I'm tying to decide between a TKO II and a Richmond 5 speed. It will be in an ERA 428 SCJ mostly street use with some occasional track use. I know the 5th gear is better on the TKO II at .83 vs 1:1 on the Richmond. Can anyone comment on these two choices considering the setup and use I mentioned?
Is one more durable/better performance? Any and all comments appreciated.
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The Richmond is a very durable box, I'm putting 600ft/lbs thru mine and though it's rated for 450, Richmond said that is a conservative rating.
The shifting was a little notchy at first but its getting better or I'm getting used to it.
I wouldn't say the 1:1 5th is worse than the TKO II, but just the opposite. The Richmond with a 3.08 rear gear will give approximately the same final drive as the TKO II with a 3.73 gear. With the 3.08 rear, first gear is still useable. With the 3.73 rear first gear is too low, at least for my application.
IMO that would be a good gear for a street big block with a Richmond. First gear ratio would be about 9.4:1, I had a 3.08:1 and at 10.0:1, first gear was very short even for my small block. Not to mention impossible to hook up.
Cobra Make, Engine: Original ERA 427sc, Powered by Gessford
Posts: 2,678
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Joe-
I went with the TKO II for a couple reasons. First, I have heard from others that the TKO shifts better than the Richmond. However, I have not driven either one, so I can't verify those claims- pure rumor.
Second, I understand that with the Jag rear there is a certain gear ratio at which you can't go above or below without changing the whole carrier- as opposed to simply the ring and pinion. I'm not sure what the ratio is - it might be 2.88 or 3.08- somebody will know or alternatively, tell me if I'm wrong.
Anyway, if I'm right, if you ever wanted to get rid of the 5-speed and use a Top loader and wanted to use a 3.31 or 3.54 rear, you would probably have to change the whole rear carrier if you previously used the Richmond b/c your rear ratio probably would have been 2.88 in order to get the overdrive effect. However, if you were swapping from the TKO II, you would likely have used a 3.08 or 3.31 (which I'm using) and would only need to change the ring and pinion rather than the whole carrier.
So, that's why I went with the TKO II. Either one will be more than strong enough. Most of the torque ratings are based on cars weighing signifcantly more than Cobras do. In any event, the tires will break lose before you can break the tranny.
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Cobra Make, Engine: Hunter #28; 396 Cleveland stroker; more than 495 HP; TKO 5 speed
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JOEA:
Last yr I went thru the same thing.
My results- went with TKO. Gear it like a 4 speed with a hiway OD. Saves on the ears and gas.
Why: two manufactures dissed richmonds, dont shift as well or as quick as tko.
Much cheaper; around $1300. No external linkages to buy.
light weight.
Everybody that has them, likes them.
Two aquaintances with top loader's have said they wished they had gone with a five speed because of highway noise/revs with the top loader.
I'm not hung up on the "tradition"
Its interesting that most of the Holden/Falcon V8's are using the Tremec, probably because of price and no external linkages, plus the big one - economy with the overdriven top gear(s)
I wonder why though would anyone using their car on the track would want two ridiculously high gears as in 5th and 6th being so high like better than 0.8. Having 0.91 would be like another gear evenly spaced but they make them so you would have to gear the car that low to utilise it?
I can see the merits of the Richmond with 1.1 top as if with my gearing of either 3.27 or 3.08 that gives me at 6500rpm 154mph/163mph respectively which should still give me good acceleration, without having to change the rear end ratio for speed events.
Hey if you want cruising economy etc then the overdriven trannys are there, and the only downfall of my choice will be when some little turbo car gives me a run on the highway and I revving the ar*e off the car to try and beat it, or just cruise at around 60mph!
Seeing the differences between the TKO and the Richmond, the TKO has a large gap between third and fourth of about 40mph, and the other disadvantage less get up and go!
I would prefer a fifth gear of about 0.91, but hey you cant please everybody!
TKOII vs Richmond 5 speed
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