58 Vette with a 6 speed Richmond Tranny

[Clark Chapman]

Has anyone attempted to retrofit one onf these tranny's into a C1 (1958) Vette?
I'm looking to see if this tranny will fit and how much work is involved to get better milage with an overdrive.

Thx,
Clark

[James F.]

Re: 58 Vette with a 6 speed Richmond Tranny

Clark,
I took a look at a C1 ('60-'62?) with a Richmond 6 speed on Mike's McCagh's lift during the road tour to Lake Placid. It was a tight fit with the extenal shift rods (and there is a lot om them) just clearing the trans tunnel. I recall there was not cutting of fiberglass involved. I believe a rear trans crossmember had to be fabricated. Also check out the the Keisler TRO-1 5-speed. 5th is a .68 overdrive. Regards,

[Bob Simard]

That was my 60

I did install a Richmond 6-speed in my 60. It was tight and took me about a year to get the shifter right. I modified the stock shifter to handle six gears in the space available. NO fiberglass was cut or modified.

[Clark Chapman]

Re: That was my 60

Cool....
Bob, Any tips you can provide on the shifter mod would be helpful.
Were you able to leave the stock shifter boot and plate in place?
What 6th gear ratio did you select for overdrive?
Looking to see what rpms you are running at 65 or 70mph. Rear gear ratio __ ?

Thx,
Clark

[Bob Simard]

Re: That was my 60

I replaced the three quarter inch thick shift levers with four 3/16 inch thick levers. The reverse lockout had to be ground down to account for the reduced thickness and the roll pin that engages the levers was ground thinner. The stock boot and bezel are intact and in place. The unit looks stock. With a 3.70 rear, my rpms dropped from 4000 to 3000 at 80 mph. (0.76 sixth gear.) Currently running 215/70 tires on seven inch rims. The other major change was to change the clutch plate to a 26 spline unit.

[Loren Smith]

Re: 58 Vette with a 6 speed Richmond Tranny

I just ordered a Fortes GM Tremec 5 speed for my 59, and am awaiting delivery. I have the body off the frame, so the install should be easier. I currently have a Muncie installed, and the shifter fits in the stock console location (where the Borg Warner used to reside). Fortes now has the shifter location option, the same as Keisler's, set in the stock Muncie location (20 inches back from the bellhousing, 2 inches offset to the left). I ordered it (at an extra cost of $300.00) because I did not want to have to cut the console, and replace the carpet section. Still, Fortes is selling their Tremec for significantly less than Keisler. They advertise a 525 ft/lb torque rating.

Has anyone else installed a GM Tremec 5 speed in their C1? Will the tranny body itself be two wide to fit in the tunnel without cutting? How did you fabricate and install a new crossmember to hold the Tremec?