Richmond 5speed vs. Tremac 5sp.

[BLACK MOON]

Does anyone have experience with putting a Richmond or Tremac 5 speed in a midyear? I need to decide which will be the best choice. Cost, performance, etc.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[WayneC]

No experience, but here's a site you might want to check out:

http://www.keislerauto.com/gm/transmissions/corvette_63-67.asp

 

[youwish2bme]

Cost on the Richmond is going to be less up front and require more fabrication. The Richmond can be had today in the 6spd where I'm still waiting on my Kiesler 5spd. However when I get it I know that it will bolt right in have all the parts needed and I will have to do no/nadda fab work. Kiesler is right there in Knoxville. They were at the EXPO first floor with a Green 67 Coupe if I remember correctly... Dave...

 

[BLACK MOON]

What has to be fabricated with the Richmond?

 

[richscorvettes]

We installed a Richmond 5-speed in our 67. It fits without any mods needed to the transmission tunnel and the shifter will come out in the stock location. To install it you need to reposition the transmission mount and they give you the instructions on how to do that. That's the only fabrication needed. You also need a 26 spline clutch and yoke and the two-sized universal joint that allows you to hook up to your stock driveshaft. The Richmond has a one to one top gear so, if you have a 3:36 or 3:08 rear gear, it will work well for cruising and the first four gears are lower ratios.

From what I have seen of the Keisler kits, they have everything you need to install their transmission already included and no welding is necessary. It sounds like an easier installation and I know of a couple of people who have done it and are satisfied.

Rich Lagasse

 

[BLACK MOON]

sO THE RICHMOND DOESN'T GIVE YOU OVERDRIVE UNLESS YOU CHANGE REAR GEAR. I was going to change to a 373 or 410 and use the 5th for OD. What did the Richmond cost you and does the stock shifter work with it? Thanks for the feedback.

 

[richscorvettes]

The Richmond 5-speed wouldn't require you to change your existing rear gear if you have either the 3:08 or 3:36 as those would give you decent cruising RPM. What you gain is the lower ratios in the first four gears.

I don't recall what the Richmond cost but if you do a search you will find a few places that sell them. Ecklers, for example, has them for under $2k and you should be able to find it for less than that. They also sell an overdrive 6-speed which is about a thousand more.

On the question of using the stock shifter, a four speed shifter won't work with a 5-speed transmission. Hurst and Long make shifters for this transmission. You can also get a stock shift handle if you want it to look stock.

Rich Lagasse

 

[BLACK MOON]

That was a stupid question. It would be kind of hard to use a 4 speed shifter. Kiesler's kit includes everything.

Does anyone know of quality differences between the two companies (Richmond and Tremac).
Thanks

 

[JrdnsEdu]

Blackmoon-
Not sure if you made a decision yet, but I've been walking thru this thought process for a while too... I pasted links for the install instruction/interestign info for the Richmond 5 and 6 speeds below so you know what you are getting into..
5 speed: http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/Richmond_install.pdf
6 spedd: http://www.weavermill.com/trans/richmond.htm
Their web site is also very helpful!
-Eric

 

[BLACK MOON]

Thank you