T-56 or TKO600 for high Torque engine

[Rwillia4]

I need help in deciding which way to go, T-56 or TKO600. It is for a BDR with a KC 427W (580HP/550#T).
The basic T-56 (M7003H) is rated for 450#T. Are the rated numbers correct with a large safety margin? Will I break it with this power input? With a 2500lb car will it load the trans that much?
I have read that the bellhousing that it comes with from ford is the correct housing for a Windsor, can anyone verify this. The safe route would be going with the TKO600. I have read good and bad. The two reasons I am not exicted to go with a TKO with references to the shifing as "chunky" and "truck style". The other reason is 6 speeds has a sexy appeal to it.

Suggestions? Thoughts? Opinions?

[DC COBRA]

ROB

I believe if they hadn't changed the BDR body yet since here recently the T56 wouldn't fit without major reconstruction. The torque ratings on these trannys wouldn't be too concerned, these cars don't really "hook" good enough to shell trannys unless repeatedly drag racing with slicks.

DON

[Jimi G]

The TKO will take alot more abuse than the T56 will, if you were to ever hook up, you might break it. As for the shifting, there are some great aftermarket shift tops by Steeda that really improve on the shifting of the TKO600. And with the 5th gear options in the TKO600 you can fine tune it to your engine and rear gear set up. jimig@standardtransmission.com

[Rwillia4]

Thanks for the input

I talked to Reg at BDR and the T-56 will fit (and he has one in his car).

I realize the TKO600 will take more abuse. However my intension is to use the car as a street machine with the occasional trip to a road track but not real heavy abuse. And I think I'm just inside of the limit of the T-56 ...provided I don't put slicks on.

The 2 overdirve gears is more atractive to me (this way I don't have to decide which final drivegear to go with and I can shift as needed ).

The rear ratios available are 3.15 -3.25. I am leaning toward the 3.25 as I don't need a crazy top speed.

[Jimi G]

The slicks would be what broke the camels back, so I would agree with you to stay away from them. As long as it will fit, you will love the benefit of the T56, especially on long cruises. The nice thing about the Cobra's being so light, it makes the torque rating alittle deceiving since the T56 was designed for cars that weight 1000 lbs. more. jimig@standardtransmission.com

[edmonds007]

I have a TKO on my SPF and while I haven't driven the T56 I can acknowledge that the TKO is a little "mechanical" feeling at first if not a little clunky. You can literally feel and hear the gears engage in 1st or especially reverse. At the same time, once you get used to it you'll probably like the fact that it is bulletproof. I havent' hit the drag strip yet but I do like to run it hard on a regular basis so the strength of the TKO was well worth it to me.

Good luck with your decision.

[RMHINC]

Rob I'm building a BDR now, car #435.Performance engineering is building the motor,351W @420 HP.I went with the TKO 600.It has a tight shift feel and it's bulitproof.

[JayBar]

Not so fast. I have an early BDR #78. I ran a T-5 (from a 6 cylinder mustang) behind a 326 hp (dyno's rear wheel) for a track car and 5 trips to the drags. When my engine went south and I replaced it with a 408 (418 rear wheel hp) I elected to use the tko 600, with the .68 fifth gear. All was well till I ran longer tracks. When you red line 4th and go to 5th the engine bogs. It is not worth the shift for only a few seconds. If I had it to do over again and my BDR was a later model I would most definatly go with the T-56.

This is a great transmission. I have one in my 03 Mustang Cobra (dyno'ed at 448 rear wheel) and it works great. This car is 1,000 lb's heaver than the BDR and no problem.
It gives you the advantage of a tko 600 with a .78 overdrive and one extra gear for crusing.

If you must go with a tko get one with th lower 5 gear. While you may intend to cruse on the highway, after the first year you won't and will be sorry you went with the crusing gears.
So the best compermise is the T56 the best of all worlds.

[Rwillia4]

Jay,

I agree with what you are saying. And my only worry is the "stock" T-56 won't hold up. Strength is the only advantage of the TKO. (IMHO)

D&D makes a T-56 that is converted from a Viper T-56 and can handle 650#T, but cost is $3k (or $1k more then the stock). It is reworked with better cones, keys, shafts, syncros, and a 26 spline. Comes from Chrysler not Tremec (some legal thing with who owns the tooling).

Hopefully the stock T-56 will survive or a least long enough so I can recover from the initial $$$, without any fixing or replacing

Rob

[JayBar]

Remember my example of my 03Mustang cobra, that is 448 RWHP and 460 torque, (real numbers), car weights almost 4,000 lb's. I have had it to the track (road race and drags) 5 times and the trans. performed flawlessly. An aftermarket shifter is helpful my group seems to prefer the MGW shifter; I think it is worth the investment.

There are drag racers in my Mustang club running 615 HP who use there cars as daily drivers and drag strip cars, and guess what they use the stock T56.
You have to be realalistic, the huge HP numbers advertised by the engine builders are achieved on the engine builder’s dyno, using his headers and maybe with out accessories, then there’s the loss through the drive train. I would bet that once installed in your BDR with BDR headers and the drive train loss, you would see numbers in the 450-475hp ranges. Then remember you have a 2,500 lb car. The t-56 is more that adequate for the job.
You did not mention what size tires you are running. I say this only because if you are running 15-inch tires you will surely break loose before any damage occurs to the transmission, even using a t-5.

PS I started with a 3:15 rear but changed to a 3:73, a good compromise and I still have a useful first gear.
If you want to see the t-56 in action in my Mustang check out

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...q=dave+and+jay

[Rwillia4]

Great video!!

I just orderd T-56 from AMP. If anyone else needs a transmission I highly suggest these guys, not pushy and easy to talk to. Calling Tom (602 437 2727) is better then the price on-line. Cost $2000 (with better warrenty then ford) and he is willing to swap it if I don't like it. http://www.ampperformance.com/

[Cobrabill]

The TKO is superior to the T-56 in every measurable way.

[Fordfan69]

You only need to read my post above to know my opinion and experience with the TKO600.

Good luck whichever way you go.

[Cobra-Radjah]

Enjoyed the video Jay, well done... What camera support did you use???