Older Richmond 5-Speed in My 1969 Firebird

[Ron Fox]

Originally Posted by T_Raven

I only found out about it today in that thread. It was just debuted at sema. I guess it's rated at 800 ft lbs, is physically smaller than other over drives, and should cost around $2300 from what Frank at Prodigy Customs said. The Mcleod guy said they won't be out till march though.

I like the torque rating and the smaller size. If Frank is using them then it should be a good product.

[Ron Fox]

Would everyone please tell me what transmission you are running, your car's hp and torque rating, your 1st gear ratio, what rear gear you have, and what your 5th gear rpm is. I am just curious on everyone's response.

Thanks for the help.

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by Ron Fox

Would everyone please tell me what transmission you are running, your car's hp and torque rating, your 1st gear ratio, what rear gear you have, and what your 5th gear rpm is. I am just curious on everyone's response.

Thanks for the help.

Wow Ron I thought I had analysis paralysis.

TKO 600 w/ .64 OD
650-750hp/tq depending on boost
2.87 1st gear
3.70 rear gear
5th gear rpm around 2200rpm @ 75mph on recent road trip.

[Ron Fox]

Good one Flash.

This may sound like an odd question but would a high hp motor like yours with a low rpm 5th gear (2200) damage the motor in anyway?

Thanks.

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by Ron Fox

Good one Flash.

This may sound like an odd question but would a high hp motor like yours with a low rpm 5th gear (2200) damage the motor in anyway?

Thanks.

No damage at that rpm that I am aware of. I have EFI which definitely helps, but if you are carbed and running at maybe 2000rpm or much lower you could get some bogging and bucking I guess? I don't know at what point/scenario some specific damage might occur though. I'll let someone more knowledgeable answer that one.

[GregWeld]

[Ron Fox]

I know I know but I can only learn by asking questions.

Thanks.

[Vegas69]

Originally Posted by Ron Fox

Good one Flash.

This may sound like an odd question but would a high hp motor like yours with a low rpm 5th gear (2200) damage the motor in anyway?

Thanks.

I can cruise at 1600-2000 rpm in 5th with mine and it's got a pretty big cam on a 114 lobe separtation. Of course I only do it on flat ground under minimum loads. Big block torque.

[Ron Fox]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

I can cruise at 1600-2000 rpm in 5th with mine and it's got a pretty big cam on a 114 lobe separtation. Of course I only do it on flat ground under minimum loads. Big block torque.

Is there any possibility of damaging the motor (with a high hp or even a not so high hp motor) if rpm's go below a certain number?

Thanks.

[David Pozzi]

My wife has a Richmond 5 speed in her 73 Camaro. To me it's about as hard to shift as a Muncie 4 speed, maybe a little bit stiffer. It got a lot easier to shift after some break in miles, we use regular non-synthetic oil. Mary loves it and has no complaints, but the shift effort is more than a T56. We have the Hurst shifter which is probably easier to shift than the Long shifter, the long has a shorter stick.

I love the closer gear spacing of the Richmond, but it MUST be used with a 3:08 rear gear or taller. I drove a BB Chevelle with a Richmond and 3:73 rear gears the gears were WAY too close and close gears are not needed with BB torque. You really feel this when just loafing along from a stop light and you are rowing through the gears just to get up to 65 mph. I think the Richmond is more suited to a small block, especially a higher revving small block.

I have been told they are not as strong as the other choices out there. The Richmond has a 450 foot lb rating. This is probably a conservative rating allowing the trans to last many many miles. It does lack support of the gear train in the center which is where failures are reported. The main case splits in half so it's very easy to work on. 5th gear ratio is 1 to 1 so the drive shaft is not spinning faster than your engine.

With your hp and torque, I'd look at a Tremec or T56, especially if you want to do hard drag launches. Common performance gearing for the T56 is 3:90, but you may want to gear a bit lower numerically.
Here's a gear chart I did for our Richmond to plot shift points and rpm drops. Follow the chart to your shift rpm, then draw a line down to the next gear to read your rpm's you will be at after the shift.

FYI, a new Richmond is around $1900. The Hurst shifter is another $300, plus shipping and tax, then add a new yoke.



Here is a tremec for comparison. I did this chart a few years ago, so this isn't the newest Tremec model. Verify the gear ratios of whatever Tremec you are considering.