Shifter Relocation Ford/Tremec 6Spd

[Route 66]

We are looking for some feedback on a relocation forward of the shifter for a Ford/Tremec T56 shifter. The gearbox is behind a XR8 Boss260 5.4 Quad. We do not have the engine in the chassis as yet but from rough measurements we will need to have the shifter between 100mm and 130mm forward to be in the ideal location. Peter R has sent us a couple of photos of fabricated shifters he has made at the factory. The concept looks fairly simple although fabrication of this kind of thing is not something we are keen on if we can find an option.

If anyone is aware of an off the shelf soultion that gives a solid and precise shift it would be greatly appreciated. We have heard a few comments about 2 to 3 shifts issues with the standard shifter and do not want to compound this problem.





Regards


Route 66

[Aussie Mike]

That looks like a T5 gearbox in your pics. T56 is a little different.

Here's what I do. It's not exactly an off the shelf solution since it requires a complete strip down of the gearbox.





I've done a lot of them now and worked out the mod back in 2003.

Shift quality is significantly improved from the stock shifter setup.

Cheers

[07cob]

Route66

I have looked at options for the T5 and this is the only commercial option I have seen:

Mustangs Plus

I would be interested in feedback in shift feel with one of these or the similar setups that Peter has done. 1-2, 3-4 should be OK but I would think that 2-3 and 3-5 might be a little stiff.

Mike, I would be interested if a similar solution to yours could be applied to the T5. There would be plenty of interest, I would think.

Geof

[sideshow]

I've just bout finished wiring a cobra with 6lt and t56
It's had the shifter moved forward but a shop or a guy somewhere around or near Gold Coast area. I don't know who did it
We can only select two or three gears at moment but we have only ran motor for 5 seconds
Next week I will finish off the wiring and give the motor a good warm up to test fans etc etc
Then will see if the gearbox selects all gears once we get oil around everything
Hopefully it's ok as it's not an easy job to remove gbox as u all know

I haven't tried pressing clutch in to see if I can get more gears
Maybe that might help too. Was too busy figuring out the wipers and hazards hehehehe

[Krait]

Mal Wood does a shift relocation for the T56. He may be able to help with a T5.

He's located in Warwick, Qld.

Mal supplied my T56 with the conversion, a nice bloke and great service.

Cheers

[Mando]

07cob, why on earth would you consider that Mustang setup when Aussie Mike has done so many conversions for other Cobra owners or as Krait has advised Mal Wood in Queensland is also capable of supplying a top notch conversion. I don't want to appear negative but to me other than the beautiful machine work, that's seems to be the most ridiculous setup I've seen.

Regards.

[Stokesy]

Hi there,
I recently did the mod in question. Parts were found built by a guy named Red Roberts and supplied from Summitracing in the states. My freind an i managed to install the kit in a week end at home in the garage requiring only basic tooling. All instructions supplied from the vendor. Feel free to PM to discuss i have some photos that migh help if you choose to DIY

Regards,
Stokesy

[07cob]

Mando

No intention of going with that set up. It was just the only commercially available option that I could find on the interweb for the T5. It also looks like a similar setup to the photos originally posted. I have considered fabricating one that sits below the tunnel but I would like to know how it shifts first. I suspect that cross shifting would require more effort.

Mike's is certainly an excellent solution but I am not sure if it could be made to work on a T5. If so, I would be very interested. My shifter sits around about at my elbow so any movement forward would be good.

Geof

[Route 66]

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies!

I am not 100% sure exactly what model the gearboxes in Peter's photos (1st post) are although the bottom one looks like a Ford version T56 to me. Either way our application is definitely for a Ford T56 6 Spd which came out of our XR8 donor car. (It was not the original gearbox in the car as it would have come standard with a 5spd). I have attached photos of our box and the alternate shifter location plate is too far forward to be of use to us. We only need between 100 mm and 150 mm to get the perfect location. Stokesy's post sounds promising and I will definitely drop him a line for some more info as I can't seem to find anything that matches on the Summitracing site?

Garry from DRB said that the front pivot in the top photo which is from Peters' Citric Green Cobra is a ball joint they adapted. I am not sure what type it is but seems an innovative idea. The linkage does concern me a little and I had thought that maybe a dual link (one either side) might make it more rigid and stable but we shall see? We had also considered replacing the original mechanism with an aftermarket one to tighten up that part of the shift but first things first.





Thanks again for the assistance.



Route 66

[Aussie Mike]

That's a T56 alright but the extension housing on the Ford version is quite different to the GM one.

That cover plate nearer the middle of the box is an inspection cover over the detent mechanism and that's where my mid shift comes out. Too far forward for your application.

You may want to look at adapting up a VE commodore extension housing. This has an external shift mechanism that could be shortened to the position you need it. Probably more work than it's worth though.

[WKB]

The T56 from the XR6T or F6 will go close to what you want. The extension housing on these gearboxes are shorter than the V8 gearboxes.

Warren