5sp or 6sp options for a chevy 350

[betzjr66]

I want to swap a 5 or 6speed trans into my cobra replica that I am in the process of building. What are my options as far as transmissions. I have seen TKO 500, 600 and T-56 swaps, I just am wondering if there is a cheaper alternative. I see cobra's running T-5 transmissions all day on this web site and I am running a World Class T-5 in my 500 plus horsepower Mustang at 3400 lbs. Could a WC T-5 from a Camaro be a viable alternative?

[fsstnotch]

Cheaper alternative... There is a T56 for sale on racing junk for a chevy. Complete with clutch and bellhousing out of a 10,000 mile 2005 corvette for $1000. I don't think there is much beating that price. I can get you a link if interested.

Josh

[Aussie Mike]

T56 is plenty strong with good aftermarket support for clutches and shifters etc. The only disadvantage in a cobra is it's length. You may have trouble fitting it in depending on your chassis cross members etc. It also has the shifter a long way back so you are either going to have to use a lean forward style shifter or do a shift conversion on the box.

The bellhousing isn't going to be too much of a problem. The pattern is the same between the Gen 2 and Gen 3 chevs except the Gen 3 has an extra bolt at the top in the center and one of the ones on the side has been deleted.

Cheers

[Rwillia4]

The shifter is in the EXACT same place as the T-5. The tranny is bigger (wider in the tail end). I'm pushing over 600 Hp and haven't had a problem.

[vettestr]

The 011 is the GM conversion Tremec 6 speed. I say conversion because it is configured with a mechanical speed drive not electronic and has the front plate allowing a standard scatter shield or GM bell housing
(but be aware of a 15 degree twist or rotation if not the proper plate). but you can re drill without a big problem. It has 2 shifter mount locations built into case and the up shift feature is deleted as in the electronic GM car versions.

[SPF2245]

Well, my previous daily beater was a 2001 Trans-am, and I would have to say the LS1 w/ T56 and aftermarket 4.11's was the best tranny, engine, gear combo I've ever had the pleasure of owning. Just the right amount of gear for off the line and highway cruising. Now having said that, it's not a cheap combo until you look at some of the Crapmaro or T/A graveyards for an engine/tranny combo. I used to see these sell for a couple grand and your set and have a winning package that any GM dealer can troubleshoot or you can work it yourself.

[vettestr]

Back to ya 2245,
I agree the donor route is a possible and best if using an engine with all the ECM or computer management needed. An important point to those not needing all the ECM support is a donor 5 or 6 speed will now need to be modified at a fairly high level (for use with a carb'd or aftermarket injection engine).
Factory tranny will have an annoying up shift feature, electronic speedo, possible input spline count dictating clutch assem. The clutch assem. means no aftermarket scatter shield or easy interchange and limits to the use of internal Hyd. throw out brg. We use an external Hyd. slave that makes many things a bunch better IMHO. You will need a reverse lockout electrical supply or sw on either but no biggie. A shortened drive shaft and rear tranny X member will need to be fab'd again no big deal for our chassis. I question ease in many other applications that were made for the TINY 4 speeds by comparison. A bit tongue in cheek but its girth and length was close in our car and we are 8' longer and 5" wider than the original Cobra.
The GM aftermarket Tremec or the 011 is a builders dream with all the above addressed for easy install. I put the 6 speed in my own driver even though I was not sure I needed 2 overdrives. The 011 does have modified ratios as well and is PERFECT for use with like 3:55 to 4:11 gears. Unless at highway cruise speed I do not use 6th but when needed it drops RPM down to like 2k at speed.