T56 reverse solenoid

[GAZRNR]

Question for those using the T56 not hooked up to GM computer.

 

How have you wired the reverse gear solenoid. Did you use a switch that you manually operate when shifting to reverse? Did you hot wire it so shifting to reverse is always available or do you use the "crash through" method of pushing VERY HARD to force the gate open when shifting to reverse?

 

I am at the point where I need some help on how to address this issue. The switched method seems like a P.I.A. and the hot wire approach concerns me as to how easy it would be to grind reverse when going for 5th.

 

Thanks,

Rusty

[Mike kZ]

I took the solenoid off, then took out the heavy spring, and replaced it with a softer spring. I tried a few different springs until I found one that I liked.

[Guest Anonymous]

I just took it off and made a plug for the hole in the side of the tranny. Works great unless you hit reverse instead of 5th.

[GAZRNR]

Gentlemen, Thanks for the help.

 

Mike, your method seems like the way to go. Where did you get the springs you used and do you remember which one worked best?

 

Thanks,

 

Rusty

[80LS1T]

I went with the switch method. I like Mike's idea though.

 

 

Guy

[strotter]

You can just honk on the thing, it'll go even with the big spring.

[GAZRNR]

Guy,

 

How are you using the switch in your driving. Do you run power to the solenoid only when you are about to use reverse? Have you tried driving the car with power to the solenoid, if yes how are the shifts to 5th? Can you miss 5th and gring reverse easily?

 

Thanks,

Rusty

[RMZ8]

Re. t-56

You can miss 5th gear and grind the gears good if you dont have a reverse lockout = I've done It . Salley.com chevrolet sells the adapter wires for the switch- I also added a (idiot light) so I dont forget that the lockout is off.....RM

[Mike kZ]

Gentlemen' date=' Thanks for the help.

 

Mike, your method seems like the way to go. Where did you get the springs you used and do you remember which one worked best?

 

Thanks,

 

Rusty[/quote']

 

Rusty, I don't remember which one I used. I bought the spring from an Ace Hardware store near me that has everything you can imagine.

[DeleriousZ]

Time for a time out.

[Dunlop]

So how do you hook up the switch method. Also where are these springs located?

 

Thanks

[sweetride2go]

I wired my solenoid to a relay, and ran that off of the brake light switch. I did this off of a relay cause I wasn't sure how much the solenoid would draw, and didn't want to put that much load onto the brake light switch as it doesn't look all that beefy. Works great, just have to tap the brakes to pop it into reverse. I haven't done a load test on the solenoid, but after running it for a while it doesn't seem to put much of a load onto the brake light switch. I might try in on the switch alone if I were to do it again.

 

Cheers

Ryan~

[Chicago_Customz]

Our shop here in Chicago has done probably 15+ T56 upgrades in the past 5 years. We tried several methods, including switches and such and recently one of our customers asked us to do that spring modification trick. Well, it didn't go well and he was really upset after it damaged the trans. Our transmisisons come from D&D Transmission and they said the damage was due to forcing the stick into Reverse.

 

Here are the options and things we have tried in the past.....I welcome your feedback if you don't agree with me....I'm always looking for ideas..

1) Just force it into gear - this damages the trans. We didn't know this until recently, but this is the worst idea.

2) A simple switch you push to get into gear. Works great but a little too caveman for our nice tricked out mods....our customers want something professional. But a viable option.

3) Wire to brake lights - I don't recommend this. Also if you're slowing down while downshifting, this doesn't protect your trans. Also, it's dangerous...one customer's wiring melted and the whole brake circuit went out. Also, there is said to be a delay in teh brake lights coming on if you tap the circuit; we don't want taht liability in our shop, so we don't do this anymore. Brake circuit is way too important to even touch it. I'd do #2 before I did that.

4) Modify the spring by removing some coils. This is not a good solution since you have to get it just right and if you have enough resistance to make it hard to get in Reverse, you are going to damage the internals, per D&D Transmission (they tear all sorts of them apart for rebuilds so they know their stuff).

5) Acutac made a timer box for this, but it is $60 and you still have to press a button - no benefit in my opinion over #2 above.

6) The nicest option we found was from a company called Samoco Industries Samoco Industries They make a "black box", a sort of electronic controller system. It does the work of the original computer and keeps the reverse lockout solenoid de-energized when you are going faster than something like 10mph or so. Taps the VSS sensor to know how fast you're going. We've put in at least 5 or 6 of these systems and they are really the best/nicest solution if the customer doesn't go cheap. Most of our customers want this hands free type of option since they don't like button idea and most don't want you to mess with their springs or brakes.

 

I think if you're flat broke, #2 is the winner; if you have a few bucks to do it nicer, #5 is the best one.

Any other ideas out there?

Edited October 25, 2012 by Chicago_Customz