Hey guys, I have been driving my chevelle around lately and with the new gears, I'm not too comfortable on the freeway! I'm spinning about 3400 rpms in the slow lane and like 3800 in the fastlane! Since I will be driving this car more often, I'd like to get the rpm's down not only for fuel but for reducing the strain on the motor.

I read alot on the actual swap of tko's and t56's but never the cost. I don't want to be rude but if anyone has done the swap, could you give a ball park estimate. I wanna hear from both ends of the spectrum! From a junkyard swap to a full-blown professionally built trans!

I really want to get a feel for the pricing so I have a ballpark when I start shopping. I know I want to go manual. I'd be more then happy with the tko's. I don't need the t56. Oh, and it will be bolted up to my fairly stout 454.

I know I could probably get into an auto 4 speed or a gear vendors for less but, since owning the car, I have gone th400->built th350->built th400!! I am tired of going the most cost effective option of the moment! Maybe I can sell the two transmissions and pay somewhat for the new swap!!

Thanks guys!

Well,
I bought the Keisler TKO600 for my 66 this last spring and it was near $3K for everything.
This included all of the ugly and unnecessary bosses milled from the case and tailshaft housing. Also made for a smaller hole to cut for the tranny itself.
The shifter was moved to the side of the trans to the factory position.
68+ cars will not need this mod.

I have a TKO 500 in the 59----I like it but the 1-2 shift happens real fast as it has a very short 1st gear, where the 600 has a bit taller first (3.27 vs 2.91).

The 59 with 3.31 rear and 26" tires turns at 2100 at around 70mph
can't say with the 66----(at the body shop on a body cart getting some repairs done before meeting with the frame)-----but it might turn a bit slower, 3.08 rear and a .64 OD.

The 59 trans cost about $1900 5 years ago. But that was the trans only, with modifications to fit a GM application (bought this before they were GM compatible)

---but it might turn a bit slower, 3.08 rear and a .64 OD.


I will be interested to hear how this drives for you. That is the same as a TH350 with a 1.97:1 rear-end gear on the highway.


I am saving up for this swap too. I look here often:
http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/Chevelle-GTO-Impala-Kit-Select.aspx
The three kits have what you need depending on what you start with (esp. auto vs. manual). I hope I won't have to spend much over $3k as I am starting with a 4 speed. You might be able to source some of those parts elsewhere I guess. The latest issue of CHP came in the mail today and has a write-up of the Elite kit install into a 73 Camaro as done by GMJim from CMG.

I too would like to hear from others who have done the swap and see what they spent beyond the kit parts. There are always lic items. I am considering including in the budget adjustable upper control arms as it seems this helps dial in the drive line angles.

I'm more of the buy one part at a time kind of guy (easier to spend $3000 over the period of a couple months rather then in an hour:D) so I was wondering, has anyone ever done a junkyard swap? I can't really find a list of vehicles the tko-600 were stock in other then mustangs, are there any? Also, when shopping, why do some list as ford and others list as GM if they don't come with the bellhousing? Is it the input shaft? Or something else?

Thanks!

i am putting in a t-56 from a 97 lt-1 camero. by the time i bought the tranny (600.00 a really good deal!),the clutch,flywheel,master cylinder,shortened my drive shaft and all the little stuff i have around 3,000.00 in it. mine is going behind a pretty stout 396 BBC.look at t-56kit.com and it will tell you what you need to know.

rianbechtold,

I'm doing an Elite TKO-600 Street Kit, New Clutch and Brake Linkage & a McLeod Street Performance 11" Clutch Kit for $3,800 (bought in Nov 07)

DS

I'm more of the buy one part at a time kind of guy (easier to spend $3000 over the period of a couple months rather then in an hour:D)

So, open a Christmas club account at your bank, or put enough away somewhere relatively untouchable until you have enough and then buy the whole thing new. Since you can't do the swap until you have all the pieces, it doesn't necessarily make sense to collect over time, unless you simply will never be able to afford to go new. And, FWIW buying used stuff is ALWAYS a crap shoot. Ask me how I know :clonk:

I will be interested to hear how this drives for you. That is the same as a TH350 with a 1.97:1 rear-end gear on the highway.


I am saving up for this swap too. I look here often:
http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/Chevelle-GTO-Impala-Kit-Select.aspx
The three kits have what you need depending on what you start with (esp. auto vs. manual).

I'm seriously considering the same. TKO-500, 3.08 rear. conversion from auto = ~ $4k
VS.
2004-R conversion from PG = ~$2K

I got my Tremec TKO600 from http://www.campbellgeartech.com/ The owner is Carl, I sent him an E-Mail and he called me back and gave me pricing for a Chevelle.

I went back and checked my receipt and the total cost was $2,650.00, that included:

New TKO 600
Clutch
Pressure plate
Throw out bearing
Yolk
Speedo Adapter
Speedo Gear and clip
Offset Shifter puts the shifter in the correct place for your console
Roller Pilot bearing for Flywheel
Allen Head Bolt
Sales Tax

I also bought the trans oil from him and a 5 speed shifter knob that was a little more, but I could not find the receipt for that stuff.

Drove over and picked up the trans myself, and Carl took the time to go over it with me and give me some hints and tips before I left.