Richmond 5 Speed - Good Street Transmission?

[CamaroNOS]

Hello gentlemen,

I require some input from the 4 speed gurus here as to what is the better choice transmission.....the Richmond Road Race 5 Speed or the Muncie M22.

The vehicle is a full weight 69 Camaro with a 302 that revs 7500 and is street driven locally 90% and drag strip driven 10%.

The reason is I have a buddy who has both transmissions available to me for the same price and the Richmond is brand new and comes with their "Long" shifter (with a 2.24 first gear - not the stock 2.77 gear) and the Muncie is 100% rebuilt with a mid-plate.

Specs on the Richmond https://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/rmg-7022726e/overview/

Richmond 5 Speed Road Race Transmision (http://https://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/rmg-7022726e/overview/)

Will the Richmond slide right into the tunnel area or will I have to massage it? Will I be able to use the same factory shifter hole?

Based on both transmissions, what rear end gear would be best for either transmissions?

What would be the best slick tire size for the set up, a 29" tall?

<span style="text-decoration: underline">Will I get tired quickly with the Richmond on the street?</span>

Paul

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Call me one evening Paul, I understood the idea behind the Richmond 5 speed is to use 3.08 gears and use the crazy high first and even spacing down to the 1-1 firth gear 2.20 first doesn't make sense to me?

The M22 has the same 2.20 first

Ryan

[scuncio]

I just did this swap in my '68 Z. The trans is great. I think first is something like 3.27 and it works perfectly with 2.73 gears. If the first gear ratio in the trans you're contemplating has been changed to 2.24 it frankly defeats the whole purpose of this transmission IMO, since you will need to run a typical ring and pinion ratio and won't be able to get away with a tall gear like I do.

The Long shifter will require you to modify the tunnel and shifter hole. You can modify the Hurst shifter to fit through the factory hole.

Hope this was helpful.

[CamaroNOS]

Yes it is....great to speak with somebody who has hands on experience.

Now for some questions.

1. If I install the 3.27 gear in the tranny and install a set of 2:73 rear gears, will the combination have enough RPM to finish the quarter mile in 4th gear if the transmission gear is 1:14.

2. The Richmond presently has 2.24 for first, 1.88 for second, 1.46 for third, 1.19 for forth and 1.00 for fifth. Are these the perfect gear ratios for 1 through 4.

2. Maybe a dumb question, can this transmission be power shifted without issues.

Paul

[Kurt S]

---------- 1st .. 4th
4-speed: 2.20 1.00
5-speed: 2.20 1.00

Yuck. You want a lot bigger spread in ratios. New trans have 4 times the spread - deeper 1st and big overdrive.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Nice to chat Paul:-)

So far what I have researched and we chatted about is matching the experts on sYc:-)

Ryan

[CamaroNOS]

Hey guys,

Between the responses and talking with Ryan (thanks pal), I have a much better handle on what I need to do with the transmission options.

Thanks to all who helped out. Great bunch of guys here.......thanks SYC

Paul

[marxjunk]

i have one with a 2.56 posi...love it...and no massaging of the tunnel..hate that i had to open the hole for the shifter..but not too bad..i kept the pieces if i need to weld them back in if i change..the shifter ended up at the back of the factory hole..just trimmed it a little..

[CamaroNOS]

Thanks for the response Mark.

Paul

[CamaroNOS]

Thanks Kurt......correct yuck.

Paul

[EZ Nova]

NOT SO FAST.

Paul, with the little 302 the 5sp might be a better trans for you. especially at the track. Seen that geared trans behind small small, not huge Hp motors over the years at the track. Most 283/302's. Due to the milder/less powerful engine, the more gears help accelerate these cars down the track, can keep the engine higher and into the power band better due to the RPM drop on gear changes. Same &quot;idea&quot; is behind NHRA Pro Stocks running 5 speed and not 4!

Now if this 5sp was behind a 800Hp BB, then that's different as brute Hp/Tq would help overcome a wide gear spread and RPM drop on gear changes. Our 3sp auto's usually only &quot;see&quot; about 900RPM change thought the 1/4! from RPM launch to dropping the 'chute, we try to stay within a 900RPM operating window. Just some food for thought.

If it were me (and I have a DN 4+1 with 3.39 and 3.25 first for my BB) and I had that little 302, I would for sure try the 5sp.

[EZ Nova]

Actually, for the questions your asking, we need to know a lot more about the motor, car and gear. But for you to use a 29&quot; tall with a 302, you will need a LOT of gear AND a good motor really.

[Kurt S]

I would consider a Tremec TKO 5-speed. Deeper 1st and an overdrive.
http://www.tremec.com/menu.php?m=103

[EZ Nova]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kurt S</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would consider a Tremec TKO 5-speed. Deeper 1st and an overdrive.
http://www.tremec.com/menu.php?m=103 </div></div>

BUT the problem with Tremec is there lack of wanting to shift above 7000RPM.

And the man asked about what of the 2 trans he has access to would be better. And for a street strip car, the 5sp with his 302 I think would be better.