I am wondering how easy it is to get reverse instead of 5th gear on a T56 in driving conditions. The reason why I ask is, I'm wondering if I should just cap off the reverse lockout hole and ditch the mechanism completely. I'm thinking of doing the same thing with the CAGS which is not used in this application either.

 

Not to be a twit, but...

How easy is brain surgery?


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I guess that depends on whether you're a brain surgeon, eh??

Personally, I don't have the slightest problem with it. But that's just me. I'm sure you'll hear the exact opposite from others.

One of the holes you can buy an oil drain plug available in the Dorman line of those that hang on cards, that fits right in there. The other, you can get a freeze plug of some standard size, 30mm if memory serves but it may well not, does a great job.

Guess how I know these things...

 

I knew it might come off as a stupid question. I just saw that Twin Turbo did it and I was like well that really cleans up the trans if I do it. I figured that others probably did the same thing. I kept it in there because I was told that it was insanely common and easy to get reverse instead of 5th. But when I look at how far over reverse actually is I'm wondering what the hell is wrong with taking it out. I guess some people rely on the lockout to get 5th as opposed to actually paying attention to what they are doing. Its easy enough to just cap it off I know that. lol.

 

I just addressed this issue last weekend on my T56.

I removed the lockout solenoid and put the trans through the gears and I felt it was easy to accidentally get into reverse if you were shifting in a hurry. I could certainly tell the difference, but if my wife, dad, or buddies ever want or need to drive the car, I'm concerned that it is easy enough that they could goof it up.

The solenoid is spring loaded, so that even if the solenoid fails you can still access reverse, you just have to push REALLY hard on the stick to get over into the reverse gate. What lots of guys do is take the solenoid apart and modify or replace the spring. I cut and re-shimmed my spring until I felt there was just the right amount of force to keep you out of the reverse gate on a hurried shift, but that you could with only modest effot move the shifter over and get into reverse. It is the happy medium that I felt was safe for the trans, but was easy for the user.

If you're not going to wire the reverse lockout solenoid to the brake pedal, I feel this is the best way to handle the situation. The last thing I wanted was my T56 to get munched because a well meaning friend stuffed it in reverse instead of 5th.

 

Well I have the solenoid out of the trans now. Maybe I should see about doing the spring mod. Its out so I can get at the torque arm mount top bolt easier. Anyway, yea I might eventually memorize the pattern and know what I need to do. But even so, I can just see my brother or someone else screwing up. I'll take a look at the Solenoid, see if I can get the spring out, and start playing with it. I'm thinking cut a lil at a time til it feels right. I went down the other night, and went through the gears. Mentally keeping track of revs as I went. Even knowing where reverse is, I think I missed 5th at least twice on the 4-5 upshift. Got reverse instead. That got me thinking that maybe I should keep it in there at least til I got used to the 6 speed pattern. Reverse in the T56, feels the same as 5th in my daily driver. So personally I can just see myself screwing it up.

 

I just have the solenoid uplugged, its not hard to push past it and get it into reverse, and you never have to worry about hitting R instead of 5th. Another option is wire it to a switch, leave it open when driving and switch is to closed when your gonna be driving the car hard. Thats really more effort than it's worth though

 

yes going into reverse is almost exactly like putting a T5 in 5th gear isn't it! Anyway, start by cutting 1.5 or 2 coils off the solenoid and try that. I cut just over 3 and it was too much so I shimmed it back out.

 

I tried 1 coil for now. Much better than before still have to muscle it, but I can do it without bracing myself and with one arm too. It probably still needs a half a coil or so off at least, before its comfy. But now that I know how it works to take it apart, its really not bad at all. IMO easier than hack wiring it. I'll keep in mind that 3 coils is too far.

Update: Went to 1.5 coils cut. Easier, asked bro for his opinion, he said wasn't bad either. So I'll leave it at that til I get fluid in it, when I get fluid in it and drive it, I'll decide whether it needs more. It needs a lil muscle but nowhere near as bad as it was with the uncut spring. If I need to cut more, its easy enough to pop it out and trim til it feels good.

 

Very cool solution. I also think reverse is to easy to find, especially full throttle 4-5 shifts.

I took the more expensive route and installed the Samoco box that unlocks reverse when moving less that 5mph. Had I thought about trimming the spring, I might have tried that first. Either way is clean in my book though.

http://www.samocoind.com/T56Module.html

 

Anyone wire up one of these? Couldn't find any doc on their site for the install.

 

I installed one. Easy install, works great. Instructions come in the box. But here is what I got from them before I ordered.

Hello John,

Yes, works with either Ford or GM existing 2 wire VSS sensors. There are only a maximum of 6 wires total that you splice in your existing vehicle harness connections and the install is very quick from our feedback – like 30 to 45 minutes. Unfortunately, I don’t have anything electronic that I am able to send you, but each one comes with a paper instruction set in the package. If you have existing vehicle wire harness for your vehicle at the VSS sensor, you only will need to connect 5 wires since one would be redundant (all of this is in the instructions).

2 wires for power/ground

2 wires to the VSS Speed Sensor – One is signal; the other is reference

2 wires to the Solenoid – positive / negative

We sell both the solenoid connector w/ 12” pigtail on our site and the VSS Speed Sensor connector w/ 12” pigtail (GM Style Only)…see attached pic for GM connector photo.

We’re out of the Ford VSS Style Speed Connectors right now. If you have to have it, you can get it at the stealership for $35 or so. Or you can just solder wires onto the terminals and silicone the end of the sensor and be done with it.

So, anyway, if you are mechanically inclined, I think this should be a walk in your sleep for you!

Have a great day!

Nate


Nate Garland
Email: sales@samocoind.com
Website: www.samocoind.com

 

Thanks! I assume the module is tucked somewhere underneath the dash. Did you splice into the wires near the trans?

 

Huh, I always realized it was reverse when you hear and feel a grind. You've really got to be over muscling a shift to get it into reverse while moving. I vote remove it. Your girlfriend and your mom are not going to be power shifting and really how often do you power shift to 5th?

 

Yup I have it up under the passenger side dash. Run 2 wires for the VSS and 2 wires for the solenoid down through the body plug just in front of the shifter. Remaining two wires are switched power and ground.

 

I shift into 5th under duress all the time when I drive my Camaro.

Even if you don't, I don't see the point in removing a safety and convenience feature? Would you remove air bags from a car just b/c you don't need them 99.9999% of the time?

It seems very common on this forum for people to aimlessly remove features b/c they are not understood or shear laziness: A/C, EVAP, CCC, Cat, EGR, ect...