20 year old T56 trans worth it?

[verdelaw]

Hey guys,

I'm committed to putting a modern transmission in my Charger. I had planned on buying a new TKO500 for it, but someone I know has a 6 speed T56 from 1995 out of a camaro that he'd sell me for $800ish. Says it has a brand new clutch. He wants to sell the car but feels he can get more out of it if he parts it. Hence selling an (apparently) perfectly good transmission.

Thoughts? Is it worth $800? Is it worth it to buy a brand new trans? Curious what the experienced members think. Thanks for your time. :toothy9:

 

[747mopar]

I'd say no, if I'm not mistaken the Camaro version is weaker. Call Don Sharpton Auto and get a Viper tranny, I did a build thread (Viper T56 install) on the installation of mine that has all the cost and vendors I used. Don't know if they've fixed them yet or not but the TKO I had shifted like a truck, the T56 is incredible though... love it!

 

[verdelaw]

It is weaker, but marginally so from the research I've done.

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Looked at your thread (again.. I'd forgotten about it) 747, thanks for the cluebird. Checked out Don's site. Only matched me three transmissions... a 2003, 1997, and a 1996. I guess I was expecting more inventory. The 2003 doesn't list a condition rating, I wonder what that means... though the description reads "*REBUILT* W/O SPEED SENSOR GEN3 A-OK! READY TO SHIP! +$350 CORE". So maybe because it's rebuilt.

 

[Photon440]

If it's from a '95 Camaro, it should be rated to hold 450 lb/ft. of torque.

 

[verdelaw]

If it's from a '95 Camaro, it should be rated to hold 450 lb/ft. of torque.

That's what I came up with as well.

And after reading 747's thread, the TKOs apparently shift like a truck.. and his opinion is echoed by some others.

 

[747mopar]

I'd call them, they were great to deal with and had more options available than the site showed plus charged a little less as well. As far as the TKO goes they call it bolt in all the time but truth be told it's not unless you like the tail pointing down at a goid angle. If your gonna cut it make it worth it and get the Cadillac of trannies.

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The other thing to consider is gear ratio, 6th gear in these trannies won't work well with any motor that has an rpm range that starts above 1,800 rpm.

 

[usaroadrunner]

don't know if this is an option, i bought the tr6060 6 speed a reman for 1800 with one year warranty. you can get used ones a lil cheaper with th bell housing an clutch. i only put 2500 miles on it so far but its perfect.

 

[verdelaw]

i bought the tr6060 6 speed a reman for 1800 with one year warranty. you can get used ones a lil cheaper with th bell housing an clutch. i only put 2500 miles on it so far but its perfect.

Who did you buy from?

 

[usaroadrunner]

I did a search on the web, talked to 3 different places the one I picked was in indiana. I will go thru my 2 books of receipts to find the company's name. It was in excellent shape, fast shipping.

 

[747mopar]

2? I figured you'd have a library by now haha.

 

[Dennis H]

I thought that they require a huge hole to be cut compared to the Tremec. Larger dimensions.

 

[Cranky]

I'd call them, they were great to deal with and had more options available than the site showed plus charged a little less as well. As far as the TKO goes they call it bolt in all the time but truth be told it's not unless you like the tail pointing down at a goid angle. If your gonna cut it make it worth it and get the Cadillac of trannies.

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The other thing to consider is gear ratio, 6th gear in these trannies won't work well with any motor that has an rpm range that starts above 1,800 rpm.

You're saying that the engine needs to have decent torque below 1800 to be able to pull 6th? Kinda like a 5.9 diesel? :grin: I'm wanting to run a stick but it's got to be able to power shift. I have a Jerico but they don't really like street use.....and it's not an OD unit. When I bought the Jerico, the plan was to drag race it and even though I wouldn't mind converting my diesel to a stick too, my question is mainly for my street car.

 

[747mopar]

I cruise at 80 mph and only run about 1,800 rpm with 3:55s, I never have to downshift or give it much pedal to maintain speed on hills but you definitely don't try to accelerate in 6th. 5th gear is a dream, can easily cruise 55-70 mph at a good rpm but the .5 6th is eco only. I've been keeping my eye open for the Austin Martin shafts to become available again so I can regear 5th and 6th. My whole motor was built for 1,800-5,800 rpm and it's perfectly happy cruising at that rpm but anything above that with the same gear would not like it. The new ones that Summit sells really have the ideal gearing in my opinion.

 

[Cranky]

I usually run steeper gears than that....used to run around with 4.56's in my 71 Cuda. That was fun lol. I'm thinking about installing an 8 3/4 in my 95 Dakota with 4.56's. Our Durango has 3.90's in it from the factory with the 5.2 and it does pretty well and will get 13 at 80mph and 17 at 60mph. Not too bad for a 2000 @ 4600 lbs. It's pretty unreal that the over head read out is so close to the paper measurements....

 

[747mopar]

I was right at 2,000 rpm with the 4:30s going 70mph.