does anyone have the statistics on the t56? I am curious what the gears are (it has a better 1st gear than the 700r4 right?) and how much hp/tq it can handle. I heard also that it had two overdrives is this true, if so what is the point in that?

 

Ratios and such:

trans............1st....2nd.....3rd.....4th....5th.....6th.....R.....TQ rating

'93 M28........3.36...2.07...1.35...1.00...0.80...0.62...3.28.....350ftlb
'93 M29........2.97...2.07...1.43...1.00...0.80...0.62...3.28.....400ftlb
'94-'97 MN6...2.66...1.78...1.30...1.00...0.74...0.50...3.28.....450ftlb
700-R4.........3.06...1.63...1.00...0.70......................???......????

The "double overdrive" means 6th gear is an extremely high gearing. This means low highway RPMs even with a very deep rearend. I run 3.70s in the back and turn about 1800 at 80mph on the MN6 tranny. This in turn is a big gas mileage boost if you spend any time on the highway.

 

so, I guess mn6 is the other name for the t56? either way, is it possible to change the first and/or second gear(s) to make them lower for better accel? I know it would make some difference, but I amnot totally sure it is really worth it, or if the difference is significant. I am used to the lower first of the 700r4. The lower gear means a better start off the line right?

 

With something like 3.73's, first gear goes by really fast, and sixth is perfect on the highway. I wouldn't want to lower first any more than it already is. You'd be shifting before you got the clutch out all the way.

 

I am looking at getting 3.42 gears (someone told me it is actually 3.43 but I still haven't been cleared up on the subject) in the rear, but I am still debating about going to 3.73. is the gear still pretty low for 3.42? Also, is it a good idea to go with 3.73 rear gears over 3.42, or maybe something higher; I may be doing a lot of highway driving though.

 

The M28, M29, and MN6 are all T56 trannys. They're just named differently because of the different gear ratios (like the M20, M21, and M22 are all Muncie 4-speeds.)

With the MN6 tranny, you can run a 4.10 rear and still be fine on the highway. I turn about 1800 at 80MPH with 3.70s. 3.42 was stock for the 4th gen T56 cars, and IMHO it's not enough gear for the tranny. I highly recommend the 3.7x range.

 

Unless you have a set of 3.42s lying around, I'd stick with 3:73s. That is if you can stand a small amount of gear wine. If you see plenty of track use and wouldn't mind the extra gear wine, 4:10s would be perfect.