Corvette Transmission Swap - Overdrive Upgrade

Install the new pilot-bearing assembly by carefully tapping in place. Note: The side of the roller bearing with the rubber seal faces the transmission.

Using a transmission jack or equally stable support, lift the transmission into place with the bellhousing attached by one loosely fastened bolt. Install the release bearing and fork, pressure plate, and clutch disc into the bellhousing.

With an alignment tool, attach the clutch disc and pressure plate to install them onto the flywheel. Tighten the bolts to 35 lb-ft and remove the alignment tool.

Remove the one bolt holding the bellhousing to the trans and bolt the bellhousing to the engine, but don't tighten the bolts yet. Next, install the transmission to the bellhousing. Once everything is in place, torque the bellhousing bolts to 50-60 lb-ft and the transmission bolts to 35 lb-ft. At this point, we filled the transmission with 3 quarts of GM synchromesh transmission fluid (PN 12345349).

There are two transmission mounts used depending on the year of your Corvette. Mid-years...

...and sharks are shown here.

This photo shows the different shifters for mid-years and sharks, depending on the application.

To make the shifter in the right position, Keisler designed this compact shifter so there are absolutely no modifications to the car's floorboards.

You will need to run the new speedometer cable and splice in the reverse-light harness (or you can purchase a complete extension harness from Keisler).

On the topside, install the new shifter handle and check for proper installation. Once everything is installed, no one will be able to tell there's another gear hiding under that slick stick.

This chart shows the benefits of having a five-speed.