Anybody swapped in one of these tranny's? I'm thinking about running it in my '69 but am trying to decide what to buy. What are your thoughts on this tranny?

What parts would be needed to swap this into a '69? ie special cross member, clutch, shift linkage, bellhousing etc.

I will be running a 383 SBC, and 12 bolt with 3.73's.

I swapped a Richmond 5-speed into my '67. What a lousy transmission, no support from Richmond either. Or Hurst for their shifter that liked to leave the trans in 1st with the shifter in the neutral gate (some welding fixed that problem).

Oh, install, same crossmember moved back. Lined up front x-mbr hole with rear frame hole, drilled new hole on each side and bolted up.

Used a 26 spline clutch disk and a TH400 yoke on driveshaft. Was an auto to stick conversion so cut hole in floor pan too. I found out later that it isn't in the 'proper' location and would need a different handle on the shifter to place it correctly.

Used stock clutch linkage and bellhousing. Personally I think a T56 would be a better swap. Or if just a moderate powered cruiser a WC T5.

Bob.

I would recommend a Tremec TKO (500 or 600) over a Richmond any day. I have heard from a number of people that the Richmonds have had a lot of problems. There are some out there that have had good luck with them but I think the bad one outweight the good ones. I have heard only good things about the Tremec TKO line which is why I bought one. Since this is a fairly expensive item, I didn't want to have problems. For what it's worth. Good luck. graemlins/beers.gif

I have run, and really like the Richmond "pro-shift" 5-speed(race only trans).
My buddy has the street model Richmond 5-speed, and hates it. He says his old muncie shifts better than the Richmond.
Chris

Originally posted by smits67:
. . .My buddy has the street model Richmond 5-speed, and hates it. He says his old muncie shifts better than the Richmond.
Chris Ditto with that one. Many an old Muncie shifted better then this 5-spd. I've been running ATF in my 5-spd now. Just regular valvoline. Flushed it a few times by running it, draining it while hot and then refilling (ATF is cheap).

Best it has ever shifted, if it can ever be said that it shifts OK.

One reason they don't shift well is that the needle bearing cages for the gears drag on the main shaft. Syncro has work a tad harder to line of the parts. . . (Now ask me how I know this).

Bob.

Well I had an LT1 & T56 combo but sold it, I wanted to simplify my car by going with a carbed 383 SBC, I thought the Richmond tranny is an easier bolt in for an older style SBC in a 1st Gen, as well the torque ratings are the same at 450 ft-lbs and I liked the ratio's better in the Richmond vs the T56.

I just sold my 4th gen Trans Am, it was putting down 415 rwhp and the T56 was starting to show signs of going on it's way out. I figured the Richmond must be a stronger piece.

Hey Ry,

There is a group by going on here for the TKO 600

http://p067.ezboard.com/fprotouringgmachinesfrm17.showMessage?topicID=297. topic

[ 06-17-2004, 02:35 PM: Message edited by: 69Huggrrr ]

Check out www.classicchevy5speed.com (http://www.classicchevy5speed.com) - I would be glad to help Team Camaro with a discount for a group purchase.
Email me if interested.
Jeff

I have been using the richmond 6 speed since 1998-- yes, the M20/21/22 shifted easier, and lets face it, it is easier to shift a 4 speed faster than a 6 speed just because the 2-3 shift is a lot easier on a 4 speed gate (just push up and to the right!)

I can also say it is one tough well built unit-- mine sees the track a couple times a year and I've launched it both off the clutch and gas, and on a 2 step, with slicks, 1.6's for 60 ft times and no breakage.

Install on the 6 speed does require modifications to the tranny tunnel on the drivers side to clear the linkage. The tranny otherwise fit fine and the clutch linkage works as stock.

http://home.comcast.net/~danieltonn/tranny0001.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~danieltonn/tranny0002.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~danieltonn/tranny0003.jpg

Hope it helps.