Transmission Choices?

[blykins]

Yes, but you have to look at the final drive ratio as well. The beauty of a wide ratio Toploader is that you have a lower 2.78:1 1st gear, which helps out with a higher rearend ratio (like a 3.31), but that same 3.31 rearend will help you cruise at a lower rpm.

For example, with that 3.31 rearend and the usual 26.5" rear tire, with a Toploader you'd be turning 2300 at 55 mph and 2900 at 70.

Keep in mind that a lot of your Richmond transmissions do not have overdrives, but they are made to have a lower 1st gear and a 1:1 5th gear. The transmissions that have the overdrives are the most expensive at over $3500. In my opinion, that's a lot of money to spend just for an external linkage.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by blykins

Yes, but you have to look at the final drive ratio as well. The beauty of a wide ratio Toploader is that you have a lower 2.78:1 1st gear, which helps out with a higher rearend ratio (like a 3.31), but that same 3.31 rearend will help you cruise at a lower rpm.

For example, with that 3.31 rearend and the usual 26.5" rear tire, with a Toploader you'd be turning 2300 at 55 mph and 2900 at 70.

Keep in mind that a lot of your Richmond transmissions do not have overdrives, but they are made to have a lower 1st gear and a 1:1 5th gear. The transmissions that have the overdrives are the most expensive at over $3500. In my opinion, that's a lot of money to spend just for an external linkage.

Brent - with a mild 289/302, how high (low numeric) can you go with diff ratio, in combo with a WR Toploader?
2900 at 70mph sounds a little high. With a 3.08 rear, does the overall gearing in first with a WR Toploader become too high?
Glen

[RICK LAKE]

LMH Larry The richmond have the same mount location as most 4 speeds. From my experience the ONLY thing is the shifter setup. I have a short mustang shifter that bends forward about 2-3 inches. If you go with the orginal shifter this will be fine. The issue is it's slow from gear to gear changes. This is the only advantage between internal and external linkage trannies. I do have a vertigate for my 5 speed but it doesn't work on the track to well when down shifting. I have never missed a gear on the up shift. I think the 2.87 first gear will be more than enough to get your car moving. Not sure if they have a couple of different gear sets. If your motor have a good low torque band, the lower overdrive gear would be ok. IMO I beleive that you get what you pay for with any part. I also like the "KISS" method for engineering, The less shafts the better, wider gears, support in case for main shafts. For a better linkage kit for the shifter make your own heim joint rods and bend to work. This removes the springs and plastic washers to the fork arms. I think someone even sell a shifter kit like this. God luck with the trans, Going this way myself. Rick L. Ps check the measurement between the face of the trans and the end of the input shaft. Some tranny need to have the input cut down if using a lakewood beel and a GM input shaft. .380" is the measurement with a lakewood. Some one here sell a shorter shaft, Richmond may also do the same. If you don't check this measure ment you could destroy the thrust bearing in the motor and wipe it out. I use a roller bearing in the crankshaft end, same one for 15 years and no problem. Bushings work fine too.

[blykins]

Originally Posted by xb-60

Brent - with a mild 289/302, how high (low numeric) can you go with diff ratio, in combo with a WR Toploader?
2900 at 70mph sounds a little high. With a 3.08 rear, does the overall gearing in first with a WR Toploader become too high?
Glen

Glen,

It's all a function of what you like and what you can get away with. To me, 2900 doesn't sound bad at all, but to others, it would seem like the engine was screaming.

I don't think a 3.08 would be too high, but of course there's a point where you start lugging the engine instead of multiplying the gear ratios and helping things out.

I don't have any past experience with that particular combination, so I'm not sure if it would be hampering the engine's performance or not. Of course you do have the light weight of a Cobra on your side.

[RET_COP]

I have a 3.27 rear gear ratio and a 3.27 1st gear. I like the idea of letting out the clutch quickly ( no wear) and idling at 7- 8 MPH in parking lots at car show, through small towns and the like. It makes cruising fun.
Lou