Heavy85

Road race car and looking to drop some weight. The T56 is huge and heavy and I dont need two overdrives. What's a good, affordable, and lighter weight alternative? With the right gear ratios a 4 speed could even work or a default 5 speed. I'm ignorant to trans options and looking for alternatives to look into. I'm at 365 whp so nothing too extreme.

Thanks
Cameron

T56pro

iTrader: (1)

What gear ratios are you looking for? That will help decide which unit is right for you.

Heavy85

Good question. The '02 Camaro T56 I have now is not too bad. Could make similar ratios work but would rather have a taller 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. For the tracks I run it's decent but have more than ideal 3-4 shifts per lap. However the main reason for a potential change is to lose weight.

3.7 rear end although I have 3.56 and 3.9 that could swap for. 25" tires. 6700 RPM redline. Lets say no less than 150 MPH top speed.

MerkXRTurbo

A T56 is ~135lbs dry, IIRC.

A T5 dry is around 80lbs or so, but with 365whp it's days would be numbered. It could certainly be built to withstand your power rating, but expect to sink a couple grand to get it there. The value of your used T56 might be enough to mostly offset this cost.

The TKO transmissions are around 115ish lbs IIRC, and will handle anything a T56 will, but these cost $$$ as well. An awful lot of work for 20lbs savings, especially considering that the weight sits so low in the car.

Heavy85

That sucks. I knew the ~55 lb difference which is what was so attractive and was banking on offsetting much of the cost by selling the T56. However, if it takes a heavier TKO and results in only 20 lb then you are right and it's not worth the effort. I want to take weight off the front end as it's 51% nose heavy and want to shift a couple % to the rear by taking weight off the front. Race weight is 2730 lb currently but would the relatively low weight help one of the lower trans work?

What about 4 speed options?

Cameron

garys 68

iTrader: (1)

Muncie or T10 are only about 75lbs. 1st gears are around 2.6 (wide ratio) to 2.2 (close ratio). They should hold up to that hp easily. Standard upgrades like a supercase or iron midplate will hold more. If you really want to beat on it you can get a Jericho or 101 version with square cut gears and dogs instead of synchros.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/manual-tr...ello-4spd.html

https://ls1tech.com/forums/manual-tr...elete-t56.html

And if you want to shed a few more lbs.
http://www.racingjunk.com/Clutches/1...el-Chevy-.html

T56pro

iTrader: (1)

Depending on your budget, a T5 with an after market gear set in it would handle it as well and weighs about 80 lbs.

athornt2

iTrader: (18)

I'm in the process of doing a similar swap. I race in American Iron and am putting a Super-T10 in to save 70ish lbs. I'm currently trying to figure out if I can use a UMI/BMR TH350 trans crossmember for the swap or if I'm going to have to make my own.