seen a lot of posts about different overdrive transmissions. the Tremec sounds pretty nice and with my 3.07 (3.23 with my present tires) 12 bolt according to the math i would run about 2000 rpm @ 70 mph and about 150mph at 4000 rpm. (there goes my license!!!).
also which one may be the best as far as the gearing splits between changes.
i was wondering if someone has researched these enough to give us a real cost estimate and which ones will fit a factory console with no or the least modification. i bought my car with a pretty new Richmond t-10 so a replacement may be a ways off, but would like to know my options while i'm dreaming. thanks.

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To see a pic of my car, click here... pages.prodigy.net/mtbmtb/rf396ss.jpg (http://pages.prodigy.net/mtbmtb/rf396ss.jpg)

Mike,

I'm in the same boat. I've done more math and spreadsheets than I care to admit. Here's my 2 cents worth:

The T56 is great trans, but if you need to run the mechanical speedo and keep close to the original shifter position it will run into the $1,600 range by the time you're done. The first gear ratio is close to a TH350 (2.66 vs 2.52 T56 vs TH350) and the gear splits are OK for a four speed. I mention four speed because of the double overdrive.

The Richmond 6-speed has the most even gear split if you order the correct gearset. However, it will run an extra $200 to get the non-standard gearset. Real fast shifting 1-5 is a reality. You will have to move the console back and to the side to make the shifter fit. If it wasn't for the $ and the shifter placement this would be the one for me.

The Tremec's only drawback on paper is the big 1-2 gear split. It is almost 40%, Which is pretty high compared to the others (30-35%). However, shifer placement is good, x-members are available, and the 2-4 gear changes are good. The Tremec's 2nd gear (1.98) splits the TH350 1-2 (2.52 and 1.52). A 3550 will cost around $1,600, and a TKO $1,950. Forte's has a website with prices and a list of most of the necessary parts. And, it's brand new.

The Richmond 5-speed I did not consider because of my 3.73:1 final gear. However, the same 1-5 gearsets are available for this trans as the 6-speed.

I priced out everything for the TKO. All new stuff, nothing but the best including the necessary console A/T to M/T parts. It's going to run $3,800 with a new driveshaft and loop.

I'm running the Richmond 5-speed with the Long shifter. It definitely does not fit with the console. In fact, I had to work a little metal-magic on the tunnel to make it fit right. Maybe another shifter would do the trick?

It's a sweet tranny - shifts great and it's bulletproof. I think they are about $1700 plus shifter from Sunnit. Most of your other manual trans equipment should be re-usable and bolt right up unless it needs replaced - like the clutch. I was converting from an auto so I had to buy the rest of the parts.

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Scott
'69 400SB, Richmond 5-speed
'99 HD Road King Classic

One more comment - the Richmond 5-speed is not an o/d tranny. 5th is 1-to-1 and 1st is extra low at 3.27-to-1 I think. I was also changing rear ends and I could pick the gears so it didn't matter to me. I went with a 9" and 2.70 gears which supposedly gives me the equivalent of 4.11's in 1st and then 2.70's at cruising speed in 5th.

Richmond recommends 2.70 to 3.30 gears with this trans. I will most likely move up to the 3-ish range one of these days. But since I don't have to mess with changing carriers it's relatively cheap.

It would be nice if the console fit however.

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Scott
'69 400SB, Richmond 5-speed
'99 HD Road King Classic

Mike,
I just took a look at a '68 with the 3550 Tremec. It's Torker's, another member of this forum. It's sweet. It's not even funny how well this Fortes system fits. Torker does not have a console but fitting it will be a piece of cake. I have not seen the adjustable shifter that Forte's offers, but I'm going to try fabricating an offset linkage to fit it. Well, my overdrive dillema is over. Tremec it is.

I read an article in Hot Rod or Chevy High Performance about the Jerico transmission but I cant find the article. Any one heard much about them? The article said they are semicluthless and about 2500 dollars??

I've talked to Mike Forte as well. The kit for the 3550 funs $2200 and includes everything needed for the install except a new clutch disk and a shortened driveshaft. The Tremec uses a 26 spline input shaft so you may not even need a new disk. The driveshaft needs to be shortened 1.5 inches.

The info they sent me had an article published in one of the mags on an installation in a '68. There is no problem with the console. The kit includes a custom stick so there is no interference. I think the TKO is a couple of hundred $$ extra.

I don't see a problem with the 1-2 split and here's why: My M-21 has a 2.20 first gear while the Tremec has a 1.98 second gear => roughly equal. So, now the new SECOND gear will be equal to the old FIRST gear, and even better, when I hit that 1.98, the car will be moving vs. trying to start out with a 2.20.

I don't know about you other guys, but I am completely unimpressed with how my car takes off with 3.73s and the Muncie. My brother's 94 Formula with OD trans (also over a 3.00 1st gear) and 3.42s eats me alive until about 30 mph and then my hp advantage takes over. When you figure out the final drive ratio, he has the advantage.

Finally (and I'll get off my soapbox), F%$# Mustangs have used the same gear ratios for years and I know most of us, at some point, has cursed one of these cars. My daily driver is a 91 GT with 3.27 first and 2.73s in the back and even it has a better first gear final drive ratio than my Camaro.

Tremec 5 speed - 1st 3.27, 2nd 1.98, 3rd 1.34, 4th 1.00, 5th .68
my T10 4 speed - 1st 2.64, 2nd 1.75, 3rd 1.34, 4th 1.00

with this comparision, it looks like i could keep my 3:07's and get better take off (read buy new rear tire or smokem' if ya got em'), 2nd gear would be close, but a little stronger, 3rd and 4th exactly the same and then be able to shift into 5th and cruse 70 mph @ 2000rpm. sounds like a great idea. looks like i'll have to wait a while to get the funds up, but this sounds like one of the overall best improvements to go for. is my thinking right?
what's the pattern on this? is it 1-4 in the H and 5 & R on the right or is R & 1 together?
1 3 5
2 4 R
or
R 2 4
1 3 5

[This message has been edited by mike brown (edited 01-31-2000).]

gheatly,

I talked to Mike also and got the same info. My fax copy of the Super Chevy article did not come through well so I could not tell if they had to move the console back. I took a look at a '68 no console with the 3550 on Saturday and was very impresssed with the overall quality of the system. From the measurements I took it appears that it may take a little creativity to make the shifter fit the console in the stock location using a 4-speed console plate. The Tremec has a centerline positioned shifter while the OEM is LH offset. Does the 4-speed shift plate extend down into the console? If so that is the only difficulty I can see. I need to ask more questions concerning the adjustable shifter since I am unfamiliar with how they work. For that kind of money I want to KNOW it is going to work.

Mike, the shift pattern is the first one you mentioned, just like the T-5 in all late model Camaros, Firebirds, and Mustangs.

The Forte's advertised adjustable shifter is a reworked Hurst shifter. Mike reworks it to move it forward and left in order to fit a stock floorpan/console location.