Richmond 6 Speed?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
Richmond 6 Speed?
Has anyone successfully installed a Richmond 6 speed transmission? I am considering purchasing the 6 speed with overdrive sometime in the future and would like to know if it's a direct bolt in?
I know the Borg Warner Super T10 won't be able to handle the power of the big block in the long run and am considering the Richmond as a replacement. I figure that the 3:1 1st gear will really help out my bottom end and I wouldn't have to get a different rear end (I could use my 3.36). The over drive would really help to quiet down the side pipes at highway speeds too. The Richmond 6 speed is also supposed to be "bulletproof".
What do you guys think?
I know the Borg Warner Super T10 won't be able to handle the power of the big block in the long run and am considering the Richmond as a replacement. I figure that the 3:1 1st gear will really help out my bottom end and I wouldn't have to get a different rear end (I could use my 3.36). The over drive would really help to quiet down the side pipes at highway speeds too. The Richmond 6 speed is also supposed to be "bulletproof".
What do you guys think?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,563
Likes: 2
Re: Richmond 6 Speed? (bence13_33)
Works for me on the ZZ/502------ The install is fairly basic. Same length as a Muncie or T-10, same bellhousing pattern, but has a deeper belly, and the mount is a little further aft. The crossmember must be notched ,and the mount pad welded in at a slightly lower position; some guys cut the center section out of their manual trans . crossmember, and make it removeable. I have an auto. trans. car, so my crossmember was already removeable.The R.O.D. also takes a TH400 front yoke; The speedo is on the pass. side, and requires a short extension cable, available from NAPA. The input shaft is a 26 spline. The shifter comes up in the same place, but the floor may have to be slightly clearanced for the shift throws in way of the shifter. Do this, and drive it away. The cost is not cheap for the R.O.D., but I LOVE mine! It transformed the car into a real torque monster, and gave it long legs for the highway. Bob Turner on the C-3 forum was a lot of help to me in this install. Good luck!
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :yesnod:
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :yesnod:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Re: Richmond 6 Speed? (MassVette)
I am very pleased with mine. Had to make my own rear transmission mount because aftermarket ones push the tranny too high within tunnel. Spent about $250 for new drive shaft and yoke. Mine lined up perfectly through the console opening. I did notch and bend the shifter lever back 2 inches (measured at ****) so that shifter is now perpendicular to console in neutral.
Tranny can be mounted without removing the crossmember (I did it). But this was a mistake. Get the crossmember modified so it can be unbolted like on automatic cars. I will modify mine when it comes time to change the clutch.
Dean Scanhorn at Richmond strongly suggested going with the .81 6th gear ratio. He said some mega motors did break the tranny in 6th gear with the .76 ratio. The .81 is significantly stronger.
Bottom line is that the transmission shifts beautifully. I absolutely love it! With my 3.08 rear end, I have a gear for every need.
Chuck
Tranny can be mounted without removing the crossmember (I did it). But this was a mistake. Get the crossmember modified so it can be unbolted like on automatic cars. I will modify mine when it comes time to change the clutch.
Dean Scanhorn at Richmond strongly suggested going with the .81 6th gear ratio. He said some mega motors did break the tranny in 6th gear with the .76 ratio. The .81 is significantly stronger.
Bottom line is that the transmission shifts beautifully. I absolutely love it! With my 3.08 rear end, I have a gear for every need.
Chuck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Re: Richmond 6 Speed? (bence13_33)
Bence,
If you use the 28" tires your 3.36 will be equal to most guys using the 25.5 inch tires and a 3.08 gear. Such gears will mean you will only be turning ~2000 rpm @ 60mph in 6th with the .81 overdrive. This would be a bare minimum with a carbureted engine. Perhaps too slow if using anything more radical than a cam similar to the 390hp hydraulic. I will only use 6th for 75mph+ cruising.
Chuck
If you use the 28" tires your 3.36 will be equal to most guys using the 25.5 inch tires and a 3.08 gear. Such gears will mean you will only be turning ~2000 rpm @ 60mph in 6th with the .81 overdrive. This would be a bare minimum with a carbureted engine. Perhaps too slow if using anything more radical than a cam similar to the 390hp hydraulic. I will only use 6th for 75mph+ cruising.
Chuck
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,847
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From: Tampa FL
Re: Richmond 6 Speed? (Chuck Harmon)
We're using this tranny, though I have no feedback on how it works for obvious reasons. The install was pretty straightforward & it was one of the few things on the car that lined up properly. The operation of the unit feels very smooth. I highly recommend you call Bill at Pacific Corvette & have him build you one of his custom crossmembers. Here's a real good site showing the install:
http://home.att.net/~ncarboni/NC82.html
http://home.att.net/~ncarboni/NC82.html
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: CORONA, CA
Re: Richmond 6 Speed? (Merlin522)
I love mine as well. I can run 12's on street tires and last week I got 22.8 mpg on a 300 mile trip. Me and a buddy modified a Dr 700R4 crossmember to use with mine, it worked out great. :smash: :smash: :smash: It IS not cheap but it converted my car into a real TERROR on the street. I dont believe you can go wrong with this thing
gp :cool:
gp :cool:
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Re: Richmond 6 Speed? (GROSSPOLLUTER60)
I would like to upgrade my 4+3 to the richmand, i was told that its very difficult to repair the 4+3 when it breaks. Anyone know how much a 4+3 is worth in working condition?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
Re: Richmond 6 Speed? (bence13_33)
Hey Bence,
I can email you some pictures of what I did if you want. The email is 1 meg or so...... I also have an article of and installation of the six speed from Vette magazine, Feb, 1998. I can fax that to you now since I have it here at work. Let me know your fax # here on this posting if you want it.
The main thing is making your crossmember removable. I cut mine out and set it up so that I could take it in and out. You can't install the Richmond unit without making it removable. You have to make sure that the shifting rods DO NOT interfere with the crossmember AND since the reverse gear (part of the trans case) sticks out in on the pass side of the trans, it would be difficult but probably not impossible to run exhaust pipes through that side. If you are going to continue using sidepipes like I am, or having a custom crossmember built, it won't be a concern.
I can now take that trans completely out in 1 hour, 10 minutes while on jackstands.
There are other minor issues to deal with which I can get into with you later on......
Hope this helps!
Massvette: I am happy I was able to help you!
Bob :cool:
I can email you some pictures of what I did if you want. The email is 1 meg or so...... I also have an article of and installation of the six speed from Vette magazine, Feb, 1998. I can fax that to you now since I have it here at work. Let me know your fax # here on this posting if you want it.
The main thing is making your crossmember removable. I cut mine out and set it up so that I could take it in and out. You can't install the Richmond unit without making it removable. You have to make sure that the shifting rods DO NOT interfere with the crossmember AND since the reverse gear (part of the trans case) sticks out in on the pass side of the trans, it would be difficult but probably not impossible to run exhaust pipes through that side. If you are going to continue using sidepipes like I am, or having a custom crossmember built, it won't be a concern.
I can now take that trans completely out in 1 hour, 10 minutes while on jackstands.
There are other minor issues to deal with which I can get into with you later on......
Hope this helps!
Massvette: I am happy I was able to help you!
Bob :cool:
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Diamondhead MS
Re: Richmond 6 Speed? (Bob Turner)
Can you send me an email with the pictures. Also, can you scan the article for me? I don't have a fax machine hear at home. I'd appreciate it.
I'm trying to round up as much info as I can for a guy at work. He has a '76 with a built small block that sees some spray every once in awhile :)
Thanks,
I'm trying to round up as much info as I can for a guy at work. He has a '76 with a built small block that sees some spray every once in awhile :)
Thanks,
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
Re: Richmond 6 Speed? (Bob Turner)
Bob:
I'd greatly appreciate it if you could send me the pictures. It may be a while before I ever save up enough money for the transmission though. Where did you purchase your transmission from? I noticed that Jeg's carries the R.O.D. 6 Speeds.
Chuck:
Thanks for the advise. Why is it that you wouldn't want to turn anything less than 2000RPMs, is it due mostly to the cam?
[Modified by bence13_33, 9:26 AM 11/19/2001]
I'd greatly appreciate it if you could send me the pictures. It may be a while before I ever save up enough money for the transmission though. Where did you purchase your transmission from? I noticed that Jeg's carries the R.O.D. 6 Speeds.
Chuck:
Thanks for the advise. Why is it that you wouldn't want to turn anything less than 2000RPMs, is it due mostly to the cam?
[Modified by bence13_33, 9:26 AM 11/19/2001]
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
Re: Richmond 6 Speed? (RobWS6)
RobWS6,
I would be happy to photocopy the article and mail it to you if you want. Email me with your address at robert@scme.com and I can mail it out to you tommorrow. I don't have access to a scanner.
Let me know.
Bob
I would be happy to photocopy the article and mail it to you if you want. Email me with your address at robert@scme.com and I can mail it out to you tommorrow. I don't have access to a scanner.
Let me know.
Bob
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: Fort Collins CO
Re: Richmond 6 Speed? (bence13_33)
<snip>
Thanks for the advise. Why is it that you wouldn't want to turn anything less than 2000RPMs, is it due mostly to the cam?
Thanks for the advise. Why is it that you wouldn't want to turn anything less than 2000RPMs, is it due mostly to the cam?