nitromainia

About ready to do the 5 or 6 spd thing and thought I'd ask.... I know a few of you have tried the Richmond and wondered how it worked out.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! ...Thanks

pletner

I'm interested in a 6spd as well. I know the richmond casing is just a smidge smaller than the muncie, so fitting one shouldn't be a problem.

DZAUTO

About 20yrs ago, I replaced the original weak Borg Warner FACTORY 5sp in my 76 Cutlass (when I swapped in a healthy 455 Olds) with a Richmond 5sp. The car sees all kinds of duty, including used to tow the 70 Chevelle conv and 56 Vette on a 16ft open trailer and tow the jet boat to the lake.
BUT, I must disagree that the Richmond 5sp (as well as the 6sp) is smaller than a Muncie! It is considerably bigger-----------and about 20lbs heavier than a Muncie. The length is the same as a 71-74 Muncie. The rear tranny mount is further back on the tail housing than it is on a Muncie, thus, you will need to slide the tranny cross member further back (and maybe drill a couple of extra holes in the frame, toooooooo easy).

I HAVE NOT TOUCHED IS SINCE!!!!!!!!!!
What else can I say!

dazvet

I agree with DZAuto and would add that after installing Richmond 5 speeds into two C1's that I don't feel a 6 speed would fit very well due to it's increased size. Anythings possible but it would be a chore. Also I used a Long Shifter in one and a Hurst shifter in the other. The benefit of the Long shifter is that it has a reverse lockout with a very durable sliding block type shifting mechanism. The Hurst on the other hand does not have a reverse lockout but I believe it shifts a bit smoother and shorter and is considerably less expensive. Keep in mind the highest first gear ratio available for the Richmond 5 speed is 3.27 and 2nd. gear is 2.20 which dictates a very high rear gear ratio. Since a 3.08 is the highest gear ratio available in a C1 your overall gear ratio in first gear with the 3.08 is 10.07 which is roughly the equivalent of 4.56 gears with a 2.20 first gear Muncie. All in all I feel the Richmond 5 speed swap was one of the most gratifying modifications made to the two cars but a higher first gear ratio would be more appreciated.

Shurshot

Seems to me someone did that here fairly recently....... maybe spending a little time in the search mode would reveal who.

I only looked at it briefly because I have a Keisler unit but whoever it was had to do a lot of work.

327Heaven

I agree with DZ and dazvet on their evaluation of the Richmond 5 speed. I've had mine in my '64 since 2001 and have nothing but praise for the drivability and performance aspect. I've got a 3.36 rear in mine so the acceleration is nothing short of outstanding, probably equivalent to having 4.88's. The 1:1 fifth gear makes freeway cruising tolerble. With the addition of sidepipes it becomes a whole new world out there

Glenn O.

I put a richmond 6speed transmission in my 65 corvette. I am in the process of putting a big block in my vette and I sold the 6 speed and replaced it with the richmond 5 speed that has 600 foot lbs of torque. First off I found to install the transmission you need to take out the motor and install the transmission and motor as one. I was running a blow shield for a bellhousing so I dont know if that makes a difference or not. I promise you wont get that transmission in without pulling the motor. second you have to build your own transmission mount. I liked the six speed overdrive but if you where driving the car hard (full throttle) and shifted into 6 gear you needed to let off the gas for a second or two or the gears would grind. hope this helps Glenn O. Ps if you need a picture of the mount let me know.

vetrod62

Here is a simular discussion from last year.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...d62+richmond+6

Sky65

I put Richmond 5spd in the 65 last fall. I was already running a 3.08 rear. I really like the ratios. The car is much more fun too drive. Shifting is a bit stiff but I am getting use to it. I made a a removable section in the center cross member to ease any later R&Is.

macs65

I have a couple of friends that installed Richmond 6 speeds in mid year Vets, The trany is very large and heavy. The info I got was that it is a very difficult install in an original 4 speed car. Once it is in, there is little to no room for adjustment. You must insure that the body mounts are up to the job as well.

I installed a TKO 500 from Classic Chevy in my 65 original 4 speed car in 2006. I installed new body mounts and the trany went in without having to remove the engine. Had to undo the engine mounts, drop the back down a bit, replace the clutch spline, the kit comes with a new drive shaft and every other component needed except the clutch. Works great have never looked back. 80 mph at 2050 rpm's with 3.55 gears. About 17 mpg on the highway, and my sidepipes are 50% less noisy on the highway.

pletner

My Bad! A friend of mine has one in his '68 and it fit just fine. I guess the C-3 has a different tranny tunnel.

StrayDog

I have the same questuions , was thinking tremic 5 speed.... which tranny conversion is best option ( my 66 has 3.70 )

nitromainia

Seems I recall someone that had his "Road Race Richmond six speed "massaged" by a vintage race trans guru -I thought it was on this forum that I read it... Anybody?

mrbeautie

I recommend to stay away from the 6-speed Richmond if you are at more than 500 lb ft of torque, stick with the 5 -speed. I think it will stand up better or get a Tremec specific to your app. I believe they are a stronger trans and can now be fitted with an adapter kit s you can side mount the shifter. I much prefer the internal rails. I installed a Richmond 6- speed in a 69 Chevelle, broke it in under a hundred miles. (main shaft broke in half) 600 hp, 625 lb ft torque. To fit the extra gears in from a five to a six speed, the parts are made smaller and evidently weaker. Tremec shifts are also smoother. This added to post March 2016, got a Kiessler 700 SS now sold by Silver

Tyler Townsley

Check out this link for pictures and OPINIONS.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...a-midyear.html

It is still noisy in 1-4 but changing the trans rear angle did help.

Tyler

bdhulderman

Well, let's see, with a Richmond 5-Speed I never get out of 4th in the quarter mile at 124 mph @ 5750 rpm, when I drop it in 5th it lowers my rpm down to 4630 at the same speed and with a 7000 rpm engine... Sure, I'll take another gear! Had the car up to 160 mph through Palmdale before and before I put in the front fairing, it lifted off the ground. I turned the wheel and nothing happened -- I think it's time to reduce speed! I may be able to get it up to 175 now without it lifting.

65tripleblack

The ROD 6 speed has many gear ratios to pick from...............you can custom tailor your gearing any way you want it to be.

The T45 and T56 only have one gearset, so you're stuck with it!