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If going the t5 route, try and find a world class t5 over the non wc.
Did two T5 swaps in my 68 and 77 with late 80's camaro and firebird T5's. So far so good, no problems in 7 years. This is how you tell the nwc and the wc apart:
Mods are shorter driveshaft, rear mount and exhaust mount and shifter location if that matters. Not to big a deal, and well worth it. Good luck.
If going the t5 route, try and find a world class t5 over the non wc.
Did two T5 swaps in my 68 and 77 with late 80's camaro and firebird T5's. So far so good, no problems in 7 years. This is how you tell the nwc and the wc apart:
Mods are shorter driveshaft, rear mount and exhaust mount and shifter location if that matters. Not to big a deal, and well worth it. Good luck.
Hey thanks, it sounds pretty strait forward, I've heard about the WC, would like to try a rebuild on it too, thanks again for the insight.
So the trans fits in the tunnel fine, that's good news, but for the shifter, how does it locate in the console, front to back and can it be offset with that trans
Just finished putting the Tremec onto my '80 chassis. They call it "Perfect Fit" - it isn't. The installation of the transmission itself was no problem. I kept the original bell housing from my 4-speed. It bolted up to the new 350 H.O. and to the 5-speed. My kit supplied a replacement cross shaft for the transmission mount. You need this because the Tremec is slightly longer. The shifter location is perfect. Where I ran into problems was when I went to install the supplied drive shaft. It was 3/4" too long. I had to take it into a drive shop and have it shortened and rebalance. Fits okay now.
The T5 conversion is also straight forward, but easier on the wallet. Use the stock Corvette bell housing, flywheel. clutch rods, etc. but a Camaro clutch. You'll need to fabricate an adapter for the rear transmission mount and the shifter.
Before putting in a 5 speed, you need to consider the differential gear ratio.
The Richmond 5 speed typically has a 1:1 5th gear ratio. The Richmond 5 speed has a much larger "lower," numerically larger first gear. Well, just making a sweeping statement, the Richmond 5 speeds have a "bull dog" first gear. My L88 clone engine, with a Muncie factory 4 speed and a 3.08:1 rear diff just really had a problem getting moving from 1st with the stock Muncie. Putting in the Richmond with it's "bull dog" first gear was just magic.
If you have a 3.73:1 differential as in my 68 and 70. You don't want the RIchmond. For 5th gear, you need the overdrive of the TKO 600.
Bottom Line: Consider the differential ratio and the ratio of the tranny in top gear. You want to be cruising at 70 mph with about 1700 to 2000 rpms. 3000 rpms at 70 is really wasting engine wear
and grossly consuming gasoline.
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I think the TKO transmissions are slightly more expensive than the Richmonds. I think the TKO's have a higher engine torque ratings. Which one shifts smoother?...a lot of opinions.. The early Richmonds, sold under the Doug Nash name were notoriously difficult to shift new, although they were popular once worn in...they were very popular trannies for NASCAR racers in those years. I like the shift experience with my TKO600.
If you really love your C3, you've go to get a 5 speed!!!! No one will know you have one, unless they crawl under the car.
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I had my 68 converted to a removable tranny crossmember so in the future, I could remove/install the trannie so much easier.
