Lowering my RPM's
 

Is there someone out there that can tell me a good way to lower my RPM's
without losing much of my bottom end? I have a 411 rear gear and a Muncie
4-speed trans. I am in the process of building a 69 convertible with a 350/350HP and I would rather have more top end, but I would still like to have some bottom end power. Is there an aftermarket overdrive trans. that can be adapted to my needs? Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Re: Lowering my RPM's (Steve Adkins)
 

Yes, the 200-4R and 700-R4 would fit your needs. Both have a lower first gear than your Muncie (assuming you have a close ratio) and an overdrive to retain top end. I had 4.11's behind my 700-R4 and they were great. Reved 2400 at highway speeds.




[Modified by Stingy74, 7:39 PM 1/22/2002]

Re: Lowering my RPM's (Stingy74)
 

Thank you for your info. Where might I locate one of these trans, and about
how much do you think I will have to pay?

Re: Lowering my RPM's (Steve Adkins)
 

The transmissions are plentyful being that they came in million and millions of General Motor's automobiles. Neither is made to accept gobs of power but they can be built to bulletproof specs by qualified transmission shops. I suggest looking in wrecking yards for a good, rebuildable core and go from there. If not, vendors such as Summit Racing have pre-built units but they are very very pricy. Others issues are the driveshaft shortening and shifter.

I just realized that I am talking about automatic transmissions here. Doh! Manual transmissions such as the Richmond 6 speed overdrive are really cool but really expensive. Do a forum search on Richmond 6 speed and there's a wealth of info. A few menbers have done the conversion too.

Re: Lowering my RPM's (Steve Adkins)
 

Forum Member "Bob Turner" runs a Richmond six-speed with 3.08's in his '74 and says they work awsome. Check with him, and if you like what he has to say, I have a fresh Bair's rebuilt 3.08 carrier with about 1Kmi. on it I can sell you! Bob sold me a complete 3.70 carrier so I don't need it. Very reasonably priced! The Richmond, on the other hand.........!

Re: Lowering my RPM's (Steve Adkins)
 

You can also look at Tremec 5spd tranny's which are much less $$$ than a 6spd.

Have you considered getting a 3 series posi, you may find someone willing to swap a 3 series for your 4 series. Be sure to check around the cross pin of the posi's for cracks since that is a common problem area. With a 3 series you can choose a different gear ratio for less rpm's :) .

Re: Lowering my RPM's (Steve Adkins)
 

The Tremec 5 speed allows you to keep the 4.11's and with it's .68 overdrive they become 2.87 on the freeways. The Tremec is about 1/2 the price of a Richmond 6 speed, much more compact and just as beefy. I have seen them advertised for $1395. Get the TKO if possible. It is almost a bolt in. The rearmount might need a little work and the shifter comes out in the center of the consel. I have 4.11s and rev 2300 at 60mph and 2500 at 70.

Re: Lowering my RPM's (norvalwilhelm)
 

Thanks for the info. Where might I locate one of these trans? Is there a kit out there that will accommodate for the shifter comming up in the center of the console?

Re: Lowering my RPM's (ORVette)
 

What type of modifications will I have to do to install the Bair's 3.08?

Re: Lowering my RPM's (Steve Adkins)
 

No mods for the 3.08 change-just some grunt work swapping the rear ends.

Re: Lowering my RPM's (ORVette)
 

If Steve Atkins doesn't want the 3.08's let me know. I am considering a Richmond swap and they would work well to replace the 3.36's I have now.

Re: Lowering my RPM's (SteveG75)
 

While we are on the subject where could he find the Tremec 5 speed?

OD :cool:

Re: Lowering my RPM's (Eddie 96)
 

Did you ever find out where to find a Tremec 5-speed? What do you think about replacing a Munci 4-speed with 5 or 6 speed trans?

Re: Lowering my RPM's (Steve Adkins)
 

For a Tremec 5spd O/D do a search with tremec and look for Fortes which sells them modified to go into a Chevy ( they're F*RD trannies) .

If anyone is interestec in an original set of 3.36's, I have a great deal! :)