Richmond 5-speed

[TnBlkC230WZ]

Hey, the other day I drove a friends BB chevelle with Richmond 6 speed, it had a 3.40 ish rear gear or so and it had WAY too many gears. I was shifting my arm off just crusing around! I talked to the owner and he just skips every other one!

Our 73 Camaro isn't bad with the 3.08's but I wouldn't want anything closer at all, meaning no lower rear gear than 3.08 and very possibly higher.
What ratios above 3.08 are available for a 12 bolt? I have a Richmond catalog but it starts at 3.08. Where can you get a 2.73?
David

Maybe we should start a thread on the general drive train forum. I would like the 2.73 axle and a 3.27 first as well. I like the idea of lower drive line speeds. My M-21 and 3.73 axle have an 8.2:1 ratio. So and 8.9 with the 2.73 axle would be a win. That or a six speed with a 3.08 would be great.

[mikes69z]

Maybe we should start a thread on the general drive train forum. I would like the 2.73 axle and a 3.27 first as well. I like the idea of lower drive line speeds. My M-21 and 3.73 axle have an 8.2:1 ratio. So and 8.9 with the 2.73 axle would be a win. That or a six speed with a 3.08 would be great.

I believe you can get 2.73 gears for a 10 bolt, it's just the 12 bolt (8.875 C) that's hard to find parts for.

I think West Coast Diff sells a 2.73 gear set for GM 8.5 and 8.625 rears if you're interested.

[mikes69z]

mike,
lots of things 1 richmonds shifter...sux! i called them several times(at the time) and they were not very helpful, 2 third gear pulled alot harder in the muncie with 456's then third in the richmond, and 3 crappy shifting with more shifts!!! i was not happy with it at all. over the years ive had pretty much everything for a trans in this car, m22, th350with tight convert, th350 w/4500 stall, richmond 5 speed, and now a t56...

Ahh...

Makes sense now Jason.

Sorry to hear your 4+1 shifted so crummy. Mine is like butter both on the up and down shifts - love it. I think it's actually getting better and better with more miles on it :-)

[Kenova]

Mine is like butter both on the up and down shifts - love it. I think it's actually getting better and better with more miles on it :-)

Mike, are you using the Hurst shifter or the Long shifter? From what I've heard, there is a substantial difference between the two.

Ken

[mikes69z]

Hi Ken,

I have the Hurst shifter on mine. I don't think I could fit the Long shifter in my car without modifying the trans tunnel.

My install involved no cutting or welding :-)

[71OLDS]

I have the road race 5 spd in my Olds. 1st gear is a 3.04..then 2.13, 1.57, 1.24, 1.00...ran w/3.31 rear for a while but swapped to 2.73 w/new motor upgrade.

Hoping the 8.3 (3.04 x 2.73) will work OK at the track and for street driving and that the trans will survive w/around 600 ft lbs...I'd like to have the car back on the road in 2008 but it may be 2009...

[jasonsnova]

with 600ftlbs of torque you may be pushing your luck with that trans.... good luck..

[71OLDS]

I agree Jason. Should be about 480 ft lbs at the wheels at best (around 4200 RPM). Richmond did say the Road Race 5 speed is stronger then the standard which is rated at 450 ft lbs but wouldn't confirm what the road race is rated to. I talked to one of the tech guys and he said I "should" be OK w/my Nitto Drag radials with a 3000 to 3500 launch...but a 5000 RPM clutch dump w/slicks would not be good.

We'll see. I will be driving the car hard. If the trans goes will upgrade to one of the stronger T56s....would be a shame if I have to. I love the road race 5 speed. Everything was selected w/my 2.73 rear gear and my tall 305/45/18s to allow me to go 0-60 in 1st gear, cross the traps in 3rd at peak RPM and still cruise on the hwy at 75 mph in 5th gear at 2400 RPM...I've yet to find anyone that can build this trans to be stronger and I don't like the gearing of the new Richmond w/overdrive.

[7TSS]

I agree Jason. Should be about 480 ft lbs at the wheels at best (around 4200 RPM). Richmond did say the Road Race 5 speed is stronger then the standard which is rated at 450 ft lbs but wouldn't confirm what the road race is rated to. I talked to one of the tech guys and he said I "should" be OK w/my Nitto Drag radials with a 3000 to 3500 launch...but a 5000 RPM clutch dump w/slicks would not be good.

We'll see. I will be driving the car hard. If the trans goes will upgrade to one of the stronger T56s....would be a shame if I have to. I love the road race 5 speed. Everything was selected w/my 2.73 rear gear and my tall 305/45/18s to allow me to go 0-60 in 1st gear, cross the traps in 3rd at peak RPM and still cruise on the hwy at 75 mph in 5th gear at 2400 RPM...I've yet to find anyone that can build this trans to be stronger and I don't like the gearing of the new Richmond w/overdrive.

If it fails, you should look into a G-Force GF-5R. Looks the same but it is all new and made by G-Force. Their clutch assisted version can still handle something like 1300 hp. Same idea as your richmond with 1:1 final 5th gear. You can choose your ratios in 1st thru 4th. Kinda pricey though.

[71OLDS]

Thanks for the suggestion 7TSS, and thanks to Mark (ML67) for his detailed break down of the G Force GF-5R trans.

I agree that would be a better replacement then the tranzilla T56 if my Road Race 5 speed dies. I'm hoping it won't but not having to change the rear end gear or do tons of interior mods to install it makes a big difference.

-Joe

[jasonsnova]

if it fails and your gonna spend big bucks go t56! ive had a m22 4speed, autos, a richmond 5 speed and now the t56(d&d prepped) and ther is no comparison, and dont let these guys worry you too much with the whole driveline speeds, maybe a issue with a stock drive shaft ?? i put a dennnys nitrous proof in mine and have no vibrations .......i just luv haveing 411's and cruising the hwy at 80mph at 1900rpms!! its kinda like having your cake and eating it too!! lol!

[mikes69z]

Well, I guess we can agree to disagree on the issue of critical speed. I think it's important and would recommend running the calculations regarding your intended use before making any decision on gearing for your car. See the attached link and the second page has a calculator. There are also other sources on the 'net :-)

http://www2.dana.com/expert/wc.dll?cvsp~Decrits~