Keisler 'Perfect Fit' TKO 500 in a '66

[KiwiGT]

I need a manual gearbox for my '66 which has a 450hp/420 ft lb crate engine. Keisler Engineering are marketing their 'perfect fit' system which they say puts a TKO 500 in the narrow 65/66 transmission tunnel without compromising the required 3* drivetrain angle that others have encountered when installing TKO gearboxes in early Mustangs.

Has anybody tried this system, or have any feedback on it it ??

 

[Z06killinSBF]

The guys over on ProTouring.com seem to think Keisler is crap. I have no opinion other than that. They seem to do ALOT of swaps over their though. Food for thought.

 

[ozstang65]

I can't imagine the Tremec fitting without any tunnel mods and keeping the required angle (which I think is actually 4°). The only way to achieve this is to drop the engine height which then severely cramps the steering gear. At a minimum, the tunnel bracing at the gearbox crossmember has to be cut into if you want to maintain adequate clearance, there really isn't much room in there.

I ended up creating a gearbox mount to cater for all possible transmissions, I'm starting with a top loader and eventually going for a Tremec when the $$ permit. I removed the factory gearbox tunnel bracing completely and replaced it with a gearbox crossmember from an XR Falcon. Even so, I had to raise the tunnel to get it to fit right. The mounting bracket for the XR crossmember is welded to the framerails and I've added in extra bracing to compensate for the removed tunnel bracing.

I suppose it all depends on how much work you want to do. Research the Richmond option also.

 

[gp001]

Richmond 6 speed is the only way to go

 

[Shakin66]

"The only way to go"
Well then I better pull this T56 back out...
Nah

 

[gp001]

"The only way to go"
Well then I better pull this T56 back out...
Nah

You should. Nothin better than a real 6 speed

 

[Shakin66]

I think we have had this conversation before. If its good enough for a Viper it should be just fine for my supercharged 347.

 

[gp001]

I think we have had this conversation before. If its good enough for a Viper it should be just fine for my supercharged 347.

If it's satisfactory for you that's all that matters

 

[elaudtr]

TKO 500

I need a manual gearbox for my '66 which has a 450hp/420 ft lb crate engine. Keisler Engineering are marketing their 'perfect fit' system which they say puts a TKO 500 in the narrow 65/66 transmission tunnel without compromising the required 3* drivetrain angle that others have encountered when installing TKO gearboxes in early Mustangs.

Has anybody tried this system, or have any feedback on it it ??

Back to the question:
Has anyone tried this "Perfect Fit" system or have any feedback on the Keisler TKO 5 speed transmission conversion for a 1966 Mustang?

http://www.keislerauto.com/ford/transmissions/mustang_65-70.asp

 

[Cobra ssc]

Richmond 6 speed is the only way to go

The Richmond transmissions are an excellent choice for the person who likes to 'connect' with the car, more for the performance oriented driver. The T56 is more of a daily driver transmission that anyone can drive. They are both great transmissions.

Are there more manual transmission options if a MII setup is installed and the engine is lowered? Is anyone running a MII with a T56/Tremec/Richmond without tunnel modifications?

 

[C0V3R]

I dont believe you can get under 3 deg without chopping the floor if you have lowered the rear end in 67-8 let alone 65-6. Lowering the engine might get you 1/2 way there.

4 degrees is a bit more than ideal and limits the max safe working rpm of the uni joints

 

[69gmachine]

I need a manual gearbox for my '66 which has a 450hp/420 ft lb crate engine. Keisler Engineering are marketing their 'perfect fit' system which they say puts a TKO 500 in the narrow 65/66 transmission tunnel without compromising the required 3* drivetrain angle that others have encountered when installing TKO gearboxes in early Mustangs.

Has anybody tried this system, or have any feedback on it it ??

No, but with the stated HP and TQ, I think a beefed up T5 would be just fine for your application. Probably a lot cheaper and easier to install than a T56 or Richmond too.

 

[KiwiGT]

No, but with the stated HP and TQ, I think a beefed up T5 would be just fine for your application. Probably a lot cheaper and easier to install than a T56 or Richmond too.

I did a fair bit of research into the Keisler system, and got an itemised quote from them for my '66.
In the end I went with the complete Modern Driveline T5z system and a cable clutch setup rated for 450hp. I am entirely happy with it so far and wouldn't change a thing. I went to the Modern Driveline system because of the potential driveline angle issues with Keisler.

No driveline angle problems with the Modern Driveline setup, cheaper, and the gearlever falls exactly to hand as per factory toploader specs with the McLeod 'Slick Stix' gearlever relocation system supplied by Modern Driveline. Driven (moderately) sensibly the T5z has not given me any issues at all so far.

 

[Jimmys66]

I did a fair bit of research into the Keisler system, and got an itemised quote from them for my '66.
In the end I went with the complete Modern Driveline T5z system and a cable clutch setup rated for 450hp. I am entirely happy with it so far and wouldn't change a thing. I went to the Modern Driveline system because of the potential driveline angle issues with Keisler.

No driveline angle problems with the Modern Driveline setup, cheaper, and the gearlever falls exactly to hand as per factory toploader specs with the McLeod 'Slick Stix' gearlever relocation system supplied by Modern Driveline. Driven (moderately) sensibly the T5z has not given me any issues at all so far.

If you don't mind me askin', What did it cost you?

I'm having the "fit vs cost and durability" delema myself......

 

[C0V3R]

Jimmy - look at an astro t5 or geforce t5 if you need extra durability without fitment issues.

 

[KiwiGT]

If you don't mind me askin', What did it cost you?

I'm having the "fit vs cost and durability" delema myself......

The Modern Driveline kit comprising T5z, bellhousing, complete 450hp rated clutch set, clutch cable + spare, brake pedal and roller bearing kit (my car was auto) oil, aluminium driveshaft, cross- member, slick stix shifter, gearlever and hardware kit cost $3700. I have now deleted the Keisler quote from my records,but from memory it was about $1200 dearer than the MD kit for the same component list.

 

[Jimmys66]

Thanks for the info. I have a toploader in the car now and plan to reuse the z-bar, existing clutch, bellhousing and a shortend version of my driveshaft.

So, I'd need the spacer, trans, trans mount and support, shifter and the bearing.

I'll have to give them a call for a quote. Do you remember what they wanted for just the trans?

I'm giving up on doing a 408 in favor of a 347, so a beefed up t-5 should work great for me.

 

[gsxrken]

Here's why I can't buy the Keisler claims. When I installed my TKO600 behind my stock 351/408W, I didn't want to cut the tunnel either. I lowered the engine and trans into the car as a unit, installed the motor mount bolts, put the jack under the tail of the TKO, and it was hitting the floor before I got anywhere near the stock 3.5 degrees on my angle finder.
No special crossmember is going to address that... and the 69/70s have more tunnel room than the early cars. So watch out, unless they somehow alter the TKO where those two "towers" are on top of the case.

http://www.geocities.com/gsxrken/Mustang/100_0649.JPG

 

[KiwiGT]

Thanks for the info. I have a toploader in the car now and plan to reuse the z-bar, existing clutch, bellhousing and a shortend version of my driveshaft.

So, I'd need the spacer, trans, trans mount and support, shifter and the bearing.

I'll have to give them a call for a quote. Do you remember what they wanted for just the trans?

I'm giving up on doing a 408 in favor of a 347, so a beefed up t-5 should work great for me.

The T5z was $1395

 

[elaudtr]

Keisler / The Driven Man / Modern Driveline, Inc.

Here's why I can't buy the Keisler claims. When I installed my TKO600 behind my stock 351/408W, I didn't want to cut the tunnel either. I lowered the engine and trans into the car as a unit, installed the motor mount bolts, put the jack under the tail of the TKO, and it was hitting the floor before I got anywhere near the stock 3.5 degrees on my angle finder.
No special crossmember is going to address that... and the 69/70s have more tunnel room than the early cars. So watch out, unless they somehow alter the TKO where those two "towers" are on top of the case.

http://www.geocities.com/gsxrken/Mustang/100_0649.JPG

My understanding from "The Driven Man" who sells Keisler Kits is that the TKO transmission is modified. This is a quote from their website,
"Retooled with new internal shifter rails, true internal offset, correct shifter geometry, permanent lubrication, smaller profile for correct driveline angle and tunnel clearance. "

Their other details are here:
http://www.thedrivenman.com/KE/gm/transmissions/popup_perfectfit_benefits.html

Sorry, above is for GM-Thanks BarnStang. Here is the link for Mustang:
http://www.thedrivenman.com/KE/Ford/Transmissions/mustang_65-70.asp
"no modifications to your tunnel sheet metal, seats or console." However, I called The Driven Man and they stated that a "notch" would have to be made to the brace found in the transmission tunnel.

KiwiGT,
regarding your T5Z, is this T5 transmission rated at 450 hp?? I read that the clutch is 450 hp, but I thought the T5 Z was rated at 330 torque. I thought your engine had more than that (450 hp and 420 tq).



I also got this quote from Bruce at Modern Driveline, Inc., but I failed to ask if their T5 Z could hold over 400 torque.

65-66 Mustang T-5 450hp

New T-5z 2.95 first .63od
$ 1,395.00
T-5 bellhousing adapter plate
$ 160.00
Flywheel lightened billet steel 28oz.
$ 295.00
10.5" Kevlar\Kevlar Clutch kit
$ 450.00
Flywheel bolts
$ 17.00
Pressure plate bolts
$ 12.00
Hurst Chrome lever
$ 59.00
Hurst shift ball 5 sp. Pattern
$ 39.00
Hurst shift boot
$ 26.00
Speedo cable
$ 26.00
65-66 mustang T-5 crossmember
$ 149.00
T-5 transmission mount
$ 19.00
Speedo gear
$ 9.50
Amsoil ATF oil, 3 qts
$ 29.85

sub total
$ 2,686.35


Optional equipment

Steel Driveshaft with yoke
$ 325.00
Aluminum Driveshaft with yoke
$ 425.00
28 spline yoke only
$ 85.00
Fulcrum kit for T-5 bellhousing
$ 43.00
OEM appearance shift lever
$ 139.00
OEM appearance shift ball
$ 39.00
Lower cluster billet steel plate
$ 60.00
Slik Stik Shifter (clears shifter opening)
$ 295.00
Hydraulic kit with master cylinder
$ 495.00
Scatter shield
$ 375.00
Aluminum Flywheel
$ 395.00