Hey guys I am about to start the switch to a 5 speed for my dart. I was woundering what trany I should use? Remember that my slant will be at about 400lbs at 12 psi. I am looking for ideas.


Andrew Wagner

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I will not live without boost again. I just like the sound of the blowoff valve.

Well, you could check out - Slantsix.com - Members Slantsix's section - Page 12 - My Canadian Valiant Custom 100. He used something called a Furd RAD 5sp. A light duty piece but I guess the process would be the same for a heavy duty tranny. Or the Keisler. Orrrrr, maybe a quick-change rear would do it.

Andrew,

With that much power, you may be overtaxing a T5, unless it is seriously tweaked. The Tremec 3550 is the next step up and would likely do the job just fine. Check out Ford Racing as I believe they have a Cobra model TR3550 for just a little more than their WC T5 - maybe $1300 or so. Summit probably sells them. The monster option is the TKO, which will handle anything, but weighs 110 lbs (still less than a stock iron 833 at 120). Keisler Engineering could sell you a whole kit, I believe.

You might want to start with a later truck Slant 6 bellhousing (5.125" front hole for OD 833), which is what I'm using and it will house a 10" clutch. Others have used V8 safety bellhousings redrilled, and AndyF at AREngineering.com is working on a Sl6 motor to A-engine adapter plate too.

Sounds like fun!

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

That's BIG news, Lou, thanks. I needed that.

Hi Andrew. Send me your e-mail at spowell786@ aol.com and I will send you a couple of photos of my t-5 conversion sitting on a motor dolly before installation.

The easy way to do it would be to run the /6 to SB conversion plate and then just bolt on a SB bellhousing from Keisler and a TKO 5 speed. That is basically a bolt in operation.

You can find a OEM /6 to SB conversion plate in the wrecking yards on early '60s trucks. They are cast iron and about an inch thick. I'm getting tooled up to reproduce these units from billet aluminum and should have parts available this fall.

My last sojorn to the kiesler site seems to indicate they have a \6 bellhousing already setup. No need for an adapter plate.

What I see on the Keisler site are reproduction /6 bellhousings which they'll drill to accept the TKO. I'm not sure what size of clutch they'll handle though. Suppose one would have to call them to see for sure.

AndyF,

When these plates are made available in aluminum what thickness will they be? Will they be 1" thick like the original cast iron ones? I am definately interested. I have a smallblock blowproof just waiting for an adapter. Any Idea of the cost?

Thanks,

Rick

Hi Rick,

I'm planning on making them thinner if possible. Hopefully 3/4 will work but if not, I'll go with 1 inch material. I'm not sure on cost yet but it won't be dirt cheap. The piece of billet to start with is fairly expensive as is the time on the CNC machining center. Probably end up in the $300 range for both parts. That would be a finished kit ready to bolt in with dowel pins and long crank bolts included.

Andy

I talked with keisler. You have to send your bellhousing to them so that they can machine it. I asked them if they would quote me a complete system and they ever sent anything or contacted me. I will wait on the adaptor that you are making. I will go with a 6 speed instead.

Andrew

Andyf
I will be calling you for a set of those wilwood caliper adaptors soon!!! They look sweet!!

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I will not live without boost again. I just like the sound of the blowoff valve.

Andrew,

I think the Richmond 6 speed has external shifter linkages and is quite big. You might consider the T56 from a late model Cobra Mustang or Camaro or Vette. That is the route I have looked at that seems best.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988