I just got back from a week in Lake Tahoe and found more posts to this thread. Any advice on where I could get info. on the Richmond stuff? Any help would be appreciated. Again it's a '70 GS455 factory 4spd car so I'm looking for as factory a look as possible. Thanx, Dave
Conversion complete The body shop called me last night, the Tremec is in. The modifications were not that bad. Basically, they cut the hump right down the middle and lifted each side up and welded in a 2 inch strip of metal. If I had ordered the optional Mcleod offset shifter it would have fit right in the factory hole. Because we are under a tight deadline we could not wait two weeks for it to show up. What they did was use a 68-70 chevelle hump and it fit perfectly and even covered up the old factory hole. The shifter is in the center of the hump now which is not correct but it does fit. Anyone contemplating this should order the offset shifter if they want it stock looking.
i have looked into this swap myself. i currently have all the parts to convert from an auto to a 4-speed. i have seen buickgsman's car and it is awesome! you can't tell that it has been chopped. but i would think that if the car is a 4-speed car, make it easy and go with the gear vendors unit. that will bolt onto the back of the 4-speed, it should only require a small about of tunnel work, and the shifter will remain in the factory spot. also there is not changing of linkage or any of that nonsence. that is what i would consider. john
The 5 speed could be better for some as with the 6 it is only one O/D. It just gives you an extra gear down lower.
I have a 1974 M-20 with the 26 spline input shaft. I was told that the Richmond couldn't handle our torque & hp. My car's combo is probably close to 500hp, 550 lbs-ft. Did you have to modify the driveshaft for the Richmond? If it will bolt right in, I would definitely go for the Richmond. Does the Richmond come in the 26 spline? :3gears:
Richmond claims it will work with much more power than that. I have close to the same power & I never had a problem. It is best to just get a new driveshaft as modifying the old one didn't work out well for me. Mine is a 26 spline.
.52 One last thing. I had a .62 6th gear for a while. I changed to a .52 & it is much better IMO. For those looking to convert to a 5 or 6 the .52 is really sweet on the highway.
were could i find a richmond 5 or 6 speed for a reasonable price possibly even one that needed rebuilt?
Hello S537, what ratio are you running in your diff, that works good with the .52 ratio in the tranny? thanks Gord
Hi Dwane,I'm planning to put a TKO 600 in my 67 and have read all the threads on this install.Sounds like a lot of work but sounds like its worth it.I'm interestd in the method you used to cut down the centre of the tunnel,and the hump install. Do you have any photos,did you install a console,what affect did the tunnel mods have on the carpet.I'm not planning on useing a console unless i need one to cover the mods. Any help would be appreciated . Cheers Bob
Hi Bob: I will post some pictures when I get back from the shop on Monday. I am not installing a console. We test fit the factory carpet and it covers up the Modification no problem. Unless there is another Buick stick car next to this one you would never know the difference. Dwane
Yes i took pics of the tko 600 install into my 67.I havn't posted pics on the board as i'm not sure how to do it.PM me your e-mail address & i will send some to you .Bob
