Installed the BK5 kit last week. The kit included everything with no surprises. The TR6060 I converted was a brand new unit for a 2010 Camaro. Here are the PRO's and CONs of doing the conversion as I see them:

PRO's:
-All the benefits of the T56 magnum without the pricetag.
-Low mileage TR6060's are cheaper than similar T56's and much less expensive than their Magnum twins.
-Conversion can be VERY cost effective.. I am only familiar with the DD BK5 kits. Kit was complete and they were very helpful-they know their stuff! $500 before shipping. (I called several other respected T56 shops before deciding on the BK5 kit but none offered the conversion-I anticipate this was due to fear of conversions competing with their rebuilt T56 boxes-I don't have any other explanation?
-3 Shifter positions available-great for swaps.
-Allows for standard pickup or speedo gear if retrofitting into a classic. This also saved significant $ as it allows me to use my factory gauge cluster without a servo conversion box.
-TR6060 has built in oil pump. (this is an $800 option if you order a T56 magnum).
-TR6060 has many internal upgrades over the non magnum T56.
-Yes, you can use a TR6060 without the doing the conversion but you are stuck with needing a custom driveshaft (~$800-$1000), trying to accommodate the factory shifter location or buy/create linkage, and no option for mechanical speedo without a conversion box (~$350 if needed).

CONS:
-The conversion requires COMPLETE disassembly of the transmission (see below). This takes time-lots of it, patience, organization, special tools and moderate mechanical aptitude. The conversion do not include instructions.
-The stock TR6060 ratio's may not be ideal for your setup.
-Camaro TR6060's have a modular bellhousing so it's use outside of LS applications is limited or challenging.


A few notes if you are looking to do this conversion:

• While very similar, this transmission is slightly different than any other T56 conversion video of a T56 or TR6060 that I found on youtube. It is also different from the T56 manuals that are listed online. Take careful notes.
  • The 5/6 gear cluster is not a "cluster". These are separate gears in the Camaro TR6060.
  • The countershaft is not a split countershaft. You will need to pull the reverse gear and the gear behind this to remove the transmission housing.
• Be prepared to pull every splined gear and synchronizer hub! The video's I watched showed many of these gear and synchronizer hubs simply being removed by sliding them off the shaft by hand once the snap rings were removed. I did not have that experience. This transmission was BRAND NEW so tolerances were very tight. (This is a good thing as loose 5th and 6th gears on the mainshaft was a weak point of T56's.)
  • I used a 2 and 3 jaw puller that was modified with strap to give the puller arms significantly longer reach.
  • Every gear that is pulled will need to be pressed back on. My home shop has a very large arbor press but it didn't have the reach needed for any of the gears due to the length of the shaft. Also I would have been unwilling to use a hydraulic press on the gears installed after the mainshaft and countershaft are installed-you would be pressing against the small tapered end bearings with incredible force to install 5th and 6th gear. There may be a better way but I used several different lengths of 2" steel pipe fittings and all-thread in combination with large gear puller to press the gears back on.
• Having an extra hand to install the main case back on is very helpful.
• Take more pictures than you ever think you will need. Pics came in most helpful when reassembling of the shifter forks on the mainshaft before installing the case.

Good luck with your conversion!

BEFORE CONVERSION:


Pic of Puller-Also used bearing splitter/gear puller where possible.

• 
  Press setup using 2" pipe couplings and various length fittings. Drilled hole in cap. Worked great! Finished and ready for install!
  
  

 

Thanks for the input, its great to another option. There isnt enough affordable options for manuals, the only problem l see is the price of tr-6060 are not cheap.
lm working on trying to adapt a tr3650 to the ls.

Stampede.

 

Yes, I completely agree the TR6060 or T56 isn't cheap! It made sense for me but may not for others. Here's my math for total cost-your math will look different I'm sure:

Used T56 with bellhousing: $1700-$2300
$1200-$1900 for a working unit. At this point due to the age of these transmissions, almost any T56 you find will be higher mileage (100k+) and been very well used-as intended. Add AT LEAST another $500-800 in parts/rebuild to be confident that it's ready to go without issue.

Used TR6060: $1700-2500
$1200-$2000 for a used unit. Most of these are from wrecks or the Camaro fire issue and can be consistently found in this price range with less than 30k miles. Most likely a safer bet that the internals are in good shape and ready to go. BK5 Conversion adds another $500 if you go that route. If you don't do the conversion, having a CV driveshaft built will run another $600-800.
The TR6060 is a stronger and improved version of the T56 and is comparable to the Magnum upgraded box BUT it has the integrated bellhousing and the gear ratios are a bit higher than some like. This may be a sticking point for some. It is also a better shifting trans than the T56 IMO but I am comparing a well used box to a newer box.

New T56 Magnum $3800-$4600
$3300-3500 for a new base unit, another $300 for the LS bellhousing and $100 for a slave cylinder. If you want it to be comparable to the TR6060, add the oil pump option which I believe is approx $800 on a new unit.

Again, your math will look different. I found a brand new TR6060 for $2100 on eBay and put another $500 in it with the conversion. If I had snagged a used T56 I would have been in the same price range after rebuild.

Good luck!

 

Your math is spot on, if this doesnt work, at least I have a good option.
Thanks again.

Stampede.

 

Why bother? The 3650 cant even handle the coyote which has less tq then an LS.

 

I'm hoping it will be a valid cheaper option, then what is available now, will it hold up to power shifting and abuse, not for long. But if I can get it to work, and works will, I will not be out that much money.
I'm working on a doing a T45 first, and really should be a great option for a 4.8 and the 5.3.

Thanks.

 

 

 

Hi I am looking at doing the exact same modification here in Australia as the TR6060's can be found at really great prices, a 2017 one with 12k miles on it for $1000 USD was a bargain. The problem I have is Tremec or their dealers won't release any info about these gearboxes as they reckon OEM ones they cannot provide info.
What I need to know is about the mainshaft on TR6060 id it is the same across the board as the BK5 conversion indicated something about a different type of bearing.
:
Fits all 2009-2010 Camaro TR-6060's and others that have a tapered roller pocket bearing.

We have converted the following TR-6060's: tUET5800,7562,10125,1015010400,1061010860.

KIT WILL ALSO WORK WITH 2011-2019 tr-6060'S WITH STRAIGHT ROLLER POCKET BEARING.

SEND US YOUR INPUT SHAFT AND WE WILL MODIFY TO TAPERED ROLLER BEARING DESIGN

This may not be a problem as I am looking at changing the input shaft to the earlier Camaro one to get the full spline setup, versus the dual mass flywheel setup. But once again with No info to be sure,
Is the BK 5 output shaft a Magnum one or is there other types, was there a Tremec code on it?
I have the Magnum rear housing and shifter already, I'm just needing to know the part numbers and possibilities before I go ahead with this as, exchange rate, shipping and taxes kill the whole market here

A T56 Magnum here is around $3800 and does not include oil cooler

 

I gave $3750 for an F converted Magnum, re-used my QT bellhousing and slave, driveshaft etc ( yoke was included in that price too ). Although I believe prices have increased from when I got mine.

Would have been nice for the magnum to have the internal oil pump though, seems a little odd for their aftermarket performance trans not to have it.

Although a regular Magnum at around $3200 is still very good value, just a pity they still havent got a proper F Magnum for that money !

 

I paid 2k for my magnum. Are they really over 3k? thats nuts

 

Where retails a brand new Magnum for $2k ?

 

It was used. I should have specified that. Guess there's not a ton of used ones on the market though