Keisler OD automatic

[falcon50flier]

Anyone have any update or news on the Keisler OD automatic kit for B/E bodies? Last I heard of was the failure on the PowerTour, I think I read Scott Smith's account on the thrash in MCG.

I am getting fed up with Keisler - their product marketing/project mgt on this product seems to be a vacuum. I've been in a dialog with one of their product people since last November. In May I was told by the same person the kit was shipping in June, and that I could place an order. I did attempt to order, provided my car specs and requested a quote/firm price, and..............nothing actionable since. My last inquiry (with cc# in hand) was answered that "you can't rush a good thing".

I was told that the kit is based on a 4L65E, and is supposed to be good to 700 ft/lbs. Most of the high output GM guys I see in features and on boards run the 4L85E, if you will the Turbo 400 lineage vs. the Turbo 350 lineage of the 4L65E. Is Keisler looking at having to retool the whole concept if the 4L65E won't live??

As of recent, I can't find anything on Keisler's website announcing (or denouncing) this kit, or any Power Tour update  , or frankly anything on their plans for automatic overdrive.

It is hard not to echo the sentiment I saw elsewhere in this forum on their 5/6 speed kits; Keisler is so bad to deal with, how do they stay around???

[Carlwalski]

Don't go looking at Gear Vendors if you're after the Autoshift sequence kit. LOL 
Though, give it time and they'll have it right (thanks to a little help from down-under).

From what I've seen of the Keisler OD auto trans it isn't too good, I;n no expert but a huge % of comments seem to be bagging the system. I wouldn't touch it myself, based on a Chev product it can't be good! lol


 

[Chryco Psycho]

I am not a fan either , personal experience with them , promises made & not kept [keisler]

[ShelbyDogg]

I saw their 460LE OD in an A-body, up on their display rack at the Mopar Nationals. The guy told me that they are done and ready to be sold. Complete kit, bell to driveshaft.

Rob

[Chryco Psycho]

& you believed tham

[ShelbyDogg]

No, and I would not buy their crap.   A friend of mine went through HELL trying to fit that 5-speed into his Challenger. It took snding that tranny back to them 3 times till they modified the case, for it to fit.  Now all of their new e-body 5 speeds have the modified case with a cover.    They used him to do their R&D!    The poor Guy had to reinstall his old tranny everytime to keep his car running.

[Carlwalski]

A friend of mine went through HELL trying to fit that 5-speed into his Challenger. It took snding that tranny back to them 3 times till they modified the case, for it to fit.  Now all of their new e-body 5 speeds have the modified case with a cover.    They used him to do their R&D!    The poor Guy had to reinstall his old tranny everytime to keep his car running.

Sheesh, that story sounds familiar?......oh! it's me! but with Gear Vendors new system. 

[Chryco Psycho]

I talked with a guy @ carlisle that has the 5 spd in his Chall & even with all the upgrades still cannot use any of the rear gears in the shift pattern as it interfers with the driveshaft , he was parked right in front of the keisler tent & was telling anyone not to use their stuff
 there is a picture of his car in the Mopar Nats thread , it is the red Chall with the back 1/2 tube chassis   

[moper]

I have only once firsthand dealing. That was enough. The product itself is pretty good. But the service is terrible. By good product, I mean a skilled tech can install it and it will work as advertised. But, when they annouce "available" they usually have some parts not ready, and there are always running changes, so the kit "I" have and the one "you" buy 3 months from now may not have the same stuff. They do rely on feedback for upgrades and fixes. I dont mind that, but dont sell all the stuff as "all scienced out" and charge a premium. Ask someone with the hydraulic throwout bearing overheat problem about how well it was really engineered. A part working on one or a few cars, doesnt mean scienced out. I dont like basing anything on GM either. If they started from a "clean slate", why not use the DC heavy duty deisel trans instead? I know several guys that have them with nothing but praise, so a lot of the issue is the install.

[HemiDog]

I just got a kit from Keisler and they delivered as promised.  Had all the extras and deletes I asked for.  However, I have to say the sales guy I talked to wasn't very knowledgable at all.  He sounded like he was just getting into cars for the first time.  Noticed that they are including a new panel to at to the tranmission hump in addition to the 5 speed hump they sell.
It does sound like they use thier customers to do their R&D.  Unfortunately, I see that in the software world too.  They are more interested in getting product sold and for you to buy support.

[falcon50flier]

Dog, was this an automatic kit? When you mentioned the tunnel piece I was curious, as they claimed the 4L65E kit would go in with no tunnel mods whatsoever.

[HemiDog]

No.  It was the 5 speed manual kit.  Just wanted to really comment on my experience with them.  Sorry for the confusion and almost hijacked the thread.

[falcon50flier]

Hemidog, No hijack, no worries. Good luck with the tranny install. Is your project an automatic conversion or prior 4 sp car?

[HemiDog]

The car was orignally an automatic, so basically starting from scratch.  When I get to the install (need my motor to come in first) I will let everyone know how it goes. 

[cudabuyer]

BEWARE THE GEAR VENDORS OVERDRIVE SYSTEM.  We are still pounding, hacking and cutting the floor pan for installation.

Of course, any aftermarket parts as stated by vendor "Oh it's just a tight fit"  "Only a little modification"

Total BS!!  I chose the GVO with A833 to avoid the Keisler problems and I guess it's a 50 / 50 shot.

My mechanic says calm down - he expected a lot of mods.  Will be worth it in the end.  Was auto on column trans now 4 speed with GVO - dig pics still in the camera.

Joel Biloxi out