T56 Magnum should I buy and where?
 

I keep doing more research and every trail seems to end with a close ratio T56 Magnum.

My car will have close to 700hp and over 600 ft lbs of torque I know that.
6200 rpm is the target for max hp.
My car will see some street miles including highway driving.
My car will be track oriented, I will drive it at both open track days and hopefully RTTC and other similar events.

Is there any other viable choice for a transmission?

Anyone have a preference on vendors. I was thinking of purchasing it thru LIberty. any reason to go elsewhere?

Subscribed just to listen in. It seems everyone lists the trans at $2895 which I am sure is a Tremec MSRP rule. I am hoping to order very soon myself but I have a full auto to manual convesrion in front of me.

Well don't feel bad. My car may have been a 4 speed but other than the pedals that doesn't mean much. Bellhousing, driveshaft, clutch, crossmember are all different. With my new chassis I will likely be going to a hydraulic clutch set up to replace my z bar. Like I said I get to keep my left pedal from the 4 speed that's about it.

Yep you're on it. Unless you want or can tolerate a dog box, you're lookin at a T56 Magnum. Sounds like the right fit for your needs.

I'm already looking forward to seeing your Torino at RTTC4.

not only does tremec set the price, i couldnt get ANY dealer to budge. after some searching i found a 10% off coupon for summit and ordered from them. i was just after the tranny though since i already had everything from my tko. if that wasnt the case, i think i would have just gone with american powertrain.

MMR does sell for a bit cheaper than most.

Man I hope so.:thumbsup: Still a long way to go to get there.:faint:

That price is the same. Tremec does set the price. I was told if someone is selling them other than what Tremec has set, Tremec will cut off their supply. Not my business what they sell it for anyway, but I ordered mine from Jegs and all of my pieces too...bellhousing, clutch, etc. Some other vendors package prices may be cheaper depending on how they put the package together as far as aftermarket clutch and bellhousing vs. stock clutch and bellhousing, etc. Good luck finding a cheaper price. I called like 3 or 4 places before I ordered 2 years ago and they were all the same price, so I just stuck with Jegs, which is where I order 90% of my stuff anyway.

Just make sure you get the stock shifter. There has been a rash of leaks on aftermarket shifters on Magnums. I've also heard the Magnums are on back order right now.

What did you end up doing for a trans? I remember you were so happy with your TKO you were looking at the T56.

Price wasn't the concern. I am pretty sure everyone is at the same place there. I'm looking more at what vendor provides the best support if something isn't right (like a leaky shifter).

Nothing just yet. I don't see to any real alternative to the Magnum right now though. Not if you desire a quiet street type trans.

Yea I already had a quicktime bell short shaft and Mcleod twin disc clutch for a TKO600 but I don't want to do this twice. I can use the clutch but I sold the bell and shaft and am moving to the Magnum. I think the ratios of the CR Magnum make more sense also. First is a little taller, 5th is a rational overdrive and 6th well idling down the fwy sounds relaxing.

Exactly what I did FET, right down to the Bell....:thumbsup:

I have been talking to American Powertrain and the level of service I have gotten before the sale has been the best of anyone I talked to, and there is a wide margin in the other direction for comparison. As a customer I do not like feeling as though the rep has better things to do or expect me to have all the answers already. That is why they coined terms like Customer Service , Technical Support and Company or Product Representation.

As far as Jegs, Summit or piecemealing the remainder of my conversion the prices in my quote do not support doing that.
The T56mag price may be set but it would seem they have some room to come down on other peripherals.

Vegas69, Have you heard or read of any issues specifically with the White Lightning? I read about the Blackjack but that was it that I saw.

Exactly my thoughts, the gearing is perfect. I'm still not 100% sold that it will cure ALL my 2-3 shift issues but it will be a major improvement.

Yes, check out the Norwood thread here. He replaced the Blackjack with the White Lightning and it leaks worse.

Something to think about is if you are going to get the T56 Magnum customized.

I went with RPM transmissions because I could get a few tweaks and mods that were not available at the time from others (or at least I could not find anyone else) such as machined bronze fork pads, machined bronze shifter bushing, upgraded carbon blocking rings 1st-4th gears as well as micro-polishing, etc.

Not sure if these are items you are interested in, but it may be and it's nice to get the trans-in-a-box to be ready to bolt in.

:cheers:

Thanks. You are correct that is a point to think about. Liberty has a good rep (from what I've read) for their Tremec mods. They offer several upgrades to the T56 also. That is another problem in itself and something I should have also asked at the start of this thread.

Is there any need to modify your T56 for track duty or do they shift well enough in stock form?

I think a fully prepped T56 from liberty gets close to $3500. I'm not in some delusional state I will build my car on the cheap but I do have a budget. My thought right now is put a stock T56 in for the shakedown of the car and if it has shortcomings then I will address it.

That's one thing I havent' decided on at this point. I'm leaning towards having a magnum modified to shift even better. I've caught wind of some high rpm shifting problems with the magnum. I tend to find the weak link with every product so I'll likely choose to do so before I ever stab it.

Not to speak for the vendor, but last I heard RPM retails their Level 6 package for $4995.99. They will give up to $1k refund on a rebuildable T56 core.

These units are tested to 1000 foot pounds of torque.

Is there any need to modify the T56 Magnum for track duty?

You are in the same ballpark as the ZR1 'vette, which sees track time and I have not heard too many having issues (I hear more about issues when the tires hop which would not be the case here).

That said, can you really overbuild a driveline? It's just a good excuse to squeeze a bit more out of the engine.:thumbsup:

http://community.areavoices.com/files/2011/06/tim.jpg

:cheers:

Robert, my stock ls t56 is for sale hint hint ;)

FWIW - I heard the T56 Magnum case is set up to accept an internal pump and has bosses cast for extenal cooler lines. Now if somebody would just make an upgraded shifter that doesn't leak. :D

Did the White Lightning shifter leak the same as the BlackJack?

D

According to his build thread it leaked worse and they haven't called or e-mailed him back......

Yet......I'm spotting them a couple of days in case they were at a trade show or event.