t-56 6 speed into cobra

48 IDA · #1 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 05:20 PM

I see that some cobra owners have 6 speed transmissions installed in their cars. What is needed for this conversion? I have a 6 speed from a 2004 cobra mustang, and would like to install behind a 351-C with lakewood blow sheild. I would like to keep the blow shield.

thanks
Don

rsimoes · #2 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 06:33 PM

Call lakewood, they'll be glad to help you. . .

http://www.mrgasket.com/lakewoodmain.html

Back in Black · #3 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 08:11 PM

But from what I have heard that tranny cannot take 500 horsepower...by that I mean it won't last long...

Aussie Mike · #4 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 08:30 PM

Hi BnB,

I think most gearboxes are rated by torque rather than HP. Most of the standard T56 boxes are rated at 450ft/lb and there is a heavy duty version rated at 550ft/lb. To give you an indication of how this fits with other boxes on the market the Tremec TR3550 is rated at 375ft/lb, the TKO is rated at 425ft/lb and the TKOII is rated at 475ft/lb.

Going by the motors people have been puting in front of the Tremec 5 speeds (TR3550,TKO and TKOII) at 450ft/lb rated I don't think the T56 is going to have any trouble with whatever you throw at it.

Remember the T56 is the box Dodge chose for the V10 in the Viper and they aren't short on either torque or HP.

Is there any torque rating info available on the Richmond box you are running?

Cheers

coyled · #5 (**permalink**) 08-15-2003, 09:35 AM

I have spoken with several people on both the tko and t56 6 speed and have some first hand experience. Both trannies seem to last pretty well on the strett or drag strip under hard forward acceleration. The problems start on the road course when you ask these tranny's to down shift at speed. On a down shift, you are loading the back side of the gears. Just like an engine, if the tranny fly's apart, it is usually on deceleration. Also, both trannies sometimes snap off the 3 little detents in the syncro assembly which makes it tough to shift at all. Bottom line, both are good all around and will take the abuse and hp as long as they are not driven really hard on a road course in high hp applications. scott.

MotoCobra · #6 (**permalink**) 08-15-2003, 11:54 PM

At Archer Racing they've abused more T56s than anyone-else on the planet! If there's a question regarding which version (Yes, Virginia, there are different types of T56s) they'll know the answer.

As for mating up to a Ford push-rod-type (A joke...as in a "Real Motor"...) motor...didn't McLeod (Spelling?) just come out with a modular bell-housing system?

6 gears in one of these cars? Sounds like a good thing to me!

Best of luck with your project.

Manny

Go to www.archerracing.com