Thread: 411's or Richmond 5 speed

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Posted earlier about changing to 4.11's or 4.56's for the track. Been doing some thinking about keeping my 3.08's and going with a Richmond 5 speed or a used Doug Nash 5 speed. Would this tranny give me the equivalent to 411's or more? Any imput would be greatly appreciated.

nope, 4th gear is a 1:1 ratio, 5th is overdrive... the trans makes 4.11's a nice gear for the street. You've got to change the rear end gears to have a deeper ratio for the track.

Now I'm getting confused. The Richmond has a first gear ratio of 3.27, 2.13 second, 1.57 third, 1.23 fourth, & 1 to 1 fifth. My M21 has ( I think) 2.20 first, 1.64 second, 1.28 third, & 1to1 fourth. The Richmond being so much lower, has got to change my final drive ratio, doesnt it. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks Al

Originally Posted by Alcamino

Now I'm getting confused. The Richmond has a first gear ratio of 3.27, 2.13 second, 1.57 third, 1.23 fourth, & 1 to 1 fifth. My M21 has ( I think) 2.20 first, 1.64 second, 1.28 third, & 1to1 fourth. The Richmond being so much lower, has got to change my final drive ratio, doesnt it. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks Al

Richmond 5th is 1 to1. There 6 speed is an overdrive. Tremec's 5 speed is an overdrive.
Ken

Originally Posted by Alcamino

Now I'm getting confused. The Richmond has a first gear ratio of 3.27, 2.13 second, 1.57 third, 1.23 fourth, & 1 to 1 fifth. My M21 has ( I think) 2.20 first, 1.64 second, 1.28 third, & 1to1 fourth. The Richmond being so much lower, has got to change my final drive ratio, doesnt it. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks Al

The Richmond 3.27 first gear will make your 3.08 rear axle the equivalent of a 4.57 behind a Muncie. The final drive ratio will be lower in every gear except fifth.

You'll have a little more RPM drop between 1st and 2nd with the Richmond, but the RPM drop between the rest of the gears is the same as the Muncie. More grunt on the bottom, same ratio in on the top.

Ooops sorry, guess I was a bit behind on the Richmonds. It does change your ratio through the gears.

I've switched to Tremecs a number of years back, though I still have one of the old Doug Nash competion 5 speeds that is a 1:1 fifth. I like having the overdrive gear to cruise down the highway, and the tall rear gears for the street.

Guess it depends on what you're using it for. the final ratio of course does change when your going through the gears.... I prefer the deeper rear end gears and the overdrive in fifth for cruising, for drag racing only, then I'd run a 5th as 1:1

Unless they've upgraded the torque handling capabilities of the Richmond's, they used to be limited to about 375 ft. lbs.... might want to check that out too...

In my roadster with a Richmond 5 speed I have 3.20 gears with a 31.5" tall tire, 65 m.p.h. is about 2,200 rpm.
My truck has a tremec 5 speed with 4.11 and a 31.5" tire at 65 m.p.h. is about 2,200 rpm.
Funny how things work out.
Ken

yup, couple ways to achieve the same result.... Being more racer, I like the deep rear gears...some days I'm almost civilized enough to be allowed on the streets!!!!!!!
Guess I still think in terms of launching the car on the track, and street as something to do on Saturday night when the strip isn't open...... therefore, the high number rear gear, and overdrive when I think I might have to be on the street... Sometimes just racing once a week isn't enough!!!!!

what dave really means is he has a doug nash he is holding onto for me

When I'm setting things up like this I base everything on horsepower. My truck doesn't have near the power of my roadster so then I go to a steeper gear.
I agree with Dave "gear it for fun"
Ken

Thanks alot guys, great info. I'll let you know what I decide.