T56 vs Richmond ROD

[vette427-sbc]

Im looking at a new trans for my car... Seems like everyone uses a T56 over the Richmond ROD 6 speed. Why is that? It seems like the Richmond is superior in a few ares. Closer ratios, more ratio choices, and a pretty good torque rating. I dont understand the double overdrive concept of the T56 either- It seems like most people that use the T56 run gears somewhere in the 3.70-4.11 range, which would have much higher driveshaft speeds than a single overdrive (say a .76 with a 3.30 ring and pinion).
The T56 is a bit cheaper than the Richmond, and probably shifts nicer with the internal linkage, but I cant see that as the reason to use it in some of these high dollar cars on here.
So am I missing something here? Why the T56 over the ROD?

[AMC Racer]

I was really close to buying an ROD (Code 7021626EL) with the 2.77, 1.88, 1.46, 1.19, 1.00, 0.84 gear set (supposed to be the strongest set & uses the 9DP 6th) since it had better ratios than the T56, good serviceability and didn't need to change my rear gears ... but got scared off by those saying it doesn't stand up ... but most comments were based on the wide-ratio boxes with standard 6th (3.28/0.76), so not sure if the 'EL' set would be OK?

Cost wise, if you need to change rear gears, bell housing, etc. the T56 may be more expensive. I ended up going with a T56 Magnum with the 2.66, 1.78, 1.30, 1.00, 0.80, 0.63 gear set, but haven't got it installed yet, so can't say for sure it was the best choice.

[68sixspeed]

On the ROD, If it was going to break, I think I would have broke it-- been in my car since 1998, it ran 8 or 9 years behind a 542hp 358 including probably 100 passes at the drag strip on everything from street tires to full slicks, 2 step launches at 4500rpm, you name it. Since then it's been behind my 427 making 623hp and 557 torque, around dozen passes with drag radials, it's still kicking.

It does shift a bit like a truck compared to a t56 though! Particularly at high rpm-- 6000 it shifts fine, 7000 its a bit more fickle, 7200+ forget it (back with the 358)

[PhillipM]

I completely agree with how tough they are. Mine has been behind a 450hp small block that puts over 500ft lbs of torque to the wheels for almost 10 years. Strength has not been an issue at all. The shifting on the other hand is archaic compared to the T56. Do yourself a favor and put the T56 in.

[vette427-sbc]

I have never driven a car with a Richmond trans in it, but I do hear they are a bear to shift. The only reason I dont like the T56 is because of the double overdrives. I have a 3.36 rear now, which would make 6th gear almost unusable for me. I dont plan on making this car a top speed car. My father has a T56 in his 55 chevy with a 3.73 rear, and I must say it sure does shift nice, but 6th gear is a real bogger- but this car is not really a car I want to be doing 100+ MPH in. I may have to find someone who has a richmond in their car that they will let me drive and see how hard it really shifts compared to the T56.
Thanks for your input

[andrewb70]

I have the Richmond 6 speed in my GTO. This transmission shifts just fine. You have to run the proper GL4 non-synthetic lube. This improves shift quality tremendously. I have the 2.77 1st gear and it works nicely with my 3.73 rear gears. The gear spreads are very close.

I've also owned cars with a T56. I am not crazy about the double overdrive in the T56. While it sounds great on paper, there are some issues with it when used in older cars. Driveshaft speed is something that people rarely consider when choosing a trans. In my GTO the driveshaft is about 54". With a T56 it would be a little shorter. With 4.11 gears and a .50 OD, you might be cruising down the highway at 2000RPM. At that speed the driveshaft is spinning 4000 RPM. Food for thought.

Andrew

[ZZ430]

I've been running the ROD with 3:26 1st gear in my 67 Camaro since 1998 without any problems at all. I read all the time about how hard they are to shift.

Not mine, it shifts great and I'm using Red Line synthetic.

It has a real nice gear whine something like the M22.

[HILROD]

The ROD in my Camaro shifts right around as good as a brand new T56. Maybe just a tad more notchy but no so as to notice. The right lube on the shifter, and in the trans does wonders!

[tart'67]

So I am curious about how much modification needs to be done to the floorboard of a '69 A body. I have a Cutlass and the floor is in better shape than it should be and really do not want to cut it up. The car is planned to be driven a lot. I have to build a 12 bolt that I have for it- so gears are not a factor in the cost, but would like to get milage since I plan on 7-10k miles/year. If the trans pops in without hacking too much, that may push me that direction.

Thanks

[AMC Racer]

... hmmm ... after the positive comments on the ROD, second-guessing the decision to go with the Magnum? For sure, the regular T56 with 0.50 OD didn't make any sense, but the 0.63 of the Magnum seemed useable? The ROD with 2.77/0.84 seemed a better track-gear option, but the Magnum with 2.66/0.63 seemed a better street/cruising gear choice?

[zwhitney]

I have a ROD in my 88 corvette. It's a 355ci with a procharger at 14 lbs of boost. I broke a main shaft shifting into 4th. Richmond made changes to the shaft to make it stronger but I've always worried about it.

I also have a Richmond 5 speed in my Camaro (406ci). It's taken a beating with only a few broken parts, mostly due to missed shifts. I'm going to replace it with a custom T56

[Jim Nilsen]

I like the way mine shifts. I have moved my shifter forward 6 in. making the rods much shorter. I also have the Corvette brace on it allowing me to use the C beam style connector to the rear.

My gears are 4:06, 2:22,1:59,1:23,1:1, .76 and my rear is a 3:07.

I like it a lot and would consider going to a 2:90 rear or there abouts and it would be even better. The overlap with a broad torque curve makes it capable of doing what a lot of trans setups can't do for going in and out of corners and having a better choice of what gear to use. the instructor at Raod America liked it for the gears but he was not used to the gate of the shifter and it was tough for me to give up the old habits of the Muncie/Hurst setup I drove for years. the middle is a bit easy to miss when you used to push the shifter hard to the right to go up in gears. My T56 5 spd in my 89 RS Camaro gave me the same problem , so it is me.

So far it has held up great and it runs 2035 RPM at 65 mph and I am getting 20 + MPG with it.

[68sixspeed]

I have the Richmond 6 speed in my GTO. This transmission shifts just fine. You have to run the proper GL4 non-synthetic lube. This improves shift quality tremendously.

Andrew- what specific lube are you running? I've tried everything from straight mobil, mobil-1 gear lube, redline MTL, redline 75/90NS (best so far) I've got everything apart anyway, mine as well try a lube change too. thanks- Dan