Best manual transmission for roughly 500hp and torque as a somewhat daily driver
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 22
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Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Best manual transmission for roughly 500hp and torque as a somewhat daily driver
Currently building a monster 383 to drop in my 87 trans am, which currently has a built 700r4. I would like to switch to a manual transmission that is NOT a T5. I don’t care if some fab work needs done to make it bolt up, as long as it fits without doing any crazy like making the trans tunnel bigger.
Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 349
From: CT
Car: 82 TA
Engine: Zz430 clone w a torquestorm blower
Transmission: Magnum f
Axle/Gears: Ford 9 w 4.11
Re: Best manual transmission for roughly 500hp and torque as a somewhat daily driver
Magnum f t56. I have a 450hp sbc and beat the hell of it. I'm almost done w the blower going on and should be at 550-600. The trans is good to about 700. Pretty easy install but not a cheap project. I have the close ratio w 4.11 9 inch. It's awesome.
A TKX swap is a little less.
A TKX swap is a little less.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 786
Likes: 198
From: SW Missouri
Car: 1989 Trans Am
Engine: sp357
Transmission: TKX
Re: Best manual transmission for roughly 500hp and torque as a somewhat daily driver
What is your budget?
A TKX for ~$3k will probably be the cheapest.
A TKX for ~$3k will probably be the cheapest.
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,530
Likes: 94
From: Aridzona
Car: `86 SS / `87 SS
Engine: L69 w/ TPI on top / 305 4bbl
Transmission: `95 T56 \ `88 200-4R
Re: Best manual transmission for roughly 500hp and torque as a somewhat daily driver
Your stock rear gears won't match well. Start by changing those.
Magnum T56. Just skip the F version and get a torque arm mount crossmember. Shorter driveshaft is better. Shifter position is more ideal for the third gen too. You will need a spacer or LS T56 to SBC adapter bell.
Magnum T56. Just skip the F version and get a torque arm mount crossmember. Shorter driveshaft is better. Shifter position is more ideal for the third gen too. You will need a spacer or LS T56 to SBC adapter bell.
Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 349
From: CT
Car: 82 TA
Engine: Zz430 clone w a torquestorm blower
Transmission: Magnum f
Axle/Gears: Ford 9 w 4.11
Re: Best manual transmission for roughly 500hp and torque as a somewhat daily driver
My magnum f shifter was with in 1 inch of the t5 shifter. It can't get any better than that. The f w the quick LS adaptor bell it's perfect.
Last edited by Firechicken82; Mar 3, 2025 at 10:41 PM.
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 254
Likes: 28
From: Dallas, Texas
Car: 92 RS
Engine: LS1
Transmission: TKX
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Best manual transmission for roughly 500hp and torque as a somewhat daily driver
Currently building a monster 383 to drop in my 87 trans am, which currently has a built 700r4. I would like to switch to a manual transmission that is NOT a T5. I don’t care if some fab work needs done to make it bolt up, as long as it fits without doing any crazy like making the trans tunnel bigger.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 8,494
Likes: 413
From: Sophia, NC
Car: 2016 Camaro SS + 1986 Z28
Re: Best manual transmission for roughly 500hp and torque as a somewhat daily driver
I took a hard look at the TKX. Put a TKO 600 in my 89. ....at the end of the day though, for a little more money, hard NOT to have a 6th gear.
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,775
Likes: 567
From: Cincinnati, OH
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Re: Best manual transmission for roughly 500hp and torque as a somewhat daily driver
Your stock rear gears won't match well. Start by changing those.
Magnum T56. Just skip the F version and get a torque arm mount crossmember. Shorter driveshaft is better. Shifter position is more ideal for the third gen too. You will need a spacer or LS T56 to SBC adapter bell.
Magnum T56. Just skip the F version and get a torque arm mount crossmember. Shorter driveshaft is better. Shifter position is more ideal for the third gen too. You will need a spacer or LS T56 to SBC adapter bell.
Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 349
From: CT
Car: 82 TA
Engine: Zz430 clone w a torquestorm blower
Transmission: Magnum f
Axle/Gears: Ford 9 w 4.11
Re: Best manual transmission for roughly 500hp and torque as a somewhat daily driver
I agree with this but be prepared to have your shifter more forward thus requiring you to modify your console panels. I could not reuse the ash tray and had to make custom ABS panels for the top portion. F version combined with the relocation xmember is the best IMHO. You will need a slightly shorter driveshaft. I had to cut 2" out of my LS1 shaft and have it rebalanced.
Um, magnum f doesn't have these issues
the upper photo is 1st. The second is neutral.
no issues w contact w the center console, no issues w anything. Obviously the hole in the floor needed 1.5 inches trimmed back to fit the larger shift tower. I even used the stock t5 rubber boot.
I don't really get why anyone spend money on a transmission that requires more work and cutting the console. The magnum f is literally designed to bolt in and it does. It's the same price as the other magnums. They all need a new driveshaft.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 63
Likes: 3
From: CANADA
Car: 85 IROC
Engine: 5.7
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 4.11 torsen, 4th gen rear
Re: Best manual transmission for roughly 500hp and torque as a somewhat daily driver
i got a T56 from a 94 Z28 in mine, using a B&M shifter it fits at the stock location in the console. also uses stock clutch actuation/cyls. I'm using the stock T5 alum driveshaft
Last edited by RoadRace; Mar 10, 2025 at 09:49 AM.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,775
Likes: 567
From: Cincinnati, OH
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
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Re: Best manual transmission for roughly 500hp and torque as a somewhat daily driver
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