Richmond 5 Speed - Good Street Transmission?

[EZ Nova]

NOT SO FAST.

Paul, with the little 302 the 5sp might be a better trans for you. especially at the track. Seen that geared trans behind small small, not huge Hp motors over the years at the track. Most 283/302's. Due to the milder/less powerful engine, the more gears help accelerate these cars down the track, can keep the engine higher and into the power band better due to the RPM drop on gear changes. Same "idea" is behind NHRA Pro Stocks running 5 speed and not 4!

Now if this 5sp was behind a 800Hp BB, then that's different as brute Hp/Tq would help overcome a wide gear spread and RPM drop on gear changes. Our 3sp auto's usually only "see" about 900RPM change thought the 1/4! from RPM launch to dropping the 'chute, we try to stay within a 900RPM operating window. Just some food for thought.

If it were me (and I have a DN 4+1 with 3.39 and 3.25 first for my BB) and I had that little 302, I would for sure try the 5sp.