SteveG75

Back in 2001, I swapped my T-10 for a Tremec 3550. This was before all the Tremec swaps became available and easy to do. Had a 3.27 first and .62 overdrive and worked pretty well with my 3.36 rear end.

When I swapped to a big block in 2012, I updated to a 3.73 12 bolt rear and then swapped to a close ration T-56 Magnum. The 2.66 first gear works well and I have a .80 5th gear and .63 6th gear. Perfect OD gears for both back country and interstate. Worth the effort.

scott13676

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The guy that did my motor also does trannys. so if i pull the trigger on a richmond, i should have him look at it before installing? was the issue with the richmond tolerance issues or bad parts?

scott13676

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the .62 overdrive wasnt too tall with the 3.36's? ill definitely want a high 2 or low 3 first gear.

Big Block Dave

I'm going to say yes, have him go through it.

My understanding is that the tolerances were too tight on the shift detents, which resulted in trans trying to grab 2 and 3rd (i think)at same time. Paul Cangaliosi has some videos on youtube with modifications to the 4+1 that is basically what this builder did.

There was also a tremendous amount of metal inside the case that turned out to be bearing case material. I think it had something to do with a bearing installed improperly and the input shaft wore against it (I really can't recall exactly), and a seal/gasket was installed improperly that gave me a good leak.

After this experience, I could never recommend this unit to anyone, at least not without having a good builder go in first.

scott13676

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its a shame we have to pay that kind of money up front, then have to pay someone else to make sure its ok. are these being made in china or what?lol

68sixspeed

BB Dave- how does your richmond shift/feel? I had their 6 speed (which is based on the 5 speed) in my camaro from 1998 until I did the LS swap, it held a lot of power fine, even a 427 small block that dyno'd north of 620hp, but couldn't shift 1-2 or 2-3 at much over 6000rpm, hated 7000rpm shifts and had a noisy 4th gear too. I went to the T56 magnum with the LS motor swap and it shifts better than my c6. But now I'm thinking of resurecting the 427 motor for another project and the trans debate starts again. The t56 magnum is a big trans and doesn't fit in a lot of applicatoins like the c3 without big mods. (and before anyone yells, no I'm not looking to cut up my 72 LT1 lol... that will remain pure.) thx Dan

Big Block Dave

The shifting is improved after my builder went through it, but I really just shift at 6k for full throttle. I have the pancake L36 intake, so thats a limiting factor. With that said, a full throttle shift requires some muscle, and I had a little difficulty with a 2-3 shift at full throttle a while back that has psyched me out a bit... I need more seat time to get that squared away.

Long story short... it does not shift with the ease and simplicity of a muncie, but Im getting used to it.

cagotzmann

When I converted my 1978 from a auto to 6 speed. The only cutting was to allow the shifter into the car. There is no why around it when starting with a auto. Fit my 78 with no problems.

When looking at shifting quality I tested a few 4 speed corvette. ( for me they shift like @#&^$#), the TKO 500/600 unless modified to fix the 2-3 shifting wasn't my liking. So I went with a T56 Magnum. This is worth looking at a T56 since there are a few companies now making complete kits.

Here is my install notes. (before complete kits where available)

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html

scott13676

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i tried clicking on the link, but said webpage not found. but i will look into the T56 magnum as well.

scott13676

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disregard, i found it. this is somthing to really consider. thanks

aaroncorvette

I have a '71 383 with a tko600RR (.82 fifth, 2.87 1st)

I have 3.55 gears,

the car would be perfect in my eyes with 3.36 gears

Keep 1st gear round 9-10 to 1 for a small block, the .82 fifth feels like another gear, not an overdrive hence the 3.36 (or 3.08) will keep the revs down at highway speed and be a good compromise all round

I have a '69 383 Camaro with the .64 fifth and I don't like it, it's too much of a drop, that has 3.73 gears in it, were looking to change gears maybe, not had the car long so still messing around with it. (Runs out of 1st too quick)

If only Tremec made a gearbox with a .75 fifth, i'd be perfect.

Cammed cars struggle with the .64 unless it's a big cube car, you have to be going so fast to make use of it as to be pointless. But this depends on your combo. RPM calculators don't factor in a lack of low end of torque

Mako72

I have a TKO600/2.87/.64 with 3:36 gears in my '72 for about 10 years now. I can't fault the combination. It will pull in 4th around town at 40 mph with my SB. I do a lot of interstate driving to other states and with the .64 OD, I can run with the late model Corvettes easily. The drop in rpm also helps with the sidepipe noise on the long trips.

scott13676

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the sidepipes is one of the contributing factors for me as well. when i had the 350 in it it was mellow, now with the 383 it almost drives me out of the car, thankfully i have one hell of a stereo. seems like 2.87 in the tremec and low 3's in the richmond are the popular choice. my prior car was a 72 with a 383 and a 4 speed with 3.36. and i loved the way that drove except on the interstate and i took the sidepipes off that one. i dont plan on taking these off.

drwet

I have the TKO 600 (22.87 first, .64 OD) The choice of first gear is a coin flip. Depends on what you want and what you're willing to live with. If you want to be able to smoke the hides at will, then you want the 3.27 first, but first gear is going to be short. I had a V8 S-10 with a deep first gear, and it was a pain to drive. The 2.87 first will be more driveable, but maybe not as much fun. As for the overdrive I find the .68 perfect. Its not in a speed range where the big drop in RPM is significant. I drive mine like a 4 speed, then when I'm on the highway, I drop it into fifth. I would definitely go with the .68 OD. (By the way I have a 3.55 diff.)