if you want performance in a trans, beef the t5 or buy say a jerico or lenco setup, cause the 6 spd isnt anything special. ok so its torque rated to 400 lb/ft but unless youve got that much its a waste. 5th geaar is aa .76 od, which, with 3.28 gears cruises 60 at about 2500 rpm, decent. but the 6th gear, .50 od, cruises 60 at an alarmingly low 1600 rpms with the same gear. the new t56 that comes mated ONLY to the ls6 in the 01 z06 vettes have a 6th of .76, and are pricey. i believe fifth is something like .89 in said tranny. now if you want a bit stronger, lower geared t56, the 95 up vipers, yes THOSE vipers, use a beefier t56 with i believe similair gears to an ls6 t56, but hennesey built an 833 horse viper using the stock, bone stock t56, and yes it should bolt up to a small block. however, its not much cheaper. in my opinion, just build a t5 with stronger internals, its cheaper and arguably better thn the 6 spd. later

 

I don't think you'd run "3.28" gears with a T56 for two reasons:

1.) T56's like 3.73-4.11
2.) Nobody makes 3.28's for 10's or 9 bolts.

Me thinks its time to put down the magazine and calculator.

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-Jason M. 1991 Camaro Z28

 

oops, double post

[This message has been edited by L98IROCZ89 (edited June 30, 2001).]

 

Besides that...

The T56 is very strong. The fact that the 5th and 6th gear are really high gears is a good thing! This contributes to good gas mileage... why would you want to be in 6th gear on the highway, going 70 and revving at 2500rpm? 1500 is much better!

The T56 is a very strong tranny. I saw this guys webpage who was running 10's in his 95 Z28... pushing over 700hp and he still had the BONE STOCK T56 in there and it was holding up with no problems whatsoever.

Food for though...

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***The driver formerly known as 89IROCZ***

1989 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
350c.i. TPI, rebuilt 700R4 auto w/shift kit, Dual catalyst Monza PaceSetter Cat-Back (currently no muffler, sounds on webpage) 3.23 Posi rear, Hypertech chip, Under-Drive pulleys, AFPR, K&N's, moddified MAF, Alarm, Keyless entry, remote starter, 92 Z28 AeroWing, Brand New Paint (6/21/01)

Future: ZZ4 TPI w/EGR, T56, 3.42 or 3.73, Spohn SFC, strut tower brace and LCA's

1989 Chevrolet Celebrity Eurosport
2.8 MPFI, no mods
225,000 miles and still ticking!

More info, pictures and sounds (of the IROC) available on my webpage: http://go.to/iroc-z

AOL IMer: GPA 0point0

 

I have a T56 with 3.42's and I love it. It is by far a better trans than a T5. It shifts so much smoother than T5's. I have 92,000 miles on my 94 Z-28 and I used to race it every weekend. I speed shift it all the time and it is still holding up.

 

What is the part number for a T56?? any type from GM will do.

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--Steve S--
1984 Trans Am 305 LG4, 5 speed Daily Driver, Flowmaster 80 Series
Holley 600 cfm & vacuum advance
Soon: Edlebrock Intake & TES

 

Besides the fact there are no parts to beef up a T5, a T56 is the best and most cost-efficient choice to put in a thirdgen. Right after that would be a Tremec 5-speed. You want a T56 from a 93-97 LT1 f-body. Brand new they're $2200 just for the trans, but used the complete changeover kit goes for <$1000 to >$1700. I got mine for $1000, but I had to take it off the car. See the tech article on this site about how to install a T56.


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1991 Camaro Z28
5.7L 5-Speed (originally 305)
13.23 @ 107.62 MPH
Southern California
Member: SoCal 3rd Gen F-Bodies
Webmaster: SoCal F-Bodies
-=ICON Motorsports=-

 

I hate it when idiots that don't know anything talk out their poop shoot. If you don't know something shut the hell up or ask someone that knows! Its not praticle to have a shifter with a lever for every gear! why would a DODGE bolt to a CHEVY? It "should"?? you don't know what the hell you're talking about!!!!!!

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-Tas
'89 Formula WS-6

305, TBI, auto, 14x3 chrome flat based open element with K&N, Milodon 160* thermo, functional Formula hood, cross-flow Flowmaster, '99z28 rear pipes and tips....

Soon to be installed:
Hooker 1-5/8" 50 state legal headers, Dynomax 3" I pipe (PN 44063 and 43248), Catco 3" cat, and injector spacer.

Super GRK_Taz World
F-Body Dual Exaust
EFI & Intake Options
AOL IM: superGRtaz

 

it is FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTEY FOOT POUNDS NOT FOUR HUNDERED, 450 not 400....BIG Difference when you want to squeeze all you can out of it.

 

He's expressing his own internal anger at himself because he just found out what a transmission was...go easy on him...heh heh heh.

Hmmmmm....beef up T5 or install T56......both are PITAs, one has a certain ooooh-ahhhh factor.....I was switchin from AT and went with the T56 and a 3.73 rear...I'll take it over the T5 any day.

Kelly

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If you've gotta fix it, fix it better than stock.

 

ok for those looking for info... here are the facts...

the real problem with the T5 is the case flexes under extreme torque... so upgrading the internals will not solve the low torque rating problem...

now... as for the t56...

the 93 T56 was rated at 400ftlbs and had different gearing from the 94-97 T56 which was rated at 450...

other options are available too... you can buy and aftermarket t56 that will bolt to a t5 bellhousing and has a cable driven speedo gear...

t5s cost less money and work for stock applications... but i am still looking to put a T56 in my vert as soon as i can come up with the money...

 

SilverstreakII, you are mistaken about A LOT of things, just like a lot of the writers of these magazines you are reading. First off, the T-56 that was rated at 400 lbs/ft of torque was one of the 2 styles of T-56's offered in 1993, this version had a 2.97:1 1st gear, and a .62:1 6th gear, the other 1993 version, was rated at 360 lbs/ft of torque, and had a 3.36:1 1st gear with the same .62:1 6th gear. Both of these trannies are hard to come by and both of these trannies can handle MUCH MORE than what they are rated for my B/W. The 1994-97 T-56's, ALL have the SAME ratio's as the STOCK VIPERS:
2.66:1 1st
1.78:1 2nd
1.30:1 3rd
1.00:1 4th
0.74:1 5th
0.50:1 6th
The ONLY difference between the VIPER and the F-BODY T-56's are the BELLHOUSING's, different input shaves, 30-spline output shave's, it has been said that the VIPER T-56 has hardened gears a
d internal shaves. Some people have used the VIPER boxes in their projects, like Rod Steilow, but the VIPERS DO NOT HAVE DIFFERENT GEAR RATIO'S. BTW, the C5's use a M12, not a T-56, totally different beast, and TOTALLY INCOMPATIBLE. I've had my 1994 T-56 in my car now for 3-years, and it IS the BEST GEARBOX PERIOD!!!!!!!! IF YOU HAD ONE, YOU WOULD'NT have made that thoughtless and foolish statement. Stop reading and get the FACTS STRAIGHT. BTW, the T-5 that you are talking about that can be built stronger than the T-56, DOE NOT EXIST, there is a company that makes a few parts to replace some inferior internal parts, but the true key to making a T-5 or WC T-5 live, is to reduce the overall vehiucle weight, and CHANGE your driving style....PERIOD.

------------------
88 Monte SS 355 TPI/LT-4 HOT CAM/AFR Hydra-rev/ T-56 6-Speed/1-3/4" full length headers/3" X-PIPE assembly/ 8.5" G-80 rear with 3.73 gears.
http://community.webshots.com/user/ssynergy
www.y-t-g.com/88monte

[This message has been edited by 88SS6SPEED (edited July 01, 2001).]

 

you guys have a lot of hostility 1.either go see you r friend and lay down on the couch and talk about your insecurities or two ask someone for a hug the origi"****"statemennt was an opinion everyone is intitled to that no matter how it sounds to you.

my opinion get a tremec tko = 3.27 frst gear,450lb.ft. rating,a .67 od,main reason for buying one you don't need a new or fabbed crossmember,it fits without clearencing the opening in the floor,it comes with a standard speedo for the 3rd gen,and you dont have to change your gears right away see how much you lose when you launch a 2.66 6 speed 3.42 rear v/s a 3.27 tremec with even a 3.27(10.69).still has a better ratio than the(9.17)6 speed the you have a major poiintt when iit comes to od but some people don't need it(i drive mine about 45 miles a week)

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87 trans am 350 L98 aluminum heads,LT4 hot cam,slp runners,headers,y-pipe,edelbrock base,hi flo cat,air foil,ported plenum,t-5 tranny w/centerforce clutch and a 3.27 9bolt,ads strip chip,relocated iat sensor,hollowed maf

14.10@97mph w/2.01 60'
superram coming soon

 

Yeah, I hate that extra over drive too. I miss the sound of my motor bouncing off the rev limiter so I could keep up with traffic on the highway! NOT! I just took my new engine out on a post break in cruise. 23-24 mpg on the highway. Not to shabby. To hell with the t-5, I am sticking with the T-56 and 3.73 gears!

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1992 Pontiac Firebird 350/Six Speed
1987 Toyota Pickup 383/500+ HP

 

way a head of yah, i alread have the 3.73s installed, now I just need an engine and trans!