New Richmond Trans: Super Street 5spd

[ScotI]

I was surfing through the web & came across the product 'news' release for a new 5spd from Richmond. Stats were 600# torque capacity, 2.89 1st gear, .77 5th gear, & better (stronger/bigger) internals.

http://www.richmondgear.com/NEW5withOD.html

I googled Summit Racing & they list them in their catalog so I guess they've been around for a bit. Anyone have any other info about these?

[BeCool68]

I recently purchased this transmission in a 68 540 BB camaro and have about 200 miles on it so far. I needed a strong transmission and I felt this was a good transmission for my application. This transmission comes with a Long Shifter that makes shifting a ton of fun. I currently run a 308 gear and with the .89 first gear was a perfect match for my application. At 70 mph with 25" tire I cruise at 2200 rpm's.

I owned Richmond's 5 speed Road Race tranny 1:1 5th gear, before this one. I have always been pleased with their close ratio transmissions for drag or road racing and this one seems to be another quality built transmission by Richmond.

I did have to purchase a new cross member and drive shaft(current drive shaft was to long) but had no issues installing.

Hope this helps. Greg

[ScotI]

Always nice to have more choices when spending hard earned $$.

[chicane]

Im guessing the question now is... what exactly do you want/need to know??

We just happened to be racing the very first of these transmissions at Bonneville this week... its installed in a '32 with a big block that would make most cringe.

[race-rodz]

ok..so im not a huge fan of the "feel" of internal rail shifted trannys, but other than that is the extra grand warranted over a tko600?

very close ratios, same tq ratings.....what am i missing for the extra $$$?

[ScotI]

Originally Posted by chicane

Im guessing the question now is... what exactly do you want/need to know??

We just happened to be racing the very first of these transmissions at Bonneville this week... its installed in a '32 with a big block that would make most cringe.

Sometimes people know more about this stuff than what can be seen in print. I was curious about possible differences (or lack of) vs. what they previously offered.

How did that torque rating jump to the magical 600# mark? Just a marketing tactic to seem competative vs. TKO600's?

[chicane]

Originally Posted by ScotI

Sometimes people know more about this stuff than what can be seen in print. I was curious about possible differences (or lack of) vs. what they previously offered.

How did that torque rating jump to the magical 600# mark? Just a marketing tactic to seem competative vs. TKO600's?

The gear component material has been improved upon... they took out some of the helical angle of the gear and they improved the internal case support areas for the cluster shaft. That alone is what is going to give its boost in strength over the last configuration... considering that it is nearly the same as the non OD trans itself.

The gear material... is, I believe closer to a 9310 composition. That and the gears themselves are measurably wider. And as we all know, when it comes to strength... any increase in surface area will normally lead to an increase in overall component strength due to the mechanical load being displaced over a larger surface area.

The weakness of the non OD (older 5 and 6 speed cases) had a problem with the cluster and main shafts seperating and consequently... blowing the teeth clean off of the main and cluster gears. The additional case support material helps to combat this problem.

The helical angle change has a direct effect and increase in strength. It makes a little more gear noise from being closer to a straight pitch... but it still has enough in it to keep the noise under control.

Although I do know and like Leonard... and he makes some good stuff... I dont however like the notchiness of his gate shifter. If you spend some time inside the shifter mechanism itself... it can be tuned (modified) to make it less 'square' when rowing through the gears.

Is it competative to the likes of a TKO?? That is a good question. Both designs have their limiting factors... and both have had their respective issues concerning strength over the last decade. But... they have both been improved upon... by leaps and bounds I might add.

The biggest things against the Richmond are it's size and weight... and the LONG shifter. The shifter can be improved upon and it is made up of quality components. External shifters have always been hard to beat. But its size and weight... and the shifter placement can be a turn off for some.

The biggest things against the TKO are weak internal rods and its notchy shifting out of the box. The rods can be replaced with aftermarket and the overall trans needs a tune up for any serious use. Stretch the energizer springs, sand (or glass bead) the hubs, de-burr the rails and add about 0.010 to 0.015" to the cluster preload... and its good to go.

Marketing ploy ?? I dont believe so. I have delt with both of these transmissions enough (since the begining of the ROD and the inception of the "World Class" T5) to call BS when I see it. Both of these individual transmissions have stepped up their game in the past 3-5 years.

I would consider these to be competative units... but one is smaller and lighter than the other. I would lean toward the TKO myself... but that is merely just a choice from experience.

[ScotI]

Chicane..... I didn't think it was just 'hype' but you can never tell w/marketing these days. The only way to find out was to ask others that might have more insight to share their knowledge.

Thanks for the info. Looks like either will get the job done.