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Thanks to Go-Fish who asked me to join the discussion and provide information about our new product line - the Keisler RS 5-Speed. Please click this link to learn more. Join our Newsletter to stay in touch with developments and specials on the RS 5-Speed.
The article below is from our Dec 2010 newsletter. It is written by well known Mopar editor and historian Geoff Stunkard.
The All-New Keisler RS Series Takes PRI by Storm! By Geoff Stunkard - Quarter Milestones Publishing
The crowds that attended the 23rd annual Performance and Racing Industry (or PRI) in Orlando, Florida on December 9-11 got an exciting first-hand look at a group of new five speed transmissions for universal rear-wheel-drive applications up to 600 ft-lbs torque. This event, which focuses exclusively on performance hardware, was the perfect place for Keisler Engineering to debut their new RS Series line, which is superceding previous offerings with all-new internals, PerfectFit packages, more optional levels, and price points for every budget.
The RS stands for Rallye Sport, a term that quite adequately describes the functional use of these new units. Three years in the making, the RS Series is targeted toward street/highway applications, plus drag racing, road courses, and autocrossing. There are three primary factors which Shafi Keisler, Pres/CEO, says will establish the RS 5-speed to be the leading choice of transmission over previous offerings:
1. Fitment: An all-new aluminum case designed with American classic cars, street rods and kit cars in mind is the hallmark of the RS. For example, owners of 1964-72 Chevelle & GTO will get both the perfect shifter position and driveline angle with no cutting or alteration of the floor tunnel. Similar benefits exist for applications like 1955-57 Bel Air, '62-74 Nova, 1966-70 Charger/Road Runner/Coronet, Ford Fairlane/Torino, and numerous other apps that required cutting of the floor tunnel to fit Keisler's previous offerings (including the Tremec TKO). In fact, any of the PerfectFit shifter positions - of which there are more than 15 - are standard on the transmission at no additional cost. Moreover, the new main case (available Q2/2011) uses a revised shift system to provide a height reduction of nearly ¾ inch over the current RS main case, and features no less than three bellhousing bolt patterns: GM Muncie/T10, Toploader, and Chrysler A833. This means less cost and easier adaptation.
2. World Class Shift Quality: Through the adaptation of double cone, carbon fiber lined steel synchronizers, the RS Series provides a dramatically better shift quality than previous offerings using single cone brass synchro rings (Tremec TKO). The RS can cleanly shift at 7000rpm, with low shift effort. Additionally, the new guide plate and single rail architecture provides precise clean guided shifts, and NO missed 2-3 shifts - a common problem among TKO owners.
3. Exceptional Value: Pricing starts at just $2299 for a complete RS400 PerfectFit Kit tailored specifically for your application. The RS500 PF kit runs just $2599, and the RS600 PF kit runs $2999. And all of these prices include a transmission, dynamic balanced driveshaft, crossmember, isolator mount, speedometer cable with calibrated gear, backup light wiring, needle roller pilot bearing, grade 5 & 8 hardware, fully illustrated manual, and 3-year blanket warranty coverage.
But these are not the only major changes, because Keisler brings a more durable set of internals than were previously available as well. For instance, the input shafts in all RS500 & 600 transmissions are made from 9310 chrome nickel moly steel, and the gears are CNC-ground in the United States. Close and wide ratios designs are available. Starting with the RS 400, rated for any application up to 400 lbs-ft torque, the unit uses a 1 1/16 x 10-spline input shaft. The stouter RS 500 and 600 units use an even heftier 1 1/8 x 26-spline input shaft, handling power outputs of 500 and 600 lbs-ft torque, respectively. The RS400 & 500 gear ratios run the standard ratio first gear (3.37) which is ideal for small block and mild big block running differential ratios up to 3.73. The RS600 uses the new close ratio gearset (2.80 1st) which minimizes RPM drop between the 1st-2nd gear change. The accompanying chart will show you exactly what ratios come in each unit.
More importantly, as mentioned, Keisler is using double-cone synchronizers in the RS unit. Most transmissions in the aftermarket - including Tremec, Richmond, Doug Nash, and niche-built units - still use the older single-cone brass synchro ring, technology which dates back to the 1950s. Not only does the RS use dual-cone synchronizers for even smoother high RPM shifts in first and second gears, but these are carbon fiber-lined onto steel blocker rings for excellent durability - a high tech material developed by 3M and Borg Warner in the late 90s. Another welcome feature is the synchronized reverse which eliminates the gear grind found in many other aftermarket transmissions (Tremec, Richmond, and niche-built).
Moving into the shifter area, the RS makes use of Keisler's unique milled internal guide plate, which allows forceful shifts without fear of going from 2nd to 5th gear. Shifted internally, the RS transmission uses a single top shift rail, allowing the RS to be built much narrower than units like the Tremec are. The new RS tailshaft has provisions for over 15 different shifter locations; any are possible at no additional charge. Like previous transmissions in Keisler's PerfectFit kits, this will allow the transmission to be offered as a ready-to-use package with design advantages specific for your vehicle.
The new tailshaft housing will be joined by a new main housing in 2011's second quarter, as testing continues on ensuring that this new casting will be the best possible; in the meantime, main cases will be based on the Borg-Warner T45 . Again, the narrow design was critical to choosing this over wider examples when considering fitment into the widest variety of applications. For GM and Ford applications, the shifter is simply moved to the proper location on the tailshaft housing before shipping; housings for Chrysler torsion-bar vehicles will be milled to clear the factory supports in those applications, again with the shifter placed for your car's specific location so little to no modification to the car is required. Indeed, possible offsets on the RS are 3.5"wide and a large 13" long. Whether as a direct replacement for the transmission in your musclecar, or being custom-adapted to your street rod or kit car, there will be an RS solution to you.
Other features are mechanical and electronic speedometer options, as well as mechanical or hydraulic clutch releaser configurations. The latter adaptation can be done without having to reseal the input shaft bearing retainer, making changeover a breeze.
Finally, pricing on the new units has been done to help the buyer get the best value in the current economy. For folks that need just a transmission and not a complete PerfectFit kit, pricing starts at just $1499.00 for the RS 400. And for the popular Fox body, SN95 and newer Mustangs, Keisler has the RS400 with integral bellhousing for just 1399.00.
The unit was well-received at the event, with hundreds of attendees looking over this exciting new product. Indeed, the producers from PowerTV.com even filmed a feature on the RS for their online programming, and Keisler Engineering will have the latest developments shown on KeislerTV.com as well. Check it out, then call them to get your build program into overdrive with the latest in transmission technology!
Geoff Stunkard is an author, magazine editor, and photographer with 25 years experience in the automotive aftermarket. Media company clients include Source Interlink, Amos, J.R. Thompson, Good Communications, and others. Contact him at
qmpeditor@quartermilestones.com Your emails and comments are welcome. Please call us at 888-609-0070 x1 and join our newsletter above to stay in touch with the latest news.
Thank you!
Shafi Keisler, Pres/CEO
Keisler Engineering
Serving the Market Since 1991 with over 14,000 transmissions sold!
