Question: RICHMOND 5 SPEED OR TREMEC......

[Mark Stahl]

Hi all, I have not put up a post in a bit. I have been debating changing the muncie 4-speed over to a 5-speed.
I like the Richmond, but not sure of fit up, also no reverse lockout.
The Tremec I have heard is a good fit up, but hard shifting from 2nd to 3rd in fast accelerations also heard there shifter is a bit cheap in quality?

What would you go with and why?
Thanks...... Mark

 

[skitch]

I used to work for Richmond so I can tell you that these trannys are just about bullit proof. But the down side is that they are abit noisey. They have straight cut gears that make them strong like an M22 muncie. Also it is not an overdrive trans, 5th gear in 1 to 1 just like a 4 speed. The advantage of using that trans is you can run a 3.08 gear and stilll have take off of a much low gear, like a 4.56. I hope this helps. When I worked there , I could get one for about $1200, don't know what they go for now.

 

[Mark Stahl]

Thanks!

A few questions.....
1) Who has the best price on the 5-speed Richmond and what one?

2) I think I have to use a Hurst look alike (muncie) shifter, with no reverse lockout (any other options)?

3) How much modding to get it to fit?

I really would be Greatful!

Mark.....

 

[Mark Stahl]

I found this site. anyone ever har about this?

www.autogear.net

 

[Verle]

Richmond now makes a 5 speed overdrive.

http://www.richmondgear.com/07pdfs/RG22.pdf

Verle

 

[Hib Halverson]

I used to work for Richmond so I can tell you that these trannys are just about bullit proof. But the down side is that they are abit noisey. They have straight cut gears that make them strong like an M22 muncie. Also it is not an overdrive trans, 5th gear in 1 to 1 just like a 4 speed. The advantage of using that trans is you can run a 3.08 gear and stilll have take off of a much low gear, like a 4.56. I hope this helps. When I worked there , I could get one for about $1200, don't know what they go for now.

If you worked for Richmond in a position where you actually saw a gear box apart, then you also should know that the street five-speeds do not have straight cut gears. A most basic consumer act---looking at the Richmond catalog or web site---shows that in pictures of the transmissions.

It is true that most Richmond five-speed will be somewhat more noisy than a TREMEC. The reasons for that are 1) different gear helix angle and a higher input torque rating 2) heavier duty components and 3) older design.

It is, also, true that many Richmonds, with the exception of the newer OD model, are direct-drive five speeds.

If the intent is to improve fuel mileage a highway speeds with a high gear which allows the engine to turn slowly, to do that with a Richmond five-speed having a 1:1 fifth, you usually also have to change the axle ratio. For instance, if you have a 3.70 axle, you'll want to change to a 3.08 or even the rare 2.72.

Obviously, a better choice would be the OD five-speed and it's 0.77 high-gear.

 

[Kid_Again]

...i know it's not an overdrive transmission but check this out (courtesy of VNV)->

http://www.5speeds.com/newm22.html

 

[VAroute66]

In support of Mark's decision, and because I own at Doug Nash 5 speed that I have not yet installed, I have heard that Richmond/DNE 5 speeds shift hard during hard acceleration. Is this true from those that have used them? Also, something else to consider is that there is no aftermarket trans mount specifically for the Richmond 5 speed. To compare the Tremec mounting to the Richmond, check out this site: http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/5sp_comparison.html The installation instructions address 68 and later, which is a straight forward modification of the factory mount. Seems like those that have accomplished this backfit, fabricated their own. 67Heaven shows how he cleverly fabricated on his web site.