New RS 5-speed install - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

MudBug · 02-06-2012, 10:10 AM

Has anybody install an RS transmission from Keisler into our style trucks? I'm just wondering if anybody had any problems. The install looks fairly straight foward.
Thanks

MARKDTN · 02-06-2012, 01:53 PM

Do some research on Kiesler before you buy. Some people have great success with them, some not so much......

davepl · 02-06-2012, 04:47 PM

I've got two TKO-600s from Keisler, no issues whatsoever, but then I've never needed any service or support. But the parts seem to be top quality.

Mine were in an F-Body and B-Body, so never in a truck, but they were pretty straightforward. Converting from automatics, and I tracked down the factory pedal and clutch linkage, which I recommend. Some people prefer to switch to hydraulic, but when it comes to fabrication I figure the guys at GM in the 60s had more schoolin' that I do. Lubed up they work great for me.

Don't know what the RS is, but the hardest part of the TKO install (other than the top right bellhousing bolt for which I had to make a tool) was getting the bellhousing dialed in. The TKO is a non-flexible input shaft so the off-centeredness of the bellhousing is spec'd in thousandths, and I had to use adjustable bellhousing pins and a magnetic dial indicator to dial it all in within spec. If I had that to do over again it'd be easier to do it with the engine on a stand, but I managed to do it in the car.

MudBug · 02-08-2012, 10:16 AM

Thanks for your response.
Their RS is a cross between a Borg-Warner and TKO transmission with torque ratings of 300,500,& 600. I got the RS-500 because I might put the trans behind a 383 someday.
I'm swapping the three speed in the truck now to a 5-speed for a bit better milage. A warmed over 307 and 5-speed should do pretty good.
I,m wondering if I can get by with a one piece driveshaft or stay with the origanal two piece( long bed truck)

02-06-2012, 10:10 AM	#1
MudBug Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: tennessee Posts: 159	New RS 5-speed install Has anybody install an RS transmission from Keisler into our style trucks? I'm just wondering if anybody had any problems. The install looks fairly straight foward. Thanks

02-06-2012, 01:53 PM	#2
MARKDTN Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 2,165	Re: New RS 5-speed install Do some research on Kiesler before you buy. Some people have great success with them, some not so much...... __________________ '83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project

02-06-2012, 04:47 PM	#3
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: New RS 5-speed install I've got two TKO-600s from Keisler, no issues whatsoever, but then I've never needed any service or support. But the parts seem to be top quality. Mine were in an F-Body and B-Body, so never in a truck, but they were pretty straightforward. Converting from automatics, and I tracked down the factory pedal and clutch linkage, which I recommend. Some people prefer to switch to hydraulic, but when it comes to fabrication I figure the guys at GM in the 60s had more schoolin' that I do. Lubed up they work great for me. Don't know what the RS is, but the hardest part of the TKO install (other than the top right bellhousing bolt for which I had to make a tool) was getting the bellhousing dialed in. The TKO is a non-flexible input shaft so the off-centeredness of the bellhousing is spec'd in thousandths, and I had to use adjustable bellhousing pins and a magnetic dial indicator to dial it all in within spec. If I had that to do over again it'd be easier to do it with the engine on a stand, but I managed to do it in the car.

02-08-2012, 10:16 AM	#4
MudBug Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: tennessee Posts: 159	Re: New RS 5-speed install Thanks for your response. Their RS is a cross between a Borg-Warner and TKO transmission with torque ratings of 300,500,& 600. I got the RS-500 because I might put the trans behind a 383 someday. I'm swapping the three speed in the truck now to a 5-speed for a bit better milage. A warmed over 307 and 5-speed should do pretty good. I,m wondering if I can get by with a one piece driveshaft or stay with the origanal two piece( long bed truck)



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