I was just wondering if you were to lose more power going through a T-56 than a WC T-5. Also I know that the T-56 is about the same weight as an auto, so why would anyone want a T-56 over a T-5 if they wouldn't need the extra overdrive and if the WC T-5 was built to handle the same torque as the T-56?

 

The T56 must use up a little more power than the T5. It's got more internal parts, which rotate, and that translates into parasitic loss through the trans.

The T56 certainly doesn't weigh the same as an auto though. They are about 120 lbs. and auto is more like 150 or more.

Building a T5 to handle the same power as a T56 will cost more than just using a stock T56, which is already rated to 450 lbs/ft.

The sixth gear is a mileage maker, and puts the T5s .7 overdrive to shame.

The T56 is a heavier duty trans than the T5. Under the same conditions the T56 will last longer and be more reliable, plus offer better mileage. The swap is also a near bolt in. I think this is why it is so popular. That's what led me to it.

 

.7 overdrive??? My rpm's are way lower in 5th gear than they were in OD with the auto and theconverter locked. I heard that some T-5 like mine have a .6 5th gear. I have 3.42 in the rear and I can barely use my 5th gear unless I am driving on a flat road and over 50-55. As soon as I get on a hill though I have to go to fourth. My car will do it in 5th but the vacuum goes WAY down and I know it is using a lot of gas. I weighed my T-5 and it and all the components INCULDING the flywheel, was 115 pounds. I drove my buddy's 01 Mustang with a T-56 and 3.73's and my first gear still seems better and I like my T-5 cause of it's size and factory-ness (not a word I know LOL). I was thinking it would be cheaper and easier for me to upgrade my T-5 since I already have a good clutch and shifter.

 

You have a .62 OD in your 5th gear T5. The T-56 has two OD gears. 5th is .7X and 6th is .5. The T-56 can literally take twice the abuse and power that a T5 can handle.

 

i agree with shifty. the t-56 can take more abuse then the t-5s anyday. the t-5s design wouldnt have changed if it didnt have its flaws. personaly im an auto man. i like the stick for fun and all, but when your pumping serious power, i would rather an auto. they can take the most abuse (not is stock form by any means) when built properly

 

I'm not saying I disagree with some of the things said here, but there are options.

I think since a T-56 has more rotating parts, along with weight, it would take slightly more HP to drive it.

I dunno. I have a built T-5, which costs about the same as a T-56 swap. Of course that all depends how cheap you can get a T-56 in the first place, and don't forget the crossmember, flywheel etc. required for the conversion. But nice in the end.

Then again, some think my casing will flex and destroy my trans...but my T-5 (upgraded) is rated higher than a T-56 (stock) They now sell upgraded gearsets for the T-56 as well!!

If you get an upgraded T-5, you can get a .59 ratio 5th gear. Great on the highway!

All in all, it's up to you. Either trans is an upgrade from a stock T-5...

 

I always viewed the advantage of the T56 over the T5 of ability to run a lower rear gear while staying close to the same up top. For example, for my T56, I ordered 3.73's whereas if i had a T5 I probably would have ordered 3.42 to keep my revs close to the same up top.

 

I know what you're saying Tom. I have 3.73's that came with my car originally. With the old stock T-5, my RPM's would be around 2600 at 70 MPH on the highway.

Now that I have the .59 ratio 5th gear, it's now a much happier 1900 at 70 MPH. The only catch is the transition from 4th to 5th gear....that's where you can tell the .59 ratio causes the engine RPM's to drop down more than normal when you first grab 5th gear...if that makes any sense???

 

I hate my 5th gear unless I am going like 65 or faster. Say I am in 4th and the rpm's are at 2500, when I shift they drop to about 1700! and I get a slight bog unless I give it some gas. I wish I still had the .7 ratio like my auto cause it' it not such a big change.

 

Yeah - I guess what I'm saying is this....if you're driving normally then you will notice a bigger "bog" factor between 4th and 5th gears.

But - once you get used to that, and you want to go fast, just make sure you wind out 4th a bit more than the other gears, then 5th won't bog down as much during the transition.

 

THats because your engine does not make enough power or torque down low. Your power band is shifted to high to take advantage of OD.

 

Who makes these upgraded gear sets for the T-56? How much more H.P. will they hold? Are they worth the money?

 

Whoah, lot of complaints going from 4th to 5th in the t5, i'd use 5th to go 45 mph on a road. I never had any bog or anything, smooth shift.

 

well heres another complaint. at about 50, it'll be at an uncomfortable 2700ish. shift to 5th, and it gets very low and the shifter starts shaking like a *****.

EDIT:2300-2500 actually

 

No pasky - I'm not complaining at all!! Quite the contrary....I like the highway gear. But you have to consider the trade off. A slight bog down from 4-5, which is really not significant at all if ya remember to wind 4th out a little more than you wind out 1-3.....that way you are staying in your power range - that's all!!

Sure - the stock trans was a smoother transition from 4th to 5th....but c'mon!! I could cruise at 35 MPH in 5th!! And at 70, the RPM's were way high IMO....enough to suck down extra gas and make you crank up the radio!!

(I might have not minded that so much when I was 18!!)

Besides, the .59 ratio was an OPTION with the upgade....you can still get the regular ratio if ya really want it. I didn't!!