I have a 65 Canso (same as Nova, but built by Pontiac in Canada, some difference in trim pieces).

The car is a Sport Deluxe with powerglide and console. I also have a 4 speed console and would like to convert the car to a 5 Speed OD. I am thinking Richmond at this point as the Tremec requires substantial floor modifications.

Has anyone done a conversion to Richmond 5 speed in a first gen or 2nd gen Nova ?

Can you locate the shifter in the same spot as the stock Muncie to use the stock console ? Richmond tech indicates that Long makes an offset shifter that "could" do the trick.

What kind of floor or tunnel mods were required ? A friend has installed a Richmond 6 speed into a 69 Camaro with basically no tunnel mods. The first gen nova and Camaro tunnels vary.

Any comments / suggestions appreciated.

Thanks.......Ken.

Hey Ken,

it just so happens that another Ken, Ken Gilliam, has experience with a Richmond 5spd in his 1st Genner ChevyII. you might try shooting him a "PM" (Private Message) and ask him to check out your thread... here's his profile link: http://www.novas.net/forums/member.php?u=750

i'm sure Ken can hook you up with any info you might need, he's a friendly & helpful guy :thumbsup:

just don't tell him i said so :eek: ;) :D


JR (Welcome to Team Nova also) :D

Thanks fot the suggestion. I will contact Ken.

Assistance much appreciated.

Thx........Ken.

Usually the Richmond 5 speed will fit anywhere a Muncie 4 speed does. There are shifters made by Hurst also that may use the same floor location as stock.

But IIRC the Richmond 5 speed that fits without mods is not an overdrive transmission, it has a deep 1st gear to allow the use of a high axle ratio for cruising in 5th gear. The Super Street version with overdrive appears to be larger, may need floor cutting and costs more than the Tremec, actually they both cost more.

BTW the Tremec floor mods are not extensive.

I put an old school Doug Nash 4+1 in my 63. I think it is still the same as the richmond. I only used it because I had it, I think there are better 5 speeds available that can handle more HP and shift faster.

I took it out of a 68 Camaro, it fits the Camaro better than the first gen Nova. Mine was a powerglide car, so no shift hump. I have no idea if it would fit in the stock location. The tunnel is not wide enough to clear the shift linkage, I cut the side out about a foot or so long and added metal to make room. I built a shift hump out of sheet metal, the shifter would sit inside the car without it. The floorpan had to be modified for the speed-o cable to. I think the drive shaft fits with just a yoke change. The cross member has to be moved back a few inches. I just made new mounts farther back on the floor pan/sub frame.

I hope this helps with your install, I'm really good at doing things the hard way though.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/KenGilliam/Parts/DCP_2315.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/KenGilliam/Parts/DCP_2317.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/KenGilliam/Parts/DCP_2356.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/KenGilliam/Parts/DCP_2366.jpg

Thanks Gentlemen for the info and the pictures.

It looks like that shifter comes through in pretty much the same location as a Muncie but pretty hard to tell for sure.

Assistance appreciated. I will let you know what I go with and how it works.

Thanks Gentlemen for the info and the pictures.

It looks like that shifter comes through in pretty much the same location as a Muncie but pretty hard to tell for sure.

Assistance appreciated. I will let you know what I go with and how it works.


i'll agree and say the shifter appears to come through the floor in the stock location :thumbsup:




Hey Kenny, thanks for helping Ken with the info, i/we appreciate it :thumbsup:


Johnny :D