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Gearvenders Overdrive?

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Gearvenders Overdrive?

Posted: 10/28/04 11:13amMessage 1 of 16
Y
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Louisville, KY - USA
Joined: 11/11/2003
Posts: 97
Vette(s): 1971 LT1 Convertible PS PB 43K miles
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 |biggrin|
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Gearvenders Overdrive?

Posted: 10/28/04 12:44pmMessage 2 of 16
k
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Newark, DE - USA
Joined: 7/26/2004
Posts: 468
Vette(s): 1968 Conv, 454HO,500HP-600TQ, TKO-600,3:70 HD rear,hotrod air, custom paint & suspension,1973 Ruby Red,T-top, 383 Stroker, TK)-500,frame off restro, 1967 Dodge Coronet, 340 stroker to 406, Dana 60
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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Gearvenders Overdrive?

Posted: 10/29/04 9:32amMessage 3 of 16
s
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baytown, TX - USA
Joined: 4/21/2004
Posts: 160
Vette(s): 1979 maui blue/doe skin, fuel injected 383, 6-speed manual, hooker sidepipes, 3.90 gear
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. |smile|
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Gearvenders Overdrive?

Posted: 7/10/06 10:30amMessage 4 of 16
J
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Concord, NH - USA
Joined: 9/25/2002
Posts: 4
Vette(s): 1976 L82 4 speed w factory air, color silver, w red leather int.
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?
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Gearvenders Overdrive?

Posted: 7/10/06 1:56pmMessage 5 of 16
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Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans

[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

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Gearvenders Overdrive?

Posted: 7/10/06 6:49pmMessage 6 of 16
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 22720
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
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.
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Gearvenders Overdrive?

Posted: 7/13/06 8:21amMessage 7 of 16
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Manteca, CA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623
Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed

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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Gearvenders Overdrive?

Posted: 7/13/06 10:29amMessage 8 of 16
J
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Concord, NH - USA
Joined: 9/25/2002
Posts: 4
Vette(s): 1976 L82 4 speed w factory air, color silver, w red leather int.

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   

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Gearvenders Overdrive?

Posted: 7/13/06 12:41pmMessage 9 of 16
k
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Newark, DE - USA
Joined: 7/26/2004
Posts: 468
Vette(s): 1968 Conv, 454HO,500HP-600TQ, TKO-600,3:70 HD rear,hotrod air, custom paint & suspension,1973 Ruby Red,T-top, 383 Stroker, TK)-500,frame off restro, 1967 Dodge Coronet, 340 stroker to 406, Dana 60

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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Gearvenders Overdrive?

Posted: 7/13/06 3:22pmMessage 10 of 16
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columbus, MS - USA
Joined: 1/18/2005
Posts: 48
Vette(s): 1972 coupe
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.
swallace
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