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The 5-speed is a GREAT box compared to stock, but I'd rather spend the extra $1100 and get an extra gear. Way more flexibility. I don't know why the guys would run 3.73s with the 6-speed, though. The Richmond 6 gearbox will let you run a 3.08 rear end and have more launch ratio than you could possibly need, unless you were installing a four-banger with it.
I intend to run the same setup Chuck Harmon has, if I build up another C3: 3.08s and a Richmond-6. There's a reason he talks so much about it: it's perfect.
I'd go for the Richmond 6 speed because of it's 5 speeds plus overdrive, as opposed to the other options which are 4 speeds with 1 or 2 overdrives, if performance is the main criteria. At the same time, I've heard that installation of the 5 spd Tremec is easier.
I had a Richmond 6, sold it and the car it was installed in, and now have a 5-speed TKO waiting to go into a new car (that I'm still searching for). IMO, if your engine makes good street low end power, the 5-speed is the way to go, but that's just a personal preference. I never liked the way the Richmond shifted. The T56 6-speed/3.73 combo looks nice because of the T56 2.66 first gear, but I don't really see the need for a double overdrive in a pleasure car that doesn't do daily driver duty, and it comes with THAT PRICE.
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: 5-speed or 6-speed (Flareside)
I am gonna say go for the 5 speed of course since I just layed my money down. Mostly because I didn't have to make any mods to my car for the install. Now that it is in, this car flat out runs down the highway. I can go anywhere on the I40 or I75 now. I do have 3:36 gears so it is setup to be long legged. 2.2848 final drive.(If I did my math correct) :cool:
The 5-speed is a GREAT box compared to stock, but I'd rather spend the extra $1100 and get an extra gear. Way more flexibility. I don't know why the guys would run 3.73s with the 6-speed, though. The Richmond 6 gearbox will let you run a 3.08 rear end and have more launch ratio than you could possibly need, unless you were installing a four-banger with it.
I intend to run the same setup Chuck Harmon has, if I build up another C3: 3.08s and a Richmond-6. There's a reason he talks so much about it: it's perfect.
-Steve
Pacin is correct here. If you do go with the Richmond Six, make sure to go with a DEEP 1st gear like Chuck did. I think he went with the 3.27 FIRST gear.
I made the mistake of selecting the 2.77 1st which I now regret. I wanted to use the 3.08's but with a 2.77's, but there isn't enough gear, so I have to go with 3.70's....
I like my Viper T56 w/ a 3:73 rear. It is an ideal road set up with a great 1st gear combination and the double overdrive is perfect for highway driving especially in NM where we have some 75MPH highways.
I prefer the 5 speed over the 6 speed because it costs alot less, fits alot better, has an internal rail shifter and if 5 speeds can't get the job done, 6 won't help.
I run 3.08 with the 3.25 first gear and .68 overdrive. I don't need an extra gear between 1st and 5th.
The price diffrence between a 5 and 6 speed, plus the ease of installation of the 5 over the 6, makes it a no brainer.
I'm running 3.27 first gear and 3:55's in the back...I can buy a lot of gas for the 1100.00+ price diff. In addition, for the 1100.00 I can get 3.36 and 3.08 3rd members and have money left over, if I choose to lower my cruising R's.
From: Pettis Performance 565 with two stages of Nitrous Supply nitrous 1.082, 4.61 at 155, 7.17 at 192
Re: 5-speed or 6-speed (Guru_4_hire)
I have a Richmond 6 spd in mine. I run a 3.70 rear with the 2.77 first, my car makes 491-500 rwhp (through full exhaust) dyno proven and goes 125 mph in the 1 /4. I can tell you the 2.77 and 3.70 was perfect. The entire idea of the extra gears is being able to run closer ratios (1st through 5th), in less powerful motors it is even more of a benefit. I prefer the 2.77 first and deeper gear (3.70) over the 3.27 and 3.08 because in the higher gears there is a more dramatic rpm drop between gears.
If I had a motor in the 350-400 rwhp range, I would go with the 2.77 first and a 4.11 rear. I also prefer the .62 over drive. The purpose of that gear for me is cruising on the highway. My car goes 80 mph at approx 2300 rpms.
I am selling mine though because it can't hanlde the drag racing I want to do.
The entire idea of the extra gears is being able to run closer ratios (1st through 5th), in less powerful motors it is even more of a benefit. I prefer the 2.77 first and deeper gear (3.70) over the 3.27 and 3.08 because in the higher gears there is a more dramatic rpm drop between gears.
Nothing against the 4-speed. God knows I love the Muncie, but my car was begging for an OD gear on the highway. Nonetheless, I think I am going stick with the 5-speed that I ordered and do something else with the extra $1000 to $1200.
Hmm, what do I spend that money on for the car? 17" tires/wheels, L88 hood, chrome stuff for the engine, bigger/badder cam, fix body blemishes, buy my wife a Christams gift (Oh, thats a given).
I drove an RG 5-spd with a 3.08 rear for five years. Made the car perform the way it should have from St. Louis. Unfortunately, I made the conversion 6 months or so before the 6 was on the market and available. During the rebuild, we sold the 5 and bought a 6 using the same 3.08 gears.
Technology got the best of us, so the 6-spd gets sold (happens to be available) for a T56 and a Dana 44 rear with 3.90 gears. Obviously I've plunked down $$$ for the privilege and love both, but the 6 with OD is better for me and my application.