T56 dependability
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 716
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis MN
T56 dependability How dependable is the T56 in its stock form? I am asking because I just put one in my 71 camaro and I should be driving it soon. I have never driven a car with a T56 but all I ever see when I come to this forum are problems people are having with their T56......look at the main manual trans page and see what I mean...
Either the hydraulics are messed up or gears are stuck/broken, rebuilds on low mileage transmissions.....the list is endless...
I am almost regretting having gone with this trans and I have not driven it yet.
For those who know these transmissions better, do the complaints here pretty much describe the T56 or are these just isolated cases
what di you guys think about your T56s?
Either the hydraulics are messed up or gears are stuck/broken, rebuilds on low mileage transmissions.....the list is endless...
I am almost regretting having gone with this trans and I have not driven it yet.
For those who know these transmissions better, do the complaints here pretty much describe the T56 or are these just isolated cases
what di you guys think about your T56s?
My t56 has held up strong. When I got it rebuilt I know why it needed rebuilding (powershifts, clutch dumping at 5k rpms, dropping it from 6th to 2nd). Anything you could think of doing to **** up your transmission, I did. All in the name of street racing, what an idiot!!! 
If you treat them right, they'll treat you right.
But once you mess something up, it's just like a cycle. It'll damage something else until you fix it.
If you treat them right, they'll treat you right.
But once you mess something up, it's just like a cycle. It'll damage something else until you fix it.
mine has 64,000 HARD miles. 50,000 of which were in a setup making ~400rwhp. It's also seen it's definate fair share of 6600rpm launches at the track on slicks with a 150+ shot of nitrous off the line. Lots and lots of dropping into 2nd gear @ 70+mph roll racing as well... on and off the gas. 
(Many low 11second passes in a full-weight car)
I've had no real issues with clutches, nor with any of the hydraulics.
My transmission still runs and is dependable enough to get me around 750+ miles per week behind a 500rwhp motor. I personally find them to be a very dependable transmission.
Mine does do a little bit of howling and rattling though... but with the abuse that it's been put through... woulda though it?
(Many low 11second passes in a full-weight car)I've had no real issues with clutches, nor with any of the hydraulics.
My transmission still runs and is dependable enough to get me around 750+ miles per week behind a 500rwhp motor. I personally find them to be a very dependable transmission.
Mine does do a little bit of howling and rattling though... but with the abuse that it's been put through... woulda though it?
Mine has been going strong for over 70k miles, not one single problem. The reason you hear a lot of bad things is that ppl only post when they have a problem. No one with a perfectly good tranny posts up "still going ok!" 
Originally Posted by Schitzo
How dependable is the T56 in its stock form? I am asking because I just put one in my 71 camaro and I should be driving it soon. I have never driven a car with a T56 but all I ever see when I come to this forum are problems people are having with their T56......look at the main manual trans page and see what I mean...
Either the hydraulics are messed up or gears are stuck/broken, rebuilds on low mileage transmissions.....the list is endless...
I am almost regretting having gone with this trans and I have not driven it yet.
For those who know these transmissions better, do the complaints here pretty much describe the T56 or are these just isolated cases
what di you guys think about your T56s?
Either the hydraulics are messed up or gears are stuck/broken, rebuilds on low mileage transmissions.....the list is endless...
I am almost regretting having gone with this trans and I have not driven it yet.
For those who know these transmissions better, do the complaints here pretty much describe the T56 or are these just isolated cases
what di you guys think about your T56s?
Andrew
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: NY
T-56 trannies are incredibly strong. There are some factory shortcomings that make up probably 80-90% of everyone's problems on here. These are stamped key synchros, aluminum 3-4 shift fork, and I think (not certain) paper blockers. I myself just re-installed my tranny after a light rebuild that takes care of all these shortcomings.
Other problems you see on here are mostly from aftermarket clutches/hydraulic master cylinders and slaves. Shimming here, McCloud adjustable there. Centerforce this, RAM that, etc etc.
I believe other than those factory shortcomings, T-56's are very strong transmissions.
Other problems you see on here are mostly from aftermarket clutches/hydraulic master cylinders and slaves. Shimming here, McCloud adjustable there. Centerforce this, RAM that, etc etc.
I believe other than those factory shortcomings, T-56's are very strong transmissions.
a stock t56 will work for most occasions. To be reliable for continous drag or road racing just billet keys and a steel shift fork need to be installed. I believe the 01-02 have the better fork which also helps with the key issue
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On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: sykesville, md
dude, im a cars worst nightmare when i race and mess around on the street and highway. i shift like i need anger management. when its time to rip the street up and race....i dont F*** around lol. i bought my z28 bone stock with 21k miles, and i put so far 25k miles on it. ive had 3 other cars (imports) that the trannys couldnt handle me.....and after owning the z for 2 years, i am impressed with how much of a beatin u can thro at it. it holds its reputation for being strong and dependable. yea **** happens here and there but oh well. plus its impressive that its used in vettes, vipers, svt cobras, and 05 mustang gts (beasts of cars). my friend ran his 94 lt4 firebird m-6 about 48 times a year in a et bracket racing league for 2 years runnin slicks dumpin @ 3500rpm launches.....now 116k miles on stock t-56 w/ centorforce clutch and still drivin...recently small grindin goin into 3rd. but yea....u get the point. juss want to give a lil story and situation supportin the t-56. i think its one of the best manual trannys ive driven or owned.
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i would have to agree that the T56 is a very strong and dependable tranny and being as how the majority of the people on this board rows through the gears and goes to the track and basically beats the hell out of it on a routine basis and still have minimal problems is testament to the t56
right now my input shaft bearing is going out on mine but i think that has more to do with the previous owner
right now my input shaft bearing is going out on mine but i think that has more to do with the previous owner
Originally Posted by Grimes
Mine has been going strong for over 70k miles, not one single problem. The reason you hear a lot of bad things is that ppl only post when they have a problem. No one with a perfectly good tranny posts up "still going ok!"
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 716
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis MN
I guess I stand corrected......I got a chance to drive my car after the swap this weekend.....so far shifting through the gears has been great.....its been a long time coming for my left foot.
I guess they didint noticed the Nitto's 
Originally Posted by Schitzo
How dependable is the T56 in its stock form? I am asking because I just put one in my 71 camaro and I should be driving it soon. I have never driven a car with a T56 but all I ever see when I come to this forum are problems people are having with their T56......look at the main manual trans page and see what I mean...
Either the hydraulics are messed up or gears are stuck/broken, rebuilds on low mileage transmissions.....the list is endless...
I am almost regretting having gone with this trans and I have not driven it yet.
For those who know these transmissions better, do the complaints here pretty much describe the T56 or are these just isolated cases
what di you guys think about your T56s?
Either the hydraulics are messed up or gears are stuck/broken, rebuilds on low mileage transmissions.....the list is endless...
I am almost regretting having gone with this trans and I have not driven it yet.
For those who know these transmissions better, do the complaints here pretty much describe the T56 or are these just isolated cases
what di you guys think about your T56s?
How dependable is the T56 in its stock form? I am asking because I just put one in my 71 camaro and I should be driving it soon. I have never driven a car with a T56 but all I ever see when I come to this forum are problems people are having with their T56......look at the main manual trans page and see what I mean...
Either the hydraulics are messed up or gears are stuck/broken, rebuilds on low mileage transmissions.....the list is endless...
I am almost regretting having gone with this trans and I have not driven it yet.
For those who know these transmissions better, do the complaints here pretty much describe the T56 or are these just isolated cases
what di you guys think about your T56s?
Either the hydraulics are messed up or gears are stuck/broken, rebuilds on low mileage transmissions.....the list is endless...
I am almost regretting having gone with this trans and I have not driven it yet.
For those who know these transmissions better, do the complaints here pretty much describe the T56 or are these just isolated cases
what di you guys think about your T56s?
You are absolutely right!!! never looked at it like that... great point
