Richmond 5 speed and 2.88 rear

[ERA 778]

I have the RG 5 speed with a 2.88. The engine is a 428 FE that dynoed at 520HP at the builder. It works very well for the street and will blow the doors off almost anything in first and second gear. The first four gears match up very well with a wide ratio toploader with a 3.54 rear, so it's a lot like having an overdrive fifth gear.
My problem would be that all of the RG transmissions now are made in China, I believe, since the tooling was sold about 2 years ago. I hope i don't need any major parts in the future!

[lumpy3339]

Thanks everyone, I did not know the RG are now made in China. That defiantly gives me reason to rethink my set up

[RICK LAKE]

lumpy3339 How much power is your motor going to make? If you are going with a 5 speed, anything over a 3.00 ratio is a waste. I have a Richmond 6 speed and never used 1st gear. My race trans has a 3.05 1st gear and never use it. This is with a 3.31 ratio. I also have gone from a 452 FE to a 482 FE motor. I am going to a 3.07 ratio. Here's the thing, I have 500+ ft of torque to move my car and then some. SB make good HP in the middle to upper rpm range. They are soft on low end grunt to get rolling. 2.88 is also an odd ball rearend, Yes I have 1 for parts. Was looking to do the same thing with a wide 5 or 6 spd trans. Found out the dana carrier is good for only about 450hp and torque. IF you are going to cruise, you want the motor to be running in the sweet spot of torque and bottom edge of HP, about 2,000 - 2,300 rpms You should talk to the motor builder and see what camshaft you guys are looking at. IMO you work be better with the superstreet Richmond and the 2.87 first gear and .87 fifth gear. Have you thought about a t-56 6 speed? Not sure if this will fit in an ERA frame without modes to get it to work. My frame was custom to allow a 6 spd richmond to fit. Its 1 inch longer than a 5 spd. If you are going into parades, get a 3.00 or higher first gear for slow driving. I think the richmond 5 spd would work out just fine. Kissler has worked out all the problems on the TKO trannies. Only guys racing are still having problems with shifting. Good luck Rick L. Ps everything is getting made in China. Live with it and thank the goverment we voted for. They sold us out.

[lumpy3339]

Thanks Rick, I am building my motor with some assistance, the cam profile is mild and the target HP is 400 at the crank and ~383 foot pounds. I am going to go with the Richmond 5 speed, living in Michigan I will keep looking for new old stock or a very good used RG. The information on this forum is great