Richmond vs Tremec
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Richmond vs Tremec
Can anyone give me some tranny advice. I have an 80 with a 383, Dart Heads, Isky Hi Energy 268 Cam, TRW Pistons, Fluid Damper Balancer, Vette B&P Suspension, ect,ect. I'm in the process of replacing a Performer Intake and 780 Holley with a S/D TPI setup with a TPIS Bigmouth Intake, SLP Siamese Runners, a 52MM Throttle Body and a ported Plenum from CorvettePlenum. As soon as that is done and tuned correctly I want to pull the original Super T-10 out and replace it with a Richmond 6 speed or a Tremec 5 speed. I just don't know which would be a better swap. I don't race the car at the track. Just occasionally on the street when someone in a Mustang thinks he has found easy prey in a 190HP C3. That may not happen as much anymore since I replaced the old Headman Headers and Flow Masters with Hooker Super Comps and Sidepipes. Anyway, the car has a 4.11 rear which I will probably replace with a 3.90 or a 3.73 but I don't know which Tranny to use. I want an overdrive gear so I can take the car on longer trip without cruising at 3000 RPM at 60 MPH. Any advice for a new guy on the site? Thanks in advance. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 3
From: Clinton IL
Right now I am running a Richmond 6 in my 69 Vette. In the next couple of months I will be installing a TKO600 from Keisler in a project 69 with the same rear gears as you.
This subject has been debated over the years and if you run a search you will find much to consider. In a nutshell, the Richmond does not require drive shaft mods, but does require a cross member mod to clear the bulkier rear portion of the unit. They work very well and come in a couple of different first gear options. They have external shifter rods that require adjustment.
The TKO from Keisler comes with a new drive shaft and other related swap hardware. While not as sexy as SIX gears, the fifth gear has nearly the same final drive as the ROD. In fact, the only overdrive gear in the ROD is sixth. The TKO has an internal rail shifter mechanism that is nice and tight with no adjustment headaches.
The ROD comes in right at $3K and you still need to buy a clutch and modify your cross member. The Keisler I just bought with a clutch kit, flywheel, and forum group discount comes in just shy of $3,800.
In a few months I will be able to compare apples to oranges and have a non-bias opinion of which seems to work the best.
This subject has been debated over the years and if you run a search you will find much to consider. In a nutshell, the Richmond does not require drive shaft mods, but does require a cross member mod to clear the bulkier rear portion of the unit. They work very well and come in a couple of different first gear options. They have external shifter rods that require adjustment.
The TKO from Keisler comes with a new drive shaft and other related swap hardware. While not as sexy as SIX gears, the fifth gear has nearly the same final drive as the ROD. In fact, the only overdrive gear in the ROD is sixth. The TKO has an internal rail shifter mechanism that is nice and tight with no adjustment headaches.
The ROD comes in right at $3K and you still need to buy a clutch and modify your cross member. The Keisler I just bought with a clutch kit, flywheel, and forum group discount comes in just shy of $3,800.
In a few months I will be able to compare apples to oranges and have a non-bias opinion of which seems to work the best.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 4
From: North Port Fl
I plan to put one of these trans's in my car in the next year, and am leaning towards the Tremmec. I have a question for 69Myway, if you don't mind. Why are you replacing the Richmond OD trans? What is wrong that you would spend another $3800 and all the work, when you have already spent $3000 or more and a bunch of work for the Richmond trans?
Thanks, Larry
Thanks, Larry
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: South Africa
Originally Posted by ljthe2nd
I plan to put one of these trans's in my car in the next year, and am leaning towards the Tremmec. I have a question for 69Myway, if you don't mind. Why are you replacing the Richmond OD trans? What is wrong that you would spend another $3800 and all the work, when you have already spent $3000 or more and a bunch of work for the Richmond trans?
Thanks, Larry
Thanks, Larry
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 3
From: Clinton IL
Originally Posted by ljthe2nd
Oh, that would explain it.
I am doing a 69 Vert for a friend which includes the TKO600, RamJet 350, VB&P performance plus suspension, steeroids, hydraboost, dakota digital dash, and Hotrod a/c.
No changes planned for my 69. I personally love the ROD6, but am excited to see what the TKO does in this project car.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3
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Richmond vs Tremec
Thanks for the quick response 69Myway. I spoke with Keisler and drove to Carlisle, PA for the Hotrod Swap Meet to meet with them ( 250 miles from my home ) but they had left Saturday because of heavy rain. I was supose to take a ride in a 69 Vette that had a Tremec 5 speed in it but I don't blame the guy for not bringing it out in such lousy weather. They quoted me $3,200.00 for all I would need to swap out my T-10. When you installed your Richmond did you have to use an adapter to bring the shifter through the stock location? How much trouble was it to relocate the cross member. My car is an original 4 speed car but has a bolt in cross member. Kiesler said they thought only automatics came with bolt in cross members. Anyway at least I won't have to gring welds under the car to remove it. Any info you could give me about the installation would help. Someone told me that the Richmonds are stronger than the Tremec TKOs but I know a guy with a hot 79 who has blown 2nd, 4th and now 5th gear. He is not very happy with Richmond right now. Again, thanks in advance.
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: South Africa
Originally Posted by lm6000
Thanks for the quick response 69Myway. I spoke with Keisler and drove to Carlisle, PA for the Hotrod Swap Meet to meet with them ( 250 miles from my home ) but they had left Saturday because of heavy rain. I was supose to take a ride in a 69 Vette that had a Tremec 5 speed in it but I don't blame the guy for not bringing it out in such lousy weather. They quoted me $3,200.00 for all I would need to swap out my T-10. When you installed your Richmond did you have to use an adapter to bring the shifter through the stock location? How much trouble was it to relocate the cross member. My car is an original 4 speed car but has a bolt in cross member. Kiesler said they thought only automatics came with bolt in cross members. Anyway at least I won't have to gring welds under the car to remove it. Any info you could give me about the installation would help. Someone told me that the Richmonds are stronger than the Tremec TKOs but I know a guy with a hot 79 who has blown 2nd, 4th and now 5th gear. He is not very happy with Richmond right now. Again, thanks in advance.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 761
Likes: 0
From: san jose California
Originally Posted by 69Myway
I am doing a 69 Vert for a friend which includes the TKO600, RamJet 350, VB&P performance plus suspension, steeroids, hydraboost, dakota digital dash, and Hotrod a/c.
No changes planned for my 69. I personally love the ROD6, but am excited to see what the TKO does in this project car.
No changes planned for my 69. I personally love the ROD6, but am excited to see what the TKO does in this project car.
-Jonny
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 3
From: Clinton IL
Originally Posted by Shirley1978
i got a TKO-600, love it!! but hey 69myway, sorry to get off subject but how do you like that performance plus susp?? ive been meaning to get one for some time, i like driving fast through curves and all, sorda want a auto cross vette rather than an all out drag car..
-Jonny
-Jonny
I love the suspension. In fact, I love it enough that you will see my car on the cover of the 2006 VB&P catalog.
http://www.mcspeed.homestead.com/fil...T_COVER_3D.JPG
The ROD 6 is not rated as high as the TKO600 for torque and hp. When I built my car they were not doing the TKO deal quite yet, and the ROD6 was the only manual "bolt in" kit around.
If I was doing it again today I would look at a T56.
The ROD6 comes with a custom LONG brand shifter and six speed shift plate that relocates to the correct location. If you already have a bolt in X member, changing to a ROD6 would take only minimally longer than simply yanking and reinstalling your stock four speed.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 733
Likes: 1
From: Coquitlam British Columbia
Originally Posted by lm6000
Well if i don't, why does the s/n on the tranny match the VIN/
Last edited by ikwhite; Jun 11, 2006 at 12:34 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 540
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '09, '24
[snip] If I was doing it again today I would look at a T56.
Which T56 would you be useing there 69myway? I have been told the
T56s mid 90s V8 Chevys are the one to use. Would it be worth it to put in the Viper shift forks in the tranny? Since the T56 is a true double overdrive I am wondering if it is possible to run a 4:56 gear in the carrier and still get decent mileage on the highway. Engine will have plenty of tourque so that will not be a problem, houstonvett
Which T56 would you be useing there 69myway? I have been told the
T56s mid 90s V8 Chevys are the one to use. Would it be worth it to put in the Viper shift forks in the tranny? Since the T56 is a true double overdrive I am wondering if it is possible to run a 4:56 gear in the carrier and still get decent mileage on the highway. Engine will have plenty of tourque so that will not be a problem, houstonvett
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,709
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
i'd leave the 6 speeds to modern machines, i know that for some of you this would sound crazy but i love the 4 speeds trans, specially the super t-10, mine is still able to challenge my 570hp engine with class and no problems whatsoever...
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by ikwhite
Perhaps a frame replacement at one time or modified by another owner to facilitate easy access to tranny?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 3
From: Clinton IL
Originally Posted by houstonvett
[snip] If I was doing it again today I would look at a T56.
Which T56 would you be useing there 69myway? I have been told the
T56s mid 90s V8 Chevys are the one to use. Would it be worth it to put in the Viper shift forks in the tranny? Since the T56 is a true double overdrive I am wondering if it is possible to run a 4:56 gear in the carrier and still get decent mileage on the highway. Engine will have plenty of tourque so that will not be a problem, houstonvett
Which T56 would you be useing there 69myway? I have been told the
T56s mid 90s V8 Chevys are the one to use. Would it be worth it to put in the Viper shift forks in the tranny? Since the T56 is a true double overdrive I am wondering if it is possible to run a 4:56 gear in the carrier and still get decent mileage on the highway. Engine will have plenty of tourque so that will not be a problem, houstonvett
I would like any of them with the .50 OD. A 4:56 would work just fine as you could still stretch it out on the highway. The VIPER trans is the strongest box available from a stock applications.
BTW, the ZF6 speed from the 89-96 Vette is too noisy, hard to fit, and expensive to fix. The F body T56 or Viper is the way to go.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 534
Likes: 2
From: Cookeville TN
Originally Posted by 69Myway
I would like any of them with the .50 OD. A 4:56 would work just fine as you could still stretch it out on the highway. The VIPER trans is the strongest box available from a stock applications.
BTW, the ZF6 speed from the 89-96 Vette is too noisy, hard to fit, and expensive to fix. The F body T56 or Viper is the way to go.
BTW, the ZF6 speed from the 89-96 Vette is too noisy, hard to fit, and expensive to fix. The F body T56 or Viper is the way to go.
The TKO 5 really is the best way to go from the standpoint ot strenght and fitment. If you do decide to use a T56, do you homework as there are several different variants and different shifter locations. Many of the components from the Viper T56 will not interchange with other variants.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
From: North Port, FL
I have had both the Richmond six speed OD and the TKO 600 in my car. The Richmond shifted very nice and I like the closer gearing but it had durability issues. Second gear has failed twice. Richmond repared it under waranty the first time. The TKO has held up very well and shifts ok now but it took a lot of miles for it to loosen up. Also the TKO has some minor but annoying vibration through the shifter at high RPM under load particularly in third.