Has anyone installed a Gearvendors Overdrive? Sounds like it might be a way to retain original shift pattern and tranny and still have an OD for highway use.

Thanks
Neil

If I'm not mistaken I don't think there is enough room in a vett..have you called them?
Alan

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I spoke with them once and you may need to massage the tunnel to make room for the top two bolts and shorten your drive shaft. they will send you a actual size outline to compare your space if you ask.

This question regarding the installation of a Gear Vendors Overdrive in a C3 seems to have died.  Has anyone done it?  Talking with the manufacturer, you'd think there are thousands of C3s out there cruising around with their overdrive units installed.  Talking with C3 experts, however, tells a different story.  They mention extreme interior modifications, such that it just isn't worth it.  Does anyone have experience with this application?

[QUOTE=John J. Healy]This question regarding the installation of a Gear Vendors Overdrive in a C3 seems to have died.  Has anyone done it?  Talking with the manufacturer, you'd think there are thousands of C3s out there cruising around with their overdrive units installed.  Talking with C3 experts, however, tells a different story.  They mention extreme interior modifications, such that it just isn't worth it.  Does anyone have experience with this application?[/QUOTE]

a 5 spd swap is relatively easy in comparison.  I wouldnt expect that this is very popular

Joel Rosen (Motion Performance) offered a GearVendors O/D in his cars. I have a book/catalog that shows what was available(then), and it was. There is a massive amount of "custom fabrication" needed to the trans tunnel, console, driveshaft, and crossmember to do it. If you call any vendor about their product, almost all of them will tell you it will work. They are trying to sell parts.
I've used many a GearVendor O/D units, and they are stout. Most, if not all of my installs were on motorhomes, or wreckers. I was thinkin I hadn't even seen one in probably 25 years, but I did rebuild one about 7-8 years ago.
Actually, after looking at the catalog again, Rosen was using a Hone O/D unit.

wow...I just looked at the date of the original post on this!!
I agree that the 5spd is the way to go now, but back then, there were none.
Adams' Apple38909.201724537

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

If this post is still valid I have installed the Gear Vender tranny in my 78.They claimed it was easy.It was not It became very complicated. Most all thier claims about the install were false and I called them alot. they always underplayed the difficulty. If I had a choice, I'd do the 5 spd. but then I'm a manual trans. kinda guy. Gearvenders is a great product,but strictly for the pro's on a corvette. I consider that major reengineering.

      Seriously !  Jimmy B.  If I can offer any more details I'd be happy to go into it. Did this post come though a time warp ?

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Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
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Jimmy,

You're the first peson who has actually installed the Gear Vendors Overdrive.  I have a 76, L82 4 speed and am looking into the Gear Vendors Overdrive as a solution to the high revs and poor mileage situation.  Knowledgeable people advise against it, however, saying, as you did, it required many modifications.  Could you briefly describe those modifications and, if you had it to do again, would you do what you did or put in the Tremec five speed manual?  Many. many thanks.  Regards,   JJH   

I used to have info on a place that would take your 4sp & make the 4th gear an overdive..think he was in NY somewhere.

Alan

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I have a 1981 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit that has a th400 in it. (this was under license from GM to Rolls) I installed a gearvenders O/D unit in this car and it was a bear. I cannot imagine trying this on my '72. I have toyed w/the idea of a 700R4 in the Orange Bird but I have not as of yet, although this seems to be a straight forward exchange with the 93 and earlier units. I see where there is a shift detent kit available from several manfs. I may do this next winter.

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swallace

[QUOTE=knotacare]

I used to have info on a place that would take your 4sp & make the 4th gear an overdive..think he was in NY somewhere.

Alan

[/QUOTE]

I can do that for you, if you wish!!
There is a kit out for the Muncie(late,large countershaft), that does this. I have a Borg Super T-10 in mine, or I would have already done this! I started a thread on this kit about a year ago.

This kit will actually make your third gear O/D, and the old fourth gear becomes "3rd". You do have to flip the 3-4 shift lever on the trans.

Muncie O/D kitAdams' Apple38911.824224537

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Hey John,

  Please forgive my slow response time. I do check my email regularly so you could contact me as " aceinthehole49@comcast.net".

For starters on the gearvendors box, the driveshaft alteration they described as a $75. deal cost me $200. +.They claimed an authorized shop would do the install for about $700. but I could find no one that would touch it, so,,,I took on the challenge myself. On a dirt driveway with the car up on ramps, ( all fours ).I played with it for almost a year in my spare time. Every step of the way was a major challenge.I finally concreted my driveway and put in a lift, and finished the job in a week.But not without redesigning the crossmember to accomodate the emerg. brake cable and enlarging the tunnel at least an inch in every direction. Doing the electrics was fun but the speedo cable proved to be a challenge, it points up into the body.Until I take it all out again I won't be able to really repair the tunnel damage, reengineer and reinstall.

I installed mine behind a TH350, it was just too far between gears and with 355's in the rear , freeway driving was terrible. 3000 rpm at 60mph. It has lots of potential now but between the foot switch and the hand shift, I have to concentrate to remember where I left off.The setup is quite novel but I'd give anything to go back and trade for the 5 or 6 speed manual. let me know how it turns out for ya.     Jimmy B.

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Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
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I had contacted the guy's that do the third gear overdrive  and forth stays 1 to 1 and they recomended not doing this for the street. They were using this trans in circle track racing and mostly the top two gears 1 to 1 and overdrive and changing rear end gears to get rpm they wanted. Classic chevy was great to deal with on 5 spd.        Ray

Based on the comments of Jimmy and others, I have come to the inescapable conclusion that the Gear Vendors people grossly underestimate the work involved in installing one of their units in a Vette.  It is hardly a simple or bolt in conversion.  Additionally, given that they seem to think there are many, many Vettes out there with their unit, this forum could come up with only one person who had actually installed the unit.  Now, I'm not casting aspersions on their veracity, but someone in their organization doesn't have a firm grip on reality.  Accordingly, I will not, much as I like the concept, install a Gear Vendor's overdrive in my Vette.  Have a great day.  Regards, JJH

Hey John !  I applaud your decision my man. For that kind of money, I have bought entire cars. I too, am not impressed with  thier marketing techniques. I had a lot of faith in them and I feel they let me down. I have a great product, but at what co$t.I wouldn't recomend it, there are better options out there. Good Luck Bro.

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Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
                             Click to see larger views!

If your car is an automatic, just go with a 200r4 or a 700r4.  Much better.