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Supra 6 speed on nissan L motor


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I really question the need for a 6-spd trans on a street car. As I look at the performance data on cars with 6-spds, I do not think it offers any performance advantage and in fact every one I have seen shows the car slows down in 6th gear. The only purpose I see them serving is allowing a performance car to have a very high overall gear ratio to lug the engine for better gas mileage to meet CAFE requirements.

 

Am I missing something? Is performance the reason why the SBC guys want a T56 or is it just the best option available?

 

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Scottie

71 240GN-Z

Scottie's GNZ

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Guest Anonymous

Well, considering the t56 is a newer transmission, they are in general in better condition, and they will take lots of power, and it lets you run a real low rear end. I'd use one if I could! frown.gif

What are your chopices for sticks on american V8s? Various BW transmissions basically, right?

 

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Morgan

http://z31.com/~morgan/s30

http://carfiche.com

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...or richmond, or lenco if you don't mind five shifters smile.gif

 

the extra gear does nothing for performance directly, but if we use as an example a daily driver (the epitome of streetable), a sixth gear gives you better fuel economy and less wear on the highway. also, given the same range of ratios as a 5 speed, each gear is slightly closer to its neighbors, thus keeping you in a tighter gear range for performance... and making for theoretically smoother shifts, which is a nice benefit.

 

plus, when was the last time you heard of a broken t56? they are significantly stronger than a t5.

 

edit to reprhase and clarify: what i'm saying is, you can either have a wider range of ratios without just movign the gears farther apart, which lends itself to both a lower first and a taller overdrive, or you can keep the same range of ratios, but have an extra in there that brings them closer together.

 

[This message has been edited by pauli (edited January 24, 2001).]

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I think there is at least one Aussie company that supplies bellhousings and etc. for using the Supra trans in various other cars. I have seen some write ups with the Supra 5sp replacing the Volvo 4+1 for instance. Here it is, Dellow Automotive. They also do a conversion for Jaguar 6s and 12s.

 

I don't know that I've ever seen info on any Supra transmissions being adapted to Nissan though.

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I've heard it from at least one T56 user that they'd not do a T-56 next time. I'll let them chime in if they want.

 

No doubt 6 speeds aren't needed on a wide torque band motor like a V8. In fact, I'd love a four speed with 4th being an overdrive! That's essentially what I have, since the Tremec first gear is 3.27, and I have a 3.7:1 rear.

 

Close ratio transmissions are great for drag racing if the engine is built to a narrow powerband. But on the street, I agree, fewer widely spaced gear ratios (provided you have adequate and broad rpm torque) is preferable.

 

The T56 is just the easy way to get a tough good shifting trans behind a SBC.

 

I went the Tremec route to get a tough trans, before I'd heard all the bad stuff about shift quality. The tiny bit I've driven it with cold gear lube showed it to shift fine, even with the stock (infamously crappy) shifter. No telling yet how it will work when asked to shift quickly in spirited driving.

 

I think the T-5 is underrated and I wished I'd gone that route, actually.

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Hey Evan, Kennedy Engineering (the guys that do the Porsche V8 adapters) has adapters for nearly every engine/tranny combo you could think of. I'm not sure of their url, but they are the ones to look for. Hope this info helps.

 

David

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RE Scottie's question. I think looking at the torque ratings of the transmissions availible, the T56 offers the best solution for the price and avalibility. For most, and especially a street driven car, the double overdrive isn't so much a peformance issue as just a great way to keep your mega buck engine intact on those long hauls. You still use 3 or 4 gears at the track. Sub 2000 rpms at fast hiway speeds is a really cool way to travel back home...and yes the milage can be an issue too.

JS

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Obviously dealing with a company on the opposite hemisphere might be a challenge (can't imagine the shipping charges), but this company seems well equipped to provide an adapter for the Supra 6speed to Nissan L28:

 

http://www.rodshop.com.au/

 

They've certainly got a loooong list of various adaptations (although I couldn't find Supra6 to L28 listed).

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Guest Anonymous

Yeah, Castlemaine rod shop might have some such animal. I checked into a Ford V8 to Supra 5sp tran bellhousing, and the bellhousing (with pilot bearing and a few assorted pieces) ran like 250.00. Which for a specialty bellhousing is not that bad. The exchange rate is favorable for us 'Yanks'.

 

Lone

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