How much slop does the shifter have?
As people have stated.... is the bushing (in the shifter cup) worn out?

Reverse lockout solenoid issues simply makes it hard to put into reverse.... 2 hands needed

Skip Shift solenoid issues (stuck) makes the trans not want to go into 2nd/3rd.

You don't need a rebuild I'm guessing. It's the shifter.

IMO the B&M is kind of a POS. Get the MGW and you will be more than impressed with the shifting improvement (smoothness).

The shifter has significant play. I am thinking its the shifter because Pete ata Petes gear shop (a well respected shop in my area) and several other people say it just sounds weird and not normal. I am checking the cup bushing this weekend so I will keep you guys posted. I wanted the mega shifter or the black jack shifter anyway but couldnt find them for the right price.

just to let you know, Mark is my go to guy. :thankyou:

Thanks Vince, I have known Mark was a big t56 guy for a while. Hes very active on the forum too. Thanks for the help Vince!

Ok so I took it to the local gear shop and they drove it and looked at the car. I have been advised to rebuild the trans. I trust his word, just sucks I gotta come outta pocket.

did they give you a quote yet? If you gotta throw more money at it i'd swing for a Magnum and sell your old one. Cores are still good money.

Yeah, he said 1000 for the rebuild including steel forks. If I could get a magnum for 2500 or so I would do it but 3300 is just to rich for my blood. I don't think I really need a magnum anyway, I'm only around 400hp of that. It would be uber cool tho. Maybe a member on here has one they don't want and hasn't used?

I asked Chris what my old t56 was worth and he said 600-800. At that price it just makes sense to roll with the rebuilt t56 until I can afford to go magnum. Who knows. Maybe. I will end up selling this entire drivetrain once it's together. Then at that point I would go magnum fresh out the gate.

I'm not a transmission expert by any means but a rebuild sounds like the right path.

In a camaro I had for a year there was a pro5.0 shifter in the t56. The previous owner removed or lost the shifter bushing. There was more shifter slop than an old farm truck. It was tough to find the shift gates but gear disengagement was always smooth.

Since your issue is more intermittent I'd expect to find something odd with a shift fork or metal floating around/damaged teeth causing your issues.

Let us know what the problem turns out to be

According to the trans guy the reverse sylinoud was deleted, the snap ring that holds the reverse fork on the shaft was damaged badly and the first and second slider was beat pretty badly. Also it had all stock syncros. I know I misspelled those two words, sue me, you guys know what I mean. I have it back now from the rebuild, the case was painted it drives way smoother now. Had a good day of driving, now for the tune.