TR6060 vs. T56 Magnum

[broken1234]

Buying a tranny for a street driven 2nd gen Camaro (LS with twin turbos)with around 750 rwhp.... don't plan much track (drag and autocross) usage, but it will get a little. I assumed I would end up with a T56 of some variety but a couple of suppliers are trying to sell me a TR6060. Everybody that I talk to has a different opinion about why I need one of the other. I'm leaning toward a beefed up T56 Magnum just because it seems that most folks go that way with no issues... what's the collective wisdom of the group here??

[wiedemab]

The T56 Magnum is essential a particular configuration of the TR6060 -- soooooooo......

[Sieg]

6060 is rated to 600 ft. lbs. vs. the T56 Mag's 700 ft. lbs. Being that the 6060 is OEM spec they have most likely cut some cost corners to meet OEM contract demands.

Upside to OEM is parts availability may be better. The T56 Mag parts availability is suspect from my experience. The vent line I needed was in Mexico and no where else.

Gear ratio's could be a deciding factor. I didn't see ratio specs on Tremec's website. I'm sold on close ratio compact spacing vs. wide ratio low 1st and tall 6th. The wide ratio doesn't make sense, if you're running a tall rear gear that needs a low 1st, you don't need a tall 6th. If you're running a low rear gear that needs a tall 6th then you have a worthless 1st gear. :_paranoid

[T_Raven]

The Magnum is the aftermarket version of the TR6060. As for gearing, as far as I know the only factory TR6060 with the closer gearing is in the non Z51 Vettes. Camaros, CTS-Vs, etc all have the wider gearing and are not set up for a normal drive shaft. I don't know about Ford and Dodge applications though.

You can essentially take a Vette TR6060, swap the input shaft, mid plate, main shaft, and tail housing to Magnum parts and have a Magnum.

If someone is trying to sell you a TR6060 and claiming it's not a Magnum what application is it for? With the bell housing and input shaft on a Camaro or CTS-V TR6060, they will bolt up to any LS engine but you have to use the LS3 style clutch. With a Magnum you can use any t56 bell housing and clutch.

[gnx7]

The Magnum is a waaaay better transmission than the older '93-02 style Fbody T56. Shifts better due to triple synchros, wider faces on the gears made of stronger metal, all the bearings are bigger for higher load capacity, 31 spline output shaft, provision to tap an oil cooler/sprayer, the case weighs more for increased rigidity.

I sold a fully built old style T56 in my RX-7 swap to put in a new Magnum. Such a better transmission especially the shifting. Plus the .80 5th gear ratio keeps you more in the your powerband.

[Reactor]

Check out Rockland Standard Gear. You can get a new magnum T56 with the ZR1 corvette close ratio gear set. It has a 2.29 first gear and works great with a 4.10 rear. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for. Reactor

[broken1234]

Anybody have any experience with RPM Transmissions in Indiana or Bowler in Illinois? I think I have it nailed down to one of these two...

[Ron in SoCal]

Rodney/Jeremy @ RPM are great guys and I know many that have had nothing but great transactions with them. They're racers too.

People love Mark Bowler and he's a big supporter of our hobby. My only experience with him was a messed up special order part on their side. By the time I discovered it, it was too late to return so I had to eat it. No 'sorry Ron', nothing.

Tough choice...

[broken1234]

well, I have decided that I want a beefed up tranny, and these two outfits are the final two. I like what I hear about the 6060, but here's my silly hang-up. If the 6060 is the way to go, then why don't I read about more 6060 usage on here?

[takid455]

most refer to it as T56 vs particular series of T56. I run T56's that are built up from stock and there no going back. The 6060 is a great unit. It weighs a little more than an earlier T56 as the internals are heavier (read stronger) Unless you opt for 9310 gear sets which unless you have deep 4 figure power numbers, its is doubtful that you will break it. The triple snycros may shifting smoother than the T56. Some T56's had triple CF snycros too like later Z06's and C5R vettes.

[71RS/SS396]

I have a Rockland Tranzilla with the ZR1 gearing and can say the trans shifts like no other T56 I have driven and so far has had no problems taking the beating of road racing it. My experience so far has been trying to find a clutch that's streetable that will live any length of time is a bigger problem.

[INTMD8]

As far as I know a 6060 and a Magnum are the same trans. (as in, I thought all Magnum's were 6060's and not T56's).

Now a 6060/Magnum over a T56? There are many internal upgrades the most important of which that pertains to you is stronger gear sets.

I've found it's easy to strip the teeth off of the input shaft and countershaft of the old T56 with over 800ft/lbs of torque.

RPM is an excellent choice for the 6060. They built the one in my twin turbo 07 Z06 and it always worked perfectly.

[Stovebolter]

Don't mean to highjack your thread but I thought my thoughts and questions might help someone make a decision.

Great thread. You've all helped me make the decision for a T56 Mag in the Corvette config. With 275/40s looks like the 2.66/.50 may be better suited for 4.10 and the 2.29/.67 better suited for 3.73 for the street. Both will place my cruise RPMs at 2200 at 55MPH in 5th and 2000-2200 at freeway speed which sounds great. But what about track? I have no track experience but hope to soon. The car will have 396 but I'm now leaning toward a built LS primarily for weight reduction. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

David