Richmond 6 Speed Builder?

[ZL-1 Cobra]

Hey guys,

Know of anyone that rebuilds Richmond 6 speeds in this area?

Jim

[Jim Norris]

Originally Posted by ZL-1 Cobra

Hey guys,

Know of anyone that rebuilds Richmond 6 speeds in this area?

Jim

Jim, did you ever find a rebuilder?
Are you swapping out your four speed?

[ZL-1 Cobra]

Hey Jim - sorry I didn't get back sooner. We just got back from DisneyWorld! What a blast!

I haven't pulled the trigger on the 6-speed rebuild yet. My money lately has been invested in the Disney Corporation.

I do need to change my final drive gearing. Right now with a 4-speed and the 3.31 gears, I'm at a pretty high rpm keeping up with all you guys with 5-speeds. I found a 6-speed that needs rebuilding, and it's sitting in my garage. Should I rebuild or go new?

Unfortunately, to get this done professionally with all new parts may be just as expensive as buying a NEW Richmond 6-speed. Maybe the best thing to do would be to see if I can sell the trans I have right now and put the money towards a new one.

For the rearend I'm considering 3.73's for the 6-speed swap.

Jim

[Jim Norris]

Jim,
Welcome back to "mundane world". Too bad the good stuff has to end.

A six speed with 3:73s sounds sweet. What would be the 5th and 6th gear ratios?
I have 3:73s with a .64 5th gear. It's nice when cruising at 75 or 80 MPH but not so nice around town when I'm forced to hunt for the right gear in traffic.
I often think that a .82 5th would have been better.

To rebuild or buy new... that is the question. My only input is that I love new stuff.

[ZL-1 Cobra]

Hey Jim,

Richmond 6 speeds use a 1:1 fifth gear, and their 6th gear can be any number of gears.

The one I have I think is around .8

The Richmond 6 speed is basically a super close ratio transmission with an overdrive.

Jim

[Jim Norris]

Jim,
Now I get it.
I was thinking that the 5th gear would be a mild overdrive, like .8, and the 6th gear would be a super overdrive, like a .6. That would give you the best of both TKO 600 models offered by Tremec. That's the kind of 6 speed I could go for.

[thudmaster]

Jim, you better talk to Barbara before you order it.............

[Jim Norris]

Originally Posted by thudmaster

Jim, you better talk to Barbara before you order it.............

Hey Ed,
I wear the pants in this family... uh, the ones she picks out for me that is.
That's good advice Ed, even after 37 years.

[maurice19]

Jim, this is the good stuff
Maurice

[Jim Norris]

Originally Posted by maurice19

Jim, this is the good stuff
Maurice

You're right Maurice, this is the good stuff... and may it last a long time.

[decooney]

Jim,
My buddy has the 6speed in his Viper and we just put the TKO 600 5 speed in the CooX Lister. The 5 speed with the 3.42 diff ratio gears and the .82 overdrive (Vette Drivetrain) is perfect. In comparison, behind a higher horsepower old scool car like a Cobra, I prefer the 5speed over the 6 speed, and think you would too with that monster motor...

[RICK LAKE]

ZL-1 Cobra If you are running a 480 merlin motor, Unless you are running a t-56 viper trans you are way past the power and torque limits. Your richmond trans is good for 450hp and 450 torque rated. I have run one and for normal driving it will hold up OK. You might want to look at the new Richmond 5-spd super street. The torque and HP ratings are 600 for both. It's a 4 spd with and overdrive. You can stay with your 3.31 gears in the rearend of the car. Try and get a low first gear the 2.87 is real good for moving. With the 6 spd I had a 3.25 first gear and never used it on my 6 spd. This gear works good with a 3.08 that I have in my 79TA. If you are serious about a strong trans and doing any kind of racing, a 5 spd G-Force is the way to go. 1,000 HP and torque. It's not cheap but the last trans you will buy. The only down side is 5th gear is 1-1. This will limit your top speed. I now use this one with a custom gear setup and it works. It's the same size as the richmond 5 spd. If you are running the 6 spd the trans mount is 1" farther back. G-Force has some kits for more strenght in some tranmissions, I know T-56 and the 5 spd richmond. Not sure about 6 spds yet. Down the road I may try the T-56 trans I have in my cobra with the new gears and main shafts and have it blue printed. I have replaced a bunch of T-56 trans from GTO's and Trans Ams. They don't hold up under hard abuse or high HP. One car has a turbo kit from STS in it. Trans has broken twice. He's done with the warrenty and getting a G-force T-56. This will solve the problems. Side note not sure how hot your trans fluid gets but if it starts to get stiff in shifting you will need to change fluids to a full synthetic and drop the weight numbers to a thinner oil. Amsoil has the higher boiling point that the others. Rick L.

[ZL-1 Cobra]

Duane, Rick - thanks for the good advice on the 6 speed trans. The Richmond 5-spd super street might be the way to go it seems. I like the 600hp/600ft.lb. rating. I think the 5 spd G-force is beyond what I need even with my future plans of stroking my motor. I don't see a turbo or blower in my future with the Cobra. I have a huge respect for anyone that can handle a Cobra with boost! These things can get away from you in a hurry!

Jim