Getting ready to have the 12 bolt rear put together somewhat soon. 456 gears. Been leaning toward Richmond but I have heard they have been having quality issues. Noisy... etc. Any ideas if Richmond streets are the gears of choice or is there something better out there? And I think I will stick with Strange axles.

 

the noise from the richmond gears is not a quality issue. they do have increased noise, but it is actually because of how they are made. they are good strong gears and they just make noise.

 

Right, the Richmonds are designed and set up specifically for drag racing; they are much stronger than "street" gears in that application. However, the things that make them better for drag racing (metallurgy and tooth shape) also make them weaker for the street; they do not last very long used that way.

If you're going to daily-drive this thing, or even put very many street miles on it, I'd recommend something else, like US Gear or Superior. If it's a strip-only car, or will see only very limited street use like Sat night only, then the Richmonds would be a good choice, and just live with the noise.

http://www.drivetrainspecialists.com...cat=GM+8.87SP+(12+BOLT+CAR)

 

thats interesting. how can they hold up to strip duties but not plain old street driving?

 

Kind of the same way that aluminum rockers hold up to 9000 RPM shifts in the 1320 but don't last on the street.

The metal Richmond uses is soft, so it sort of internally cushions the shock of hard launches; but the downside is, it wears. Street gears are hardened as hard as practical, which makes them highly wear-resistant; but that hardness makes them shatter under shock loading. Same for the teeth: they's cut straighter than street gears, so there's less sliding action going on, which allows them to be bigger; but they don't mesh as smoothly (which is where the noise comes from).

There's a big, big difference in how you design something for longevity in a racing situation (short bursts or short duration very high stress) compared to street longevity (many hundred thousand miles).

 

thanks man, you explained it well.

 

Its a weekend warrior, VERY liitle street time, guess I'll go with the softer Richmonds. Rear axle assembly is not my strong point, will have this part of it done for me. Just want to putt her around locally and be able to drive her to the track. ( less then 5 miles ). And drive her home again. I'm still fooling myself thinking I can get plates for this beast.