Keisler auto OD set up, opinions/feedback needed please

Posted By: brads70

Keisler auto OD set up, opinions/feedback needed please - 03/01/12 02:26 PM

I'm getting ready to order a Keisler auto OD kit for my 70 Challenger
( 440/727). Now that these have been out for some time and some real world miles driven. Can you that have had them give me some feedback on them? Any issues? Any installation issues? I'm not so bright at computers/electronics and the controller has me a little intimidated I must admit?
I have searched the net looking for negative issues , but all I find is issues with the tremec 5 speed. And not so good customer service after the sale if there is an issue. It's a lot of money to me and I can't afford to do this twice, so if there are any words of wisdom, please help out a Mopar brother and tell me now!

Posted By: MidPenMopar

Re: Keisler auto OD set up, opinions/feedback needed please - 03/01/12 04:05 PM

I had the Keisler 4L60E overdrive installed in my 69 road runner in 2009. I got lucky as i heard now they won't include the computer controler for the trans in the kit.

Posted By: bill440rt

Re: Keisler auto OD set up, opinions/feedback needed please - 03/01/12 05:09 PM

I put about 700 miles on mine last year, just finished the car up. Looking forward to putting on more this year.
Hardest part, I thought, was dialing in the throttle position sensor with a laptop (I'm no computer whiz, either).
What is good is now they sell a control module that no longer requires a laptop to change settings, you can do it right thru the module. I "think" price on it is $500 or so?? Might want to confirm with Keisler, though.
Overall, I'm very happy with it. Shifts nice, has a performance mode switch, and when the 4th OD gear kicks in on the highway it's such a nice difference. I've got 3:91's in the rear as well. I went with a Stage 2 unit & my engine put out 520hp on the engine dyno at the crank.

BTW, I did not have any "trouble" with customer service after my purchase. If I needed any tech questions answered they were very helpful & prompt. After giving them measurements for my driveshaft it was on my doorstop in 4 days.

Posted By: DAYCLONA

Re: Keisler auto OD set up, opinions/feedback needed please - 03/01/12 06:25 PM

Quote:

I put about 700 miles on mine last year, just finished the car up. Looking forward to putting on more this year.
Hardest part, I thought, was dialing in the throttle position sensor with a laptop (I'm no computer whiz, either).
What is good is now they sell a control module that no longer requires a laptop to change settings, you can do it right thru the module. I "think" price on it is $500 or so?? Might want to confirm with Keisler, though.
Overall, I'm very happy with it. Shifts nice, has a performance mode switch, and when the 4th OD gear kicks in on the highway it's such a nice difference. I've got 3:91's in the rear as well. I went with a Stage 2 unit & my engine put out 520hp on the engine dyno at the crank.

BTW, I did not have any "trouble" with customer service after my purchase. If I needed any tech questions answered they were very helpful & prompt. After giving them measurements for my driveshaft it was on my doorstop in 4 days.

Pretty much what Bill says, the newer control module requires no more laptop interface, you can dial in shift points, shift firmness, etc, from the control face at a touch of a dial, price is $600 additional to the kit, there's no mods needed to the transmission tunnel on the E body, you will need to relocate your existing fluid lines, as they will now exit on the passenger side, you'll also need to add a detente plate to the factory slap stick shifter so you will now have an OD detente, and a shifter cable to replace the linkage, all provided, plus you'll need to add a TV cable (provided in the kit) to replace the kick down linkage, all engine applications are covered, the driveshaft will be supplied after you call in dimensions according to the instructions provided, it's a pretty straight forward swap, with a few mods to the shifter, and cooling lines, a set of braided SS lines are provided on the tranny, they are only 24" in length, to adapt/splice into the factory lines, choose your converter stall speed accordingly, based on your engine profile, and rear gear/tire choice carefully, if your 440 is over the 550-600 ft lb torque range, the longevity of the transmission will be compromised by your driving style, ie. racing?

Mike

FYI...I've never had an issues either with customer service, or Keisler products, either on my cars, or customers, and I've been dealing with them for over a decade

Posted By: ramman5600

Re: Keisler auto OD set up, opinions/feedback needed please - 03/01/12 08:00 PM

Quote:

I'm getting ready to order a Keisler auto OD kit for my 70 Challenger
( 440/727). Now that these have been out for some time and some real world miles driven. Can you that have had them give me some feedback on them? Any issues? Any installation issues? I'm not so bright at computers/electronics and the controller has me a little intimidated I must admit?
I have searched the net looking for negative issues , but all I find is issues with the tremec 5 speed. And not so good customer service after the sale if there is an issue. It's a lot of money to me and I can't afford to do this twice, so if there are any words of wisdom, please help out a Mopar brother and tell me now!

I was going to go with the Kiesler kit myself, but after they changed their kit and stopped including the controller (took $600 off the price, but the controller is $1000 to buy separately), i decided to seek an alternative and wound up ordering a kit from Phoenix Transmissions (they don't supply the flex lines or a drive-shaft, but I wanted my built locally anyway). Awesome customer service thus far (fast response,very knowledgeable and good customer feedback from past customers). They also build the trans and the converter and will dyno it themselves. They have been building these trans for a long time. I order one built to take 650HP, but they will build it to match your needs. It uses an adapter plate instead of a new bell-housing, but that didn't bother me as I figured a factory casting from GM should be just as good. If you want to PM me I can send you some more info.

-Chad

Posted By: dulcich

Re: Keisler auto OD set up, opinions/feedback needed please - 03/01/12 08:29 PM

I put one in my '71 Satelite a few years ago, and really like it. The car, even with 3.55 gears, was just a pig on long trips - noisy, sucked down the fuel. That trans was an excellent upgrade. I'm running a 340 with a little over 400 hp, and the Satelite gets around 18-19 mpg, which is the same as I get with my '68 Dart with a 225.
-dulcich

Posted By: DAYCLONA

Re: Keisler auto OD set up, opinions/feedback needed please - 03/01/12 09:48 PM

Quote:

I was going to go with the Kiesler kit myself, but after they changed their kit and stopped including the controller (took $600 off the price, but the controller is $1000 to buy separately)

-Chad

I see the "smart shift" controller listed at $649, now $599.....not $1000

Posted By: brads70

Re: Keisler auto OD set up, opinions/feedback needed please - 03/02/12 01:45 AM

Thanks for all the replys guys!

Keep em coming!
I'm just leary of the customer service/warantee...if I need it as I'm in Canada? This is a LOT of cash to me.

Question... with the new controler do you still get the 2 "modes" as before? I hope so? I don't want to have to fart around with settings when I want crusing mode or "fun" mode? Anyone have the new controler yet?

Posted By: Rick_Ehrenberg

Re: Keisler auto OD set up, opinions/feedback needed please - 03/02/12 01:57 AM

Tore one out recently (replaced with TCI X6). Was trouble-free, was a "built" (Stage 3) version, a bit over 600HP. I do think that was about the max. that tranny (4L60e) can handle in long-term street use. Most amazing part was having a real hi-stall converter that still locked up solid...kinda like having your cake...

Much more responsive shifts than 518 - no bands, no super-long fluid paths to "added on" overdrive.

Was kinda close to TTI headers and X-pipe, but later TTIs have been redesigned around the tranny.

Easy install. Fun to program. TCI's software / controller basically identical, now I'm an expert(?)

Rick

Posted By: ramman5600

Re: Keisler auto OD set up, opinions/feedback needed please - 03/02/12 04:32 AM

Quote:

Quote:

I was going to go with the Kiesler kit myself, but after they changed their kit and stopped including the controller (took $600 off the price, but the controller is $1000 to buy separately)

-Chad

I see the "smart shift" controller listed at $649, now $599.....not $1000

That info was from Jeff at Keisler. Also I went with a compushift not smart shift based on the research that I did.

Posted By: eightlitermopar

Re: Keisler auto OD set up, opinions/feedback needed please - 03/02/12 04:46 AM

What is the asking price for one of these units now a days?

I admit I have been looking for the same combo, and the lock up converter has it's advantage over just adding an overdrive...

Will be watching this thread...

eightlitermopar

Posted By: ramman5600

Re: Keisler auto OD set up, opinions/feedback needed please - 03/02/12 05:06 AM

Quote:

What is the asking price for one of these units now a days?

I admit I have been looking for the same combo, and the lock up converter has it's advantage over just adding an overdrive...

Will be watching this thread...

eightlitermopar

Packages range from $4000 to $5500 based on what I have researched.

Posted By: eightlitermopar

Re: Keisler auto OD set up, opinions/feedback needed please - 03/02/12 05:15 AM

Quote:

Quote:

What is the asking price for one of these units now a days?

I admit I have been looking for the same combo, and the lock up converter has it's advantage over just adding an overdrive...

Will be watching this thread...

eightlitermopar

Packages range from $4000 to $5500 based on what I have researched.

Thanks!

Sorry for the hijack!

Posted By: brads70

Re: Keisler auto OD set up, opinions/feedback needed please - 03/04/12 09:12 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

What is the asking price for one of these units now a days?

I admit I have been looking for the same combo, and the lock up converter has it's advantage over just adding an overdrive...

Will be watching this thread...

eightlitermopar

Packages range from $4000 to $5500 based on what I have researched.

Thanks!

Sorry for the hijack!

No problem the more info the better!

Posted By: brads70

Re: Keisler auto OD set up, opinions/feedback needed please - 04/01/12 02:01 AM

What controller do you all like best , and why?

Posted By: brads70

Re: Keisler auto OD set up, opinions/feedback needed please - 04/09/12 10:30 PM

Well I pulled the trigger, I had a choice between the smart shift of there original controler . I went with the smart shift, same cost.
Got the 2200-2900 stall convertor. Went with the stage 3 version.
About 6 weeks lead time. Now I gotta get cracking on the engine and get it screwed together. Ordered a Dana from Cass also.