t56 or Richmond 5 Speed?

I'm trying to come up with a workable engine/****** combo for my 40 Ford. I've been in touch with Mike at Schrader's in California (he was great, very generous with his time and patient with a rookie like me) and am leaning hard towards using one of his Caddy motors. Mike used a T56 with a Caddy motor in his 36, and I'd like to duplicate that combo, but, the T56 is very pricey. Would I be better off using a Richmond or other five speed, forgetting about the 6th gear, and spending the cost savings elsewhere? Any ideas or suggestions?

 

I'd go the Richmond/nash as you can find them on the net - egay or racingjunk.com for reasonable. They are already "race" oriented so lifespan should be......forever...unless your destructive!!

A T5 from a stang might due but I think 300 lbs. of torque are max in stock form. With some upgrades they can see double that.

Paco

 

I bought a new t56 when they first came out 2,800 bucks I think ?

they are all over craigslist for around a grand now ,

and good for 600 hp ....the gas $ you save will pay for it

 

I have a richmond 6 spd. Dude, I would go for the T56. Although the richmond is very tough and will handle serious abuse (I drove it cross country pulling a trailer with a blown clutch slave cylinder once), it is loud, clunky, shifter selection is bad, and they don't really hold more torque than a properly prepared T56. I didn't even like it until the synchro's were about shot so it would actually throw a decent shift. The T56's I've driven have all been silky smooth, quiet, and now you can get a install kit for just about anything.

 

T56. I loved it behind my J2 Olds.

 

i have used several tremec tko-600 5 speeds.i wouldn't wast my time on anything else.

-danny

 

I'll second that - plus you have four different shifter location choices on the TKO.

 

Thanks for the advice - quick question re the TKO600. Can I position the shifter far enough forward to be able to still run a bench seat, and will it hold up to the torque that the Cadillac motor will produce? Thanks again for the help - this forum is the best.

 

Yes and yes

 

Check out the TKO at www.mcleodind.com. www.5speeds.com is also another great source of info.

 

I got my T56 from Rockland Standard. No regrets at all. I'd do it again in a minute.

The LT1 case bolts right up to sb/bb Chevys, and can use the stock hydraulic clutch setup (which I did). Pedal pressure is easy and consistent.

There are alternative shifter mount points, too.

With a 500-plus hp SBC in a 3,700 lb car, and a 3.89:1 rear gear, I still get 20 mpg on the freeway.

~Scotch~

 

I would avoid the Richmond 5 speed like The Plague. They call it the Street 5-Speed because of the minute that you try to do anything serious with it, it will hang up between gears. It is VERY, VERY frustrating. I spent alot of money on mine and set up the shifter meticuously but after doing some Interent research, I learned that they are known for this. That's why Richmond just released a newly designed version that costs over $3100! I bet that's a hot seller at that price. Get yourself a TKO, nothing but good things said about them and reasonably priced.

 

Get the TKO 600 from summit or jegs you will be verry happy the trans is 5-sped and 600 ftlbs capable or kit trans cross member yoke etc

 

Here is the dealer locator for Tremec http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English/aftermarket/distributor.asp I personally like the TKO's for the various shifter locations, however the T56 is a nice 6-speed that you can find in the $5-600 range. I prefer TTC to Richmond for Price and features.

Most of the Richmonds dont have overdrive unless you get the super street version with overdrive