Road race quicker shifting transmission, Blueprint TKO 500 or new T56 Magnum

[Vegas69]

That TKO belongs in a School Bus or Dump Truck. Great technology for about 1954. I put in carbon fiber synchros, new shifter, and set the clutch air gap with a feeler gauge. While it improved it a bit, it still didn't belong in a performance car. It seems to me that some get better boxes than others. That or their expectations vary greatly. Maybe a bit of both.

I've driven two cars with 56 mags and they were both a world better. Short and concise shifts. When I think of the tko, I always think of the bus driver when I was a kid. You know, when he shifts it from the floor all the way to the dash.

[Ripped]

I found a video of the sequential shifter for a T56. Not to sure about the street, but track would be great

https://youtu.be/wCB3IOUuvmY

[JKnight]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

It seems to me that some get better boxes than others. That or their expectations vary greatly.

I think it’s mostly this, the expectations part. TKO is better than the M21 that was in my car! But, there’s really no doubt the T56 is more well liked. That said, the TKO works great for my expectations and street usage. Doing it over, would probably go T56. Cost isn’t really THAT different...

[Vegas69]

People tend to defend what they have as well. They want validation. All I know is, you couldn't give me a tko.

Alright, I'm off my soapbox. It never gets old ripping on the old tko. ha

[Air-bender]

It seems that you are also street driving your car which leaves you with the only option which is the t-56. Ask other guys who have tracked their pro-touring (street car) and the t-56 magnum is the way to go. Most any trans will perform on the street but you want or should want it to perform at an optimal level on track. If you only track the car then Hightower or Jericho road race would be your ticket. Lightweight, no or minimal tunnel mods and proven on track winners.
My t56 on the track is awesome and I am always amazed when I look at my tach when I'm cruising in 6th gear at 75mph on the highway.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Air-bender

It seems that you are also street driving your car which leaves you with the only option which is the t-56. Ask other guys who have tracked their pro-touring (street car) and the t-56 magnum is the way to go. Most any trans will perform on the street but you want or should want it to perform at an optimal level on track. If you only track the car then Hightower or Jericho road race would be your ticket. Lightweight, no or minimal tunnel mods and proven on track winners.
My t56 on the track is awesome and I am always amazed when I look at my tach when I'm cruising in 6th gear at 75mph on the highway.

I run a JERICO 4 speed in my '65...... great transmissions FOR RACING.... would absolutely suck on the street IMHO.


https://www.jericoperformance.com/

[Flash68]

I drove quite a few miles on the street with a Tex Racing (now G Force) T101A dog ring 4 speed. Same case size as the Muncie so no tunnel mods were needed to replace my crappy M21. Loved it on the street. Drove hundreds of miles with it before engine blew and put me down. Will drive it on the street again!

YMMV

[Ripped]

Lots of great input on this thread, so thanks guys.

So for sure the T56 magnum, is the transmission of choice. I already have the scattershield, which I ordered a few years ago. I am still wrestling with the OD gear ratios.

I think that I read that you can order a close ratio transmission, with the higher OD ratios. The reason I am looking into this, is a couple of the interior highways here have the high speed limits 120-125 kph cruise, and it is not unusual to see people at a little higher, so 75-85 mph and I'd like to keep it at around 2100-2200 max for a good superhighway cruise (which is where I am now)

If I do this on the close ratio trans, it does kind of kill my top end a little.
I like the super cruise.
The wide ratio trans, actually has a similar gear spacing to the current TKO 500 that I have. If I put a 3.73 diff, then effectively it would give me the same top end and add two gears before my current second gear. kind of nice in stop and go traffic, I think