Transmission T-56 or T5 or TKO 500

[gregk]

Hello fellow Bowtie guys,

I am fairly new to this game but I have ordered an LS 427 package from Lone Star and I am putting a 408cu.in. sbc under the hood. It came out of a vette I used to own and back then I was running a Turbo 400 tranny. I intend to put a manual tranny in my cobra but I am way out of touch in the manual transmission department. I have been reading quite a bit and it seems like the T-56 is a great tranny but it doesn't sound like it fits up well with and older (mine is a '74) block without some sort of bellhousing adapter. Am I better off going with the T-5 or a TKO 500/600 than messing with the T-56 or is the hassle worth it in the long run?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice,

Greg

[thorconstr]

Check out the gear ratios in the T56. You'll only use the 3.27 first to pull stumps, and the 2nd OD (.64) is pretty useless. The TKO 600 with a 2.87 first and .82 OD is a better bet.

[Bonos]

Greg,
I have a SBC crate motor with a TREMAC TKO 2 ,Mcleod blow proof
bellhousing,and hydraulic throw out bearing and also with a 427 shifter . All this equipment was purchased new and has less than 14 hours running time on it .
I don't like shifting gears and will be changing over to an AOD automatic in the near future.
I will be selling all of the transmission componets if you are interested send me an e-mail .

BONOS

[trularin]

The T-56 is a good trans and yes, the first gear is a bit steep.

The 6th gear OD is great! As long as you intend to drive the car on the highway. If you are road racing, the last OD may be un-used.

Personally, if I was going to drive your car on any trips, I would put the T-56 in. It was my first choice until the boss stepped in.

The Lone Star car is a good make and there is planty of room if you change your mind later on.

Just my $0.02

[ls1ac]

There are several gear sets for the t56, 1st from 2.66(viper) to 2.97(mustang). and 6th from .62(mustang) to .50(viper). Plus some other custom race gear sets.
The "bell housing" is a set of parts that bolt together to give spacing and end bolt patern. I used a chevy to a mopar to a ford race box. Had to cut and turn the shaft to fit the shorter spacing.
6th is great on the highway above 70mph but I have never found it on the track.
What is steep is the cost. Even if you do your own build it will lighten the back pocket.

[trularin]

I agree, it was like #$2800 to $3000 for the T-56 and $1200 for a T-5.

Since you are thinking cheby, you can probably get a T-56 out of camaro for one large or less.

My opinion

[Double Venom]

For those that choose the T-56, a little hint. Plan way ahead for your speedometer needs. There is NO OEM means to hook up a mechanical or standard electrtical speedometer.

The T-56 uses a built in "Hall effect sender" which is NOT compatible with many aftermarket gauges. Autometer is one company that does make an electronic speedometer that WILL hook right up. Stewart Warner also has an electronic speedometer that you can eventually get to work by setting the Dip Switches correctly. The last option is to buy a full adapter kit, installs in the tail section, which allows you to actually install a 'gear driven' cable. This will allow you to hook up almost any speedometer, mechanical or electrical. Cost is around $350.00.

Gear ratio's: Multiple areas on the web covering the T-56. Almost any gear ratio is available. Have fun...do some research, pick your gears, pick your tire sizes, add in your final drive ratios, 3.55, 4.11's what ever. It's a great time for for us car builders.

Personally I love the '56. We've been trying to destroy one for years...no sucess yet. Build it your way!
DV

[gregk]

Thanks everyone,

It sounds like I still have a little more research to do but, armed with more information, I should be able to make the appropriate decision.

Greg

[ls1ac]

There is a race t56 with the mechanical speedo output. The irony is that I had to put a taxi cab pulse unit into my cable as the LS1 computer needed the signal for a speed referance.
Sometimes you can out think yourself.