Ardvark VS Ireland VS Bluntech - 5-spd conversion kits

[ryanlee]

Hi all, I finally have a suitable Getrag 245 for my '73 02. I'm getting super confused and mixed info about the 3 brands that offer 5-spd conversion kits and would love to hear which everyone thinks is the best. 

[danco_]

Just flip a coin. You won't lose with any of the three. 

 

 

I want to say Blunttech's kit is the most comprehensive though. 

[jgerock]

1 minute ago, danco_ said:

Just flip a coin. You won't lose with any of the three. 

 

 

I want to say Blunttech's kit is the most comprehensive though. 

+1 on the comprehensive Blunttech kit.

[Steven Hage]

I can't speak for the Aardvark and IE kit but I have the Blunttech kit on my 76 2002 with the 5 speed swap and it's top notch quality, everything I needed was included and everything still works perfectly like like 3 years after the conversion, 10/10 would do the Blunt kit the next time I do a 5 speed swap

[Son of Marty]

First of all we are truly lucky to have these venders competing for our dollars, all three are excellent and easy to work with and really want to make their product work for you. I used the aardvark kit and dave was great even answered a dumb question I had on a weekend afternoon.

[duckdudess]

Another alternative is Metric Mechanic. I used their unique transmission mount and short shift kit on a 5 speed install 10 years ago and am very happy with the quality and function.

[M3M3]

whatever you do, DO NOT use a kit that has a U-shaped bracket to support the back of the trans.  get one that has separate real mounts that attach to the tunnel.

[ray_]

11 minutes ago, M2M3 said:

whatever you do, DO NOT use a kit that has a U-shaped bracket to support the back of the trans.  get one that has separate real mounts that attach to the tunnel.

I think last I read this perspective, Jake/ClassicDaily responded that he has sold 60 or so of those brackets, runs one himself, and has not received any negative feedback from his customers. 

 

If anyone has had one fail, or knows of one failing, I'd like to know.

 

Cheers,

[M3M3]

18 minutes ago, ray_ said:

I think last I read this perspective, Jake/ClassicDaily responded that he has sold 60 or so of those brackets, runs one himself, and has not received any negative feedback from his customers. 

 

If anyone has had one fail, or knows of one failing, I'd like to know.

 

Cheers,

mine did.  the bracket does not fail, the bracket slowly bends down because of the cantilever weight on the tunnel brackets that are not designed to take that load angle.  trans dropping leads to driveshaft misalignment....guibo failure.  it is just a really bad design.  all it takes is looking at the load patterns for a few minutes to realize the problem.   plus, if the factory did not put the mounts in EXACTLY parallel, the end of the U could be up or down from where it should be making guibo alignment an issue right out of the box.

 

U brackets suck.  if you are gonna put a 5spd in...do it right.  attach new brackets to the tunnel.

[kbmb02]

1 hour ago, ray_ said:

I think last I read this perspective, Jake/ClassicDaily responded that he has sold 60 or so of those brackets, runs one himself, and has not received any negative feedback from his customers. 

 

If anyone has had one fail, or knows of one failing, I'd like to know.

 

Cheers,

 

I decided to try a U bracket  ... with the intent and joy (hope?!) of collecting data which does NOT support what Marshall insists must-absolutely be true. (All in good sport, of course.) -KB

[donkbike]

I've had a U bracket installed for 10 years and have had no problems after 30k miles. Car isn't a track car but has been driven hard in the mountains with no issues.

[PontiusGlaw]

The blunt tech kit is nice . Kinda wish the trans mount was different . Did not like having to bolt stuff to floor

[jimk]

11 hours ago, M2M3 said:

U brackets suck.  if you are gonna put a 5spd in...do it right.  attach new brackets to the tunnel.

+1  Agree that the factory supports in the tunnel are not designed for bending moment forces and that what is applied with the U bracket although it's only about 10 ft-lbs bending moment and 30 lbs vertical force.  One rough railroad crossing and it's all out of alignment, (unless you are a candy ass and creep across).

[Vicleonardo1]

Anxiously awaiting the KB report on the U bracket,  In the hope that mine from Jake holds up. Just trying to keep options open in case my 5 speed throws in the towel. It would make for an easier swap to put my original 4 speed back in if need be. 

 

For you engineers/fabrication gods out there  is there a way to add an additional support to the U bracket that can be easily added and/or deleted without much fuss?  Or is there  a way to shore up the original supports so they can handle the stress? Or both? 

[conkitchen]

U bracket is a bolt-on simplified answer that subvets the ture engineering on what the trans tunnel mounts do from the factory. Plus the speedo cable is a bitch to align and install with that contraption.  

 

That being said; The best method is to liberate the factory mounts (or buy/make new ones) and relocate and weld them. Should you not have a means to weld, the best alternative is to use a "bolt-in" crossmember as found by many of the rank and file aftermarket suppliers.  

 

"learn to weld, or pay the man" 

 

but what do I know.