T56 in a SPF -- We did it. - Page 3

PANAVIA · #41 (**permalink**) 05-04-2010, 10:45 PM

Update 5000 miles ; I need to change the shift handle angle a bit as occasionally if i am shifting in anger ( leaving a punk in his Audi S4 in the dust ) the angle is off a bit.

If you are thinking of a TKO for a windsor, i really think for almost the same money, you can get into a T56 and really spool it up a bit. -- I am running 3.46 Dana from a 2008 superformance. -- if you ran 3.73's or 4.00+ gears this would be even smoother.

joyridin' · #42 (**permalink**) 05-05-2010, 04:23 AM

As mentioned earlier, I run a 4.56. This is a bit high, but 3.90's would seem to be a perfect gear for this transmission set-up.

PANAVIA · #43 (**permalink**) 08-10-2010, 08:33 PM

UPDATE 8-10-10, 7500miles -- Changed trans fluid last week to see if there was any nasties -- none to be reported.

The throwout bearing is making some odd noises , - I used the one from ford in the B302N king cobra clutch kit. --

it only makes a slight chirping when depressed, I will have to look at this after Monterey.

Steve

FUNFER2 · #44 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010, 01:04 PM

I'm trying to make up my mind between the 600 & T-56 Magnum.
I need to talk with fellow Lone Star owners about the install. I have a older 2000 model year. Brian at LSC has used the T-56 in a few cars and hear the Roush1 and Gobra have also installed this tranny. Brian states that my older car has a X-brace behind the tranny tail housing and that I do not need to be concerned about removing it, as the newer car's do not have this X-member.

I do travel highways & interstate's so, the extra gear would be nice. With my gears being 350 or 370 (I think) at 60 mph, the rpm is 2,000.

How well does it fit ?
Brian says I need to cut the 90 degree frame to a 45 degree, near the tail shaft, I think ?
I have a new QuickTime bell housing for a FE, can I use it or needing one designed for the Magnum ?
Is it worth the time to modify ?
I assume the drive shaft will need to be shortened, how much ?
It's already short ! lol
Do you loose any suspension travel ?

I would like to chat via phone so, please email/PM me your number or you may call me.

402-781-2322

blue oval · #45 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 02:37 AM

I would like to replace my jericho 4 spd with a t56 magnum. Is a t56 available w/o bellhousing for 351w. I have 2 disc ceramic clutch. thanx for input, much appreciated.

blykins · #46 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 03:42 AM

B/O,

I can help you with that. What's the size and spline of your clutch discs?

blue oval · #47 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 10:24 AM

Thanx Brent, clutch is 7 1/4, 26 spline, Tilton clutch & throwout bearing, Magnesium bellhousing.

blue oval · #48 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 10:33 AM

FYI, my car is 6+ years to build. (built on a budget),alot of fab & welding. 67 A&C ,nascar bush motor & running gear ,(milder cam &valve springs). BO

blykins · #49 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 10:33 AM

Is it an 1-1/8"x26?

You understand that you won't be able to use your existing bellhousing, correct?

blue oval · #50 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 10:37 AM

Panavia-- Great job, great documentation, & good pics

blue oval · #51 (**permalink**) 08-13-2010, 10:17 AM

Brent, yes it is 1 1/8-26. I don't have to have a 6 spd. but with 4.10 gears it would work well. being a drysump motor the mtr is set low & I don't want the bell lower than the oil pan.

FUNFER2 · #52 (**permalink**) 08-14-2010, 11:44 AM

Roush #1 -
Jody, please contact me.

B.M.B.C · #53 (**permalink**) 12-09-2012, 12:11 PM

Does anyone know if a T56 magnum will fit into a SPF #3000 series with a 482 sideoiler?

blykins · #54 (**permalink**) 12-09-2012, 12:20 PM

It will, but consider other options...

The T-56 requires about $300 of modifications to the midplate to work with an FE. It's also much more expensive, heavier, longer, and doesn't offer any advantage to a prepped TKO 600.

Great Asp · #55 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blykins

and doesn't offer any advantage to a prepped TKO 600.

An extra gear and modern cones for shifting?

TKO 600 even with the Liberty Gear kit does not shift like a well prepared T-56...IMO

E

blykins · #56 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 06:42 AM

That's because the Liberty gear setups are not synchronized....

The TKO has a modern gear cone and you can get it in two different overdrives, one being the same the T-56 comes with.

I would never advocate a T-56, especially when a modified TKO 600 is rated for over 700 lb-ft of torque and will shift much smoother up to 7000 rpm.

The '56 is worthless in my eyes and is only good for the guys that wanna say, "Yeah, I have SIX gears..."

scottj · #57 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 07:32 AM

My current car is the 4th iteration in 12 years. The foundation of the current build is a close-ratio T56 Magnum and EFI. While I would not have been have been able to realize the full potential of 6 speeds with past engine combinations, modern EFI and 6 spd retained past performance AND provides unheard of drivability.

Great Asp · #58 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blykins

That's because the Liberty gear setups are not synchronized....

The TKO has a modern gear cone and you can get it in two different overdrives, one being the same the T-56 comes with.

I would never advocate a T-56, especially when a modified TKO 600 is rated for over 700 lb-ft of torque and will shift much smoother up to 7000 rpm.

The '56 is worthless in my eyes and is only good for the guys that wanna say, "Yeah, I have SIX gears..."

I do not mean to argue, more trying to learn something and have a conversation.

I had a problem with my stock TKO-600 so I turned to Geroge Rockland at Rockland Gear for help. My 2nd-3rd shifts under power just would block out 3rd. I bought the Liberty kit, George installed it.

George's opinion was that the T-56 mod'd was not only a better shifting transmission but it could handle more power to the TKO-600 (George called the TKO a "truck transmission").

Tremec T56 - Rockland Standard Gear, Inc.

For me, I would have liked the 6-speeds only because with the 3:56 rear I felt that no matter what I did with the TKO selection there would be compromise either at the low end or at the high end.

With the Liberty kit my power shifts are easier from 2-3rd, no question. But I have run a Tranzilla before in a high horsepower Mustang before, and it shifts better.

E

blykins · #59 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 08:53 AM

The TKO 500/600 out of the box takes a while to break-in, and even then does not like to be speed shifted at high rpms. However, that's easily remedied and the torque capacity can be increased to the capacity of a Magnum T-56.

You will pay $2895 for a T-56 that weighs 30 lbs more than a TKO, is several inches longer (which is a major deterrent in non-IRS Cobras), is much bigger around in girth, and on top of that needs machine work to work with a lot of applications.

A TKO 600, prepped for shifting modifications and 700 lb-ft torque rating is $2825.

Sure, you don't have two overdrives, but I haven't seen a scenario yet where two overdrives are needed. I grew up with T-56 Camaros/Firebirds and 2003/2004 Cobras that had T-56's, and 6th was never touched. In a Cobra with a rowdy SBF/FE, the extreme overdrives can not be tolerated anyway. A very mild engine with EFI will make a difference, but there again, I don't see any reason for the extra weight, dimensions, cost, etc.

joyridin' · #60 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 09:31 AM

To run a T56, you need a torque range that basically starts at 1400 RPM and goes up. I have one in my car and it is absolutely worthless without a doubt. You either have no first gear and a nice cruising 6th gear, or you have some semblance of first gear and a 6th gear that you cruise in at 1600 RPM. Way below what most Cobras probably need.

A 5 speed is a much better option.