WTony

Just wondering if anyone has used a Richmond Gear 4+1 street trans before? Its a 5 speed with a 3.28 first gear and 1:1 5th gear. Designed to be used with a 2.56, 2.78 or 3.08 rear end ratios and works almost the same as an overdrive when in 5th.

I know the tunnel will have to be trimmed back about an inch and the hump rewelded further back for the shifter, and the handle will need to be modified to come through the console.

I already have the trans, its like new with no miles on it and was installed in an incompleted project car I purchased several years ago. I never drove the car more than a couple hundred feet out of the garage and onto the trailer so I really didnt get a feel of what the trans was past first gear and reverse.

What Im interested in knowing is how the trans shifts, its overall durability and if its worth going through all the work to install it?

joe_padavano

Actually, it works EXACTLY like an overdrive in fifth. The car neither knows nor cares what the trans or rear end ratios are. All that matters is the effective ratio that's the product of the two. Your Richmond (originally the Nash five speed) with a 2.78 axle is exactly the same as an 0.68 OD top gear with a 4.10 axle. The difference is in first, where the 3.28 first and 2.78 final give you an effective 9.11 final. If you had an OD trans with a 2.50-ish first gear, the 4.10 axle example above would give you a 10.25 effective first. Most articles I've read about gear ratio selection suggest about a 10:1 effective ratio in first. Use the 3.08s in the axle.

As for shifting, I've never used a Nash/Richmond, but I've heard that the Long shifters that the Nash came with were not that great. What shifter do you have for this one?

WTony

Joe I have the Hurst shifter.

I was actually basing the rear gear decision on the equivalent of an M20 with 2.52 1st gear and a 3.23 rear. 2.52x3.23=aprox8.14 VS the Richmond 3.28x2.56=aprox8.40

About 12 years ago I got tired of revving the heck out of my motor in my W30 and shelved the 3.91 rear and M21, and instead installed an M20 with a 3.23 rear. It made the car WAY more drivable. I can actually enjoy driving the car to more than just a local show.

So, I figured if first gear in the W is manageable the way its set up now, then it should be almost the same in my new project with the 5 speed and the 2.56 rear, and be VERY economical on the highway as well.

When I was talking to the tech line at Bow Tie Overdrives about which gears to run in my wagon with their .70 overdrive in the 4L65 trans I used, they told me its optimum to be as close to 2000rpm at 70mph as possible. After using their calculator we came up with 3.42 for my tire height. I used that same calculator and found the 2.56 rear ratio at 1:1 5th gear will be about the same rpm at 70mph. Would 3.08's be more fun off the line, yes. But Im going for drivability and economy with this build with a mild 455. Not a ton of power or off the line grunt, but should still be just as fun to drive.

My only fear is the durability of this trans. Its rated at 450hp and only 450#tq. Another reason to install the mild 455, so not to blow up the trans if I get a little racey!

WTony

The other thing I like about the higher rear ratio and lower 1st gear ratio is that in 5th gear on the highway, your not spinning the drive shaft at as high of an rpm either. Less rpm=less vibrations and less harmonics=quieter ride.

garys 68

I've got a Richmond 6 speed with the Long shifter, similar design. Definitely shifts better than the old Muncie. As for durability, the rating is largely dependent on the 1st gear ratio. If you're not going to be drag racing, you'll be fine. With 2.something rear, I'm guessing you'll be just cruising with it.
With the torque of a 455 you can get by with a lower than 10:1 overall ratio.