School me on the f-body t-56

[Bob Kazamakis]

How strong are they?
Where can I get upgraded internals for them?
What's the weakpoint? Input shaft?
Are all f-body versions the same? Gearing, strength etc?

Click to read more...

 

[Bones]

How strong are they?
Where can I get upgraded internals for them?
What's the weakpoint? Input shaft?
Are all f-body versions the same? Gearing, strength etc?

What are we talking LT1s or LS1s? I've messed with both. I can tell you FLT is the place to get work done to your T-56 if your around the Chicagoland area, regardless LT1/LS1. Chuck does some incredible work and takes the time to show you what he upgraded and what if anything was bad to your trans. I had my T-56 4th, 5th and 6th gear shit out on me all at once at 70,000 miles. He showed me how bad the gears were chewed up (not my fault dum bass I bought the car from).

Stock T-56s are pretty weak once you start modding your car. The fork pads aren't too strong, we all know 1-4 gears get abused at the track and I also see a lot of solenoids going out on these trans.

If you get work done and get one built right, the thing is a monster. One last thing I'll add is that the T-56 is like a Swiss watch. Although simple in form, there's quite a bit of shit going on partially the reason it's such an affective trans.

If you want to learn more about pulling one out here ya go.... I even wrote the last article in the thread when I did mine. Shows the tools and all.

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/manual-transmission/779117-clutch-swap-trans-removal-sticky.html

Mine...
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/manual-transmission/779117-clutch-swap-trans-removal-sticky-3.html

Here's some more info on the trans. Some people bitch about sticking clutches and doing the drill mod or getting a tick performance master cylinder. I just bought a new GM stock master cylinder and slave and my car has been fine since.
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/manual-transmission/1095769-manual-transmission-stickied-threads.html

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

This is for a project. I don't own an fbody

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

The idea was to put this in a muscle car. A tko-600 is $2200 and I'd still need clutch, bellhousing etc. I was trying to figure out if the t-56 was a viable option.

Are there hp/torque numbers it's rated at?

 

[Bones]

no idea about that man, sorry. All I can tell ya is that my shit broke at around 320 horse but then again it had 70K on the clock. Some are better than others.

 

[Runtz52]

no idea about that man, sorry. All I can tell ya is that my shit broke at around 320 horse but then again it had 70K on the clock. Some are better than others.

i think hes lookin more towards cost, y not talk to eagle rufus, he was beatin the hell outta his and he was puttin down close to 700 whp

 

[Edmond]

I've read too many stories about T-56's being shit. Bad syncros, cheap fork pads and shift forks.

I'm dropping mine and putting an RPM IV in there later this month. I'm just going to change the bitch so I will have something that lasts.

 

[Sinister Drag Designs]

delete

 

[Eagle]

Weird. I've ran over 400WHP for two years... my T-56 is flawless. But I honestly don't drive it "hard".... no power shifting it at all.

 

[skeezer]

Bad luck to make statements like that.

 

[TransHed]

Weird. I've ran over 400WHP for two years... my T-56 is flawless. But I honestly don't drive it "hard".... no power shifting it at all.

What could possibly go wrong with powershifting lol

 

[tspence45]

What could possibly go wrong with powershifting lol

You can take 2nd gear out pretty easily powershifting. lol. I found that out on my bolt-on ~300whp LT1. But, I also had a UMI suspension setup, 335 drag radials, and a Spec Stage 3 clutch. It did nothing but catch traction. I was just surprised the tranny went before the rear did.

 

[TransHed]

You can take 2nd gear out pretty easily powershifting. lol. I found that out on my bolt-on ~300whp LT1. But, I also had a UMI suspension setup, 335 drag radials, and a Spec Stage 3 clutch. It did nothing but catch traction. I was just surprised the tranny went before the rear did.

You know I was being sarcastic right? lol

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Weird. I've ran over 400WHP for two years... my T-56 is flawless. But I honestly don't drive it "hard".... no power shifting it at all.

Hmmm. Well the car in question is a decent amount heavier than yours (3900lbs) and torque numbers should be around the 450 ft-lb range.

Good to know yours has held up. I had thought yours was completely stock sans clutch.

 

[Eagle]

HA! I've been putting down 450WTQ for a long time. Trans is doing fine (knocks on wood)...

Mine is completely stock less the clutch and slave.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

How much does your car weigh? I'm not sure what I want this car to be yet? Either 1/4 mile beast/street car or G-machine/street car. Either way it'll see street use and I figure the t-56 would help with mpg cause it's quite rough with the 3 speed

 

[Eagle]

My car has been full weight from day one. With me in it, ~3750 full tank.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Damn. That makes this more promising. Now I just have to figure out how much this will cost. I'll need alot of stuff.
Used trans
either an adapter bell housing or stock with an adapter plate
clutch
flywheel
custom pilot bearing
clutch linkage
pedals

also have to figure out if I wanna go hydro or cable clutch

 

[Eagle]

Get a T-56 out of a newer GTO if possible. Forks are steel.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Ball park on prices? After pricing out the other parts it's sounding like a tko setup will be about the same.

 

[Eagle]

no idea.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Quick search on eBay shows gto trans is about $1500. Rebuilt t56 is around $1200. Couldn't find any used ones

 

[Bones]

Quick search on eBay shows gto trans is about $1500. Rebuilt t56 is around $1200. Couldn't find any used ones

I bet that's a stock rebuilt price tho. Your going to spend at least 2k to around 2,200 for a performance/racing built T-56. And even if it is called a performance build, guarantee you the majority of that rebuild is using stock parts.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Yea I assume stock rebuild. It seems the tko can't take much more abuse than the t56. All I want is 5 or 6 gears....

 

[modern-muscle]

we have had the t56 hold on a very good amount of power! When you start getting around 500-550rwtq you might want to start watching a little closer. Its all in how you drive it, if you drive it hard then its not gana last as long. But on the other hand of the spectrum we have seen them go out completely stock, but like I said its all how you drive it. If you clutch starts goin bad and you are forcen the gear you are gana have problems sooner.

We deal with RPM, when you are ready let me know we will help you out with the shipping to and from, we deal with RPM directly. They are by far the best we have dealt with thus far, and there prices are reasonable!