need-for-speed

I hope you guys don't mind a few Camaro questions. I have to do some research before I make the decision on going SBC or BBC.

I'll be starting on my '67 soon. I want to install a 5 or 6 speed transmission. I've been concerned that going w/ a BBC will limit my transmision choices due to torque. Will a Richmond Overdrive live behind a BBC. What about a T56, or a Tremec?

69 N.O.X. RATT

I am making 450 rwhp and 470 rwt and I flog my Richmond 6 spd. I had some sychro problems, but I do not think it was due to too much power. There are a lot of guys making more power than me and the Richmonds and Tremecs are doing fine. You will like either one.

need-for-speed

Thanks 69. That's good info. Does the Richmond 6 speed have 2 O.D. gears? I know they make a 5 speed where 5th gear is still 1:1 . Do you know the model or series of Tremec that people are running w/ a BBC?

Mike

69 N.O.X. RATT

The Richmod ROD, which is what everybody here is using, only has one over drive gear. In all aftermarket Richmond tranny's 5th gear is 1 to 1. The over drives availible for the ROD is .62, .76 and .83 ?

The Tremec is the Tremec TKO

need-for-speed

Thanks! So the ROD must have a lower 1st gear which lets you run a taller ring and pinion and reduce driveshaft speed. What rear gear are you running?

69 N.O.X. RATT

The first gears availible for the ROD are 2.2 something, 2.77, 3.01 and I think 3.27. I have the 2.77 first with a 3.70 rear end. I like the gearing a lot, it is always in the power band. Makes for a very stout street set up.

need-for-speed

That sounds like a nice setup. Not only close ratio, but close ratio w/ 6 gears! I'm going to check on pricing for Richmond and Tremec.

MoMo

Ever consider a ZF-6 speed double overdrive transmission from a late model Corvette or F-body? Considering the German engineering, I would trust the ZF at least as much as a Tremec or ROD. And I understand that they can be had for less than the TKO or the ROD.

need-for-speed

Momo, do you mean the T56? I know you refer to German engineering so you're probably not referring to the T56, but I don't believe they ever put a ZF in an F-body. Of course, it's all about the factory torque rating of the transmission, in addition to build quality. What is "double" overdrive"?

thanks,
Mike

No Go

ZF was installed in some early model Firehawks...maybe 91's.

I would think the Richmond or the Tremec is the easiest and best.

I'm installing a Tremec in my 69 Nova (same as Camaro for the most part) and will require minimal mods. I prefer the internal rail shifter and the .68 overdrive...Can't wait to drive it!

:)

norvalwilhelm

I have a 8-71 blown 460 with 12 pounds of boost putting out 940 Hp on desk top dyno only. I run a Tremec TKO with 3.27 first and .68 overdrive. This transmission is rated higher then the 6 speeds and has internal rail shifting for smooth shifts.
I do not feel the transmission will cause any problems. The tremec is originally designed for Ford turning 10 second times running slicks.
Torque will not blow a transmission. It is the power shifting that does them in. Like a motor horsepower doesn't kill it rpm does.

need-for-speed

Thanks nogo for the info on the Tremec....Good luck w/ the Nova... .68 O.D. is just right.

Norv.....that's good info on the Tremec....I didn't know about the smooth shifts, that's what I want, along w/ O.D. . If a Tremec will live behind your mill, then I'll be in good shape. That's re-assuring.
I do disagree w/ you about torque. :cheers: All transmissions have a max torque rating. The twisting forces can break input/output shafts and shear gears. For example, a bore warner world class T-5 has a max torque rating of 310 lb-ft and it would not live behind your engine, even w/o power shifting. Some people get by because they have skinny tires which slip, sparing the transmission, clutch, etc. And yes, power shifting is definitely destructive. RPM is one of the most destructive forces to a motor because of the reciprocating parts, unlike a transmission. Sorry for the rant but I like to talk about this stuff. :cheers:

norvalwilhelm

I do disagree w/ you about torque. All transmissions have a max torque rating. The twisting forces can break input/output shafts and shear gears. For example, a bore warner world class T-5 has a max torque rating of 310 lb-ft and it would not live behind your engine, even w/o power shifting.


3 or 4 summers ago I blew up 3 700R-4's and 4 torque converts. I always had to have someone else repair the 700R's so I wanted to go standard. With the 4.11 gears it also had to be overdrive. I can easily pick up Mustang T5's for about $450 CDN and they are readily available. So this is what I did. I picked up a 89 Mustang T5 and as a trial put it behind my chevy bigblock and yes with a little help they work fine.
I did lots of burnouts and even in 3rd would light them up. That is 305 tires. The transmission lasted a full summer behind my blown bigblock and I sold it in the fall when the car went away to a guy who blew one in his mustang. I went to the tremec just for the safety factor of it's added beef. I know 2 different guys who will blow a transmission in any car due to there constant power shifting.
I also have and 11 second 355 nitrous mustang running large slicks and pulling the front end on launch about 6 inches and I am still on the original 89 transmission. I never power shift, nice fast clean shifts.
A friend has a T5 rebuild business and only once has he seen 1 go on a T5. Always 3rd.

SmokedTires

I love my Tremec TKO. It is a very nice tranny, & shouldn't be much to install into a Camaro. With my 26" tires & 3.90 gearing, freeway driving is once again a pleasure :D . I'm currently building a 550-600hp sbc to put in front of it ;) .

Flareside

Hey guys, do you think the TKO can be installed in a manual car with the welded crossmember without hacking up the crossmember? I'd love to put the TKO in my '68 instead of a Richmond, but I'm not clear on how much cutting is involved. I'm not worried about the driveshaft, shifter, clutch, etc., only the cutting that's required on the body and frame.

SmokedTires

Maybe if you install it with the engine. You will have to open up the hole in the tranny tunnel to get the shifter to come up thru. I also had to clearance the floor some to clear because of the engine being offset to the right.

If your installing an aftermarket tranny, then I wouldn't worry too much about hacking up the car to make it more user friendly when changing transmissions or clutches. If you know of a competent welder, your car should be just as strong afterwards & be open to other exhaust options and what not.

My 2 C's :)

need-for-speed

Norv, well it looks like you've had good luck w/ T-5's. My boss's son went through 2 of them (yes, it was third gear) in a stock 90 5.0 mustang, so go figure. I don't think he was power shifting but he did have big tires. The guy at the tranny shop that rebuilt his T-5 said they fix lots of them and it is usually thirg gear that goes. Anyhoo, I appreciate your feedback on the big block. I now know that I can use a 5 or 6 speed w/ that 454 I'm looking at and that's a relief because I want overdrive and my other option was going to be a 700R4. I did put a 700R4 in my '79 Camaro and it's a huge improvement over the turbo 350 but I had hoped to put a manual o.d. in my '67.

Smokedtires, thanks for the info. Is the Tremec a little smaller than the R.O.D. ? Looks like that SBC you're building will be baddazzz. That's some good looking paint. What color/ type is it? I want to do my '67 in something like that ((i.e. candy apple red) after I finish all the mechanical work.


[Modified by need-for-speed, 3:36 PM 1/16/2003]

LT1driver

where in the world is lumberton, Texas??

Flareside

Thanks Mike. Believe me, I wish I could bring myself to modify the '68 permanently, but I just can't do it. Partially because I feel an obligation to preserve the original '60s musclecars that remain, and partially because I know that I may want it stock again someday. What if my future son or daughter joins the NCRS? :lolg:

I'm pretty sure that I would prefer the various Tremec shifters over the Richmond/Long stuff that I've owned, but it's not worth cutting the car. Unless I find a better alternative, I'll install a Richmond 5 speed, Hurst shifter, and 3:08 or 2.73 rear. No mods at all for that setup, just a weekend of time.

need-for-speed

Doesn't everyone know where Lumberton, TX is? :D

It's 10 miles north of Beaumont....or for those that don't know where Beaumont is, it's about 100 miles east of Houston :cheers: