I have a 4-speed in my 71 convertible now, and would like to convert up to a 5-speed. Was wondering if any one tried some of the kits out their, and what luck they had. I have 3:42 gears in the rear end, and I feel this would really helpnwith my cruisin r's.

What make of 5 spd, there are a few choices.
I cant say about the others but a Tremec will require a lot of cutting and reshaping the hump in the floor where the trans will be.

http://www.keislerauto.com/gm/transmissions/chevelle_68-72B.asp They sell everything you need if you do not want to fab your kit. You may want to search for Keisler. I believe some on the forum have used their conversion others have used a D&D T56.


If I had to cut the floor pan I would rather use a T56 and drop some 4.10s in.

I did a tremec from classic chevy 5 speed. I am happy.

Don't feel like cutting up the car, but I think I'am going with the Keisler setup after checking them out. Thanks for all the info!

Might want to look into the new Richmond 5-speed OVERDRIVE trans...

If its based on the "regular" Richmond 5-speed (non-OD ratio), then its a really easy swap for your Muncie...

If your Muncie is original to your '71, you might even have the same 26-spline input shaft (would even need to remove the bellhousing or clutch)...

If you have the "large" rear yoke on your Muncie (again, I think that started in '71 except the '70 M22s), then your driveshaft and yoke might fit as-is (no special driveshaft or shortening?)


You should also be able to use the crossmember, and still use a console if you have one...


I think around $3500, including the shifter, and possibly the easiest, most straight-forward swap out there right now...

Supposed to handle 600 ft-lbs of torque...

Compare the ratios too...

Might want to look into the new Richmond 5-speed OVERDRIVE trans...

If its based on the "regular" Richmond 5-speed (non-OD ratio), then its a really easy swap for your Muncie...

If your Muncie is original to your '71, you might even have the same 26-spline input shaft (would even need to remove the bellhousing or clutch)...

If you have the "large" rear yoke on your Muncie (again, I think that started in '71 except the '70 M22s), then your driveshaft and yoke might fit as-is (no special driveshaft or shortening?)


You should also be able to use the crossmember, and still use a console if you have one...


I think around $3500, including the shifter, and possibly the easiest, most straight-forward swap out there right now...

Supposed to handle 600 ft-lbs of torque...

Compare the ratios too...
Anywhere there is more info about this? Tunnel mods to a 66? There is nothing on thier site other than ava. in March 2007

Anywhere there is more info about this? Tunnel mods to a 66? There is nothing on thier site other than ava. in March 2007

I am assuming its similar to the regular non-OD version (I have heard it is, except the tailshaft housing)...

I swapped the "regular" version (actually a road race version) into my '66 Chevelle a few years ago. I replaced a Muncie I had in there... Very easy swap... One shift rod rubbed the tunnel... I chose to drop the pad on the crossmember slightly (about 3/4") because the shifter also sat pretty high (I wanted a stock look with the stock console and I even adapted the factory Chevelle shift handle to the shifter)... I did move the shifter hole and console back about 1" to center the shifter in the console, BUT my car was a "clone" (originally a column-shift auto) so I am not sure the console was 100% accurately placed anyway...

Dropping the crossmember pad was a bad idea. No major problems, but lots of little ones I didn't anticipate (headers hiting front crossmember, driveshaft angle changing, clutch linkage rubbing the headers, etc...)... Would have been even easier to slightly dimple the tunnel...

I simply swapped out yokes on the driveshaft, and it was a bolt-in deal...


I also got a pretty good deal on the trans, and I needed a rearend rebuild anyway...


If I was going to swap another 5-speed, I'd probably go with the Tremec ones... Unless the new Richmond was closer in price...

If I was going to swap another 5-speed, I'd probably go with the Tremec ones... Unless the new Richmond was closer in price...


I have been leaning toward the TKO600 but I just have not but up the nerve to cut on such and virgin unmolested car yet. In addition finding a 64-69 Olds 4 speed console that does not require selling body organs has not been as easy as a task as I antisipated.