Engraver

I just heard from the transmission shop that pretty much everything in my muncie 4 speed will need to be replaced. Total bill would be $1373. I told him to hold off and I would let him know tomorrow if he should go forward or not.

The vette is a ’69 big block. I pulled the old motor that was a 73 big block casting, found a correct block with a casting date of one month before the body date and am building from that. I purchased a set of AFR 305 heads for it along with $6000 worth of other goodies.

Question: What would you guys do? Spend the $1373 to repair the original Muncie (that has a matching number to the car’s id number) or buy a new Richmond 4 speed for $1400 or a Richmond 5 speed for $1800? If I go with the Richmond 4 speed can I use all my linkages and shifter from the Muncie? Is the Richmond a better transmission? Can it take more punishment than the Muncie?

WA 2 FST

I would get the 5-speed. I don't know much about the Richmond 4-speed. The nice thing about the 5-speed is you'll be able to run less rear gear if you like b/c it has much lower gearing in 1st than the Muncie.

And yes, it is much stronger than the Muncie. Mine has not wimpered at all in my application, and its a strong running street car.

I'd put the Muncie in storage.

Wrencher

I'd go with the 5 speed, but SAVE THAT MUNCIE! It only matches once, and you may find you want to fix it later...

Hans

zwede

... or the Tremec TKO. Unlike the richmond 5-speed the TKO has an overdrive 5th gear. Whatever speed you turn 3000 rpm at now will be 2000 rpm with the TKO. I paid a total of $2k for my TKO including all the extra parts needed. My Muncie M20 is resting up in the attic.

SteveG75

Best $2k I ever spent.

Gordonm

I paid 2400 for my TKO total for everything. Best mod done to date. I would not spend 1300 on a Muncie. I put 600 in mine and it works OK but the TKO blows it away. I am running a 3.70 gear and cruise at 2200 at 70 mph. My numbers matching Muncie is gathering dust under the workbench.

Go with the 5 speed over the 4 speed.

PRNDL

getting the message? If I was in your shoes I would buy the TKO, or the Keisler (sp?) kit which is the same trans pre-modded to fit the vette. Then at my leisure I would read up on rebuilding muncies, buy parts and try to rebuild the original trans myself.

markdtn

71coupe

Go with the Richmond 5 speed. BTW - what's wrong with the Muncie?

Engraver

Thanks for the help everyone. I was checking out Keisler's website. What do they do to the TKO so it will fit above the crossmember so it doesn't need to be cut? I like the idea of not having to cut it. The 5wpeedtransmissions.com site says I'll need to cut it in two but the Keisler says I won't. Are they the same transmission?

vettfixr

Go with the 5 speed if dollars permit. If you're on a tight budget why put $1300 into repairing the muncie when you can get a new Richmond 4 speed with 2.88 low gear for $1389 from Summit. Just my $.02. Good luck.

mvftw

I was quoted $400 for a rebuild for my ST-10...

75rag4sp

I would go with the Keisler 5 speed TKO 600. 650 Max HP, no body modification. Some of the Richmands require modification to the cross member or the shifter. Keisler repositions the shifter and modifies the case to fit perfectly. I have yet to hear anyone that has made the change say they regret it. The only problem is a 12 week lead time and a $1000 deposit to build it.

Patrick73

You have several excellent options as noted above. Also, I believe that Van Steel does excellent rebuild of Muncie 4 speeds for about $425.00. Of course you have additonal costs of shipping, installation, etc., but they have exellent reputation and are great to work with.

Engraver

Here is the itemized quote from the Transmission shop. We looked at the parts together and agreed these were the parts that needed replaced.
$110.00 1st
$106.00 2nd
$62.50 3rd
$80.00 Rev m/s
$55.50 R Rev
$28.00 F Rev
$93.00 3-4 synchro
$93.50 1-2 synchro
$138.50 Input shaft
$189.50 Counter gear
$84.50 Small parts and seals
$40.00 Freight

subtotal $1081
Labor $225.00
Tax $67.67
total $1373.67

Wrencher

WOW! I've been building standard transmissions for years and that's the longest list I've seen. All that's salvagable is the output shaft, the case and 4th gear? Throw it in a box and replace it.

Hans

DJ Dep

If you want to replace the Muncie WITH a Muncie, you can get the M22 rock crusher in an improved version here:

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

Price isn't that far away from what your rebuild will cost, and you have a much stronger unit.

Dep

Engraver

Okay,I called the transmission shop and told them to do nothing. I'm thinking Keisler. I see on Keisler's web order form they have a place for what is called "Discount Code". Any ideas where to look for a discount code? Do they advertise in a magazine and list a discount code there?

GTR1999

Those parts are being marked up a LOT!
You can check pricing on www.5speeds.com You can rebuild it for much less as long as the housing is still good.A 5 speed is nice for s driver.
Gary

jrzvette

That's a lot of $$$. I bought a rebuilt Muncie M-20 about 1 1/2 years ago and it cost $900.00 (plus the guy gave me $75.00 for the old case, which was about all that was worth salvaging). Of course its not matching numbers, but neither was th one I pulled out of the car.

As others have said, if you go with a replacement hang on to the original one. It could come in handy if and when you decide to sell the car.