Guest Anonymous Posted June 14, 2000 Share Posted June 14, 2000 Why are these two versions of the T56 priced so differently? Is one better than the other? http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/ChevyTransmissions/gmt56.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 15, 2000 Share Posted June 15, 2000 Psyence, The torque rating for the more expensive unit is 450lbs while the torque rating for the less expensive unit is 400lbs. The gear ratios are also different. Those are the only differences I see, I will be really interested in some of the other posts as I am curious as well. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 15, 2000 Share Posted June 15, 2000 I noticed those two things as well. The gear ratios are shown to be different in the text as is the torque rating, but the more expensive unit with the higher torque rating states that everything but the gear ratios are the same as the MUCH cheaper unit... hmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Scott Posted June 15, 2000 Share Posted June 15, 2000 Not too sure which models we're talking. If its the orig equip one vs the aftermarket, then the OE will have the skipshift solinoid, no speedo. provisions, and the higher torque rating. Orig. equip parts always seem to run high. Dealer profit I would assume. The GM with 2.66 1st is rated @ 450 lb/ft, and has a unique bellhousing. The aftermarket T56 (Borg Warner is now owned by Tremec) with 2.97 1st is 400 lb/ft and bolts to a T5 bellhousing. Straight up I might add. Pretty cool set up. I'm slowly learning that there's so much more to this torque rating than just your engines output. Just as important if not more, is what kind of traction you put through the tires vehicle weight, gearing, etc. JS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarp Posted June 15, 2000 Share Posted June 15, 2000 hhhmmm interesting post I'll see if I can find out (maybe limited supply) GOOD ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 15, 2000 Share Posted June 15, 2000 John brings up a good point, aftermarket v. original equipment. There was an article in "Popular Hot Rodding" earlier this year on how to eliminate the skip shift on the T56. I tried to get into the Tremec website for more information but was unable to. Their address is www.ttcautomotive.com if someone else can get in and do some research. Thanks, Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike kZ Posted June 15, 2000 Share Posted June 15, 2000 The top one is '93, the bottom one is '94 to '97. The second one is the sought after one, because of the better torque rating, and better final gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fast Frog Posted June 15, 2000 Share Posted June 15, 2000 John Scott, Chris, Mike kZ, et.al.: I've been monitoring this topic and picked up a possible solution to my problem that I posted a few days ago regarding installing a late model Camaro bell hsg with its 15 degree tilt to my WC T-5 tranny-I had to shim the driver's side of the shifter to get it to mount thru the console half way decent. John, could I just simply replace my WC T-5 with the "lesser" T-56??? Would it solve the tilt problem as well as give me 100 ftlbs more torque as well as 6 gears??? I know that I might have to remount my JTR trans bracket and shorten the drive shaft a bit. This would be a great solution if it is true!!!!! BTW, what are the gear ratios for the "lesser" T-56?? [This message has been edited by Fast Frog (edited June 15, 2000).] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike kZ Posted June 15, 2000 Share Posted June 15, 2000 To install the T56 transmission to a T5 bell housing you will need the adapter on the site below. But if you want the T56 to be straight, you will have to drill new holes in this adapter to make it straight. This adapter is for a Camaro that needs the angle for the trany. Hope this makes sence. http://drivetrain.com/gmt56inst.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Scott Posted June 15, 2000 Share Posted June 15, 2000 Absolutely Frog. Actually, the Aftermarket T56 comes with the adapter already drilled for the T5 trans. And includes the shifter. It bolts in upright to the tilted T5 bolt pattern. I have a list of parts from Rob to make the Swap complete(wiring pigtails,fasteners, etc.) You'd have to re-drill it to fit the Corvette bell. Gear ratios are 2.97,1.94,1.35,1.00,.84,.62. This was designed to be a bolt in behind the T5 bellhousing. Seemed too good to be true, so I had to get one. Again Burt Chev. has the others beat on the price, but you have to pay Denver's high sales tax. I figures by the time I found a good T56, bell housing, retrofitted a electronic speedo, bought a shifter, the New one would be a good deal. Now I'm thinking there are 3 T56s. The older orig. model, newer original, and aftermarket. For the simplicity of installation, and the common T5 bellhousing, the aftermarket is a good choice. If your needing a higher torque trans then better stick to the late T56s. Frog, let me know if you need some numbers. JS [This message has been edited by John Scott (edited June 16, 2000).] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fast Frog Posted June 15, 2000 Share Posted June 15, 2000 Thanks JS and the rest of you!! I'm probably going to wait until after I complete my new ZV8 project-18+ mos. I did call the Drivetrain Specialists after visiting their web sight (provided by Mike kZ-Thanks!!). They want $2600-$2800 for a new aftermarket 400 ft lbs T-56!!! I hope that there are some good used ones out there at a much lower price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Scott Posted June 15, 2000 Share Posted June 15, 2000 FF, Burt has them for 2168.00. You know no one has abused it before you get your dirty little hands on it! Give me a call if you want more details.(Before 9PM) JS [This message has been edited by John Scott (edited June 15, 2000).] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fast Frog Posted June 15, 2000 Share Posted June 15, 2000 Thanks John!! But I got to keep focused. My new ZV8 project 1st!! I can change out the old T-5 with a T-56 after I build something the wife can drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Scott Posted June 16, 2000 Share Posted June 16, 2000 ZD, www.burt.com 800-345-5744 site is pretty lame compared to Sallee. No info. I could find on the T56. Hows your project coming? Have you located a engine? JS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 16, 2000 Share Posted June 16, 2000 Considering the numerous complaints on this board about first gears being too short and the higher torque rating, I've decided on the T56 with these specs: Gear ratios: 2.66:1 first, 1.78:1 second, 1.30:1 third, 1.00:1 fourth, .74:1 fifth, .50:1 sixth, and 3.28:1 reverse. Torque capacity: 450 lb-ft. Now, who's got the cheapest price on a new one? Sallee is asking $3000 without flywheel, bellhousing, shipping. Or is that as good as it gets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Scott Posted June 16, 2000 Share Posted June 16, 2000 Max, Sounds like you know what you want. Good man! Liberty 313 278 4040 has reconditioned T56s, or do you want a virgin unit? JS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 17, 2000 Share Posted June 17, 2000 Of course a virgin unit would be nice, but I figure since this version of the T56 has only been in service for about 5 years (correct?), a reconditioned unit would probably be fine (I'm shooting for 400HP/400LBS, so the extra 50 LBS allowed in the virgin transmission would be a nice cushion)... but then again, maybe 400 won't be enough for me Do you know the prices of the virgin and reconditioned units? Thanks Max Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Dreamer Posted June 17, 2000 Share Posted June 17, 2000 Hey John Scott, what's the web address for Burt Chevy? ------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 18, 2000 Share Posted June 18, 2000 Psyence, Do you know the vehicle weights they are using when they give the torque ratings? I think it would be interesting as it would obviously be easier on the transmission with a lighter vehicle. I read on the web about a guy with a 5.0 Mustang that ran over 300 passes in the 9s with a T5 without failure. I believe that transmission is only rated at 330lbs. He only ran one season with that trans and switched over to a Liberty just for extra insurance. But the T5 was still holding up when it came out of the car. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 18, 2000 Share Posted June 18, 2000 You know what... I think you're right about that. I realize that the torque rating of a transmission is not a simple function of the engine torque alone, but rather, as you said, a complicated affair taking into consideration car weight, tire type, and certainly the manner in which the transmission is treated. Knowing that, I still would like to go with something I know I won't outgrow for a while. It may be more expensive at first, but it's certainly cheaper than going with a weaker transmission and deciding to upgrade later. I would, however, go with something like a T5 if it had benefits other than price. For example, weight vs the T56 or greater ease of installation. Do you know anything about the T5 or any other transmission that would suit my setup that I should take into consideration? I won't be doing the engine/tranny swap for at least a couple months so I'll have time to make a "good" decision. I want to take care of the Z's suspension and brakes before I get in over my head power-wise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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