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T56 Magnum “F” to be released finally!

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You all may not be as excited as I am, but I’ve been waiting for this transmission for a few years. The prototype now exists, and will be available for sale this summer.

This is a 6 speed T56 Magnum transmission set up as a drop in for the GM F body!

The original T56 Magnum has a sub optimal mount setup and shifter position for most LS engine swaps in more modern cars. The old F body T56 works perfect, but is a weaker trans.

The aftermarket has been making this Magnum F body trans configuration for years, but at a $1500+ cost premium over the standard T56 Magnum.
 

HighVoltage329

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Is this the trans I will need for my 1966 Nova? Currently has no motor or trans but planing on going with an LS or LT motor.
 

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Is this the trans I will need for my 1966 Nova? Currently has no motor or trans but planing on going with an LS or LT motor.

You may be able to use the original magnum T56. You’ll just have to take a few measurements. The original T56 magnum works for *most* classic cars. It all depends on where you want the shifter.
 

Bigbore500r

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Is this the trans I will need for my 1966 Nova? Currently has no motor or trans but planing on going with an LS or LT motor.
The F body shifter position is still very far towards the rear, and will most likely come up right at the edge of your seat. Which works for buckets, but the shifer position is a bit far back. Compared to a muncie the shifter is way further back....
 

Ziggy

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Truth. Maybe this tranny won’t get all noisy and rough on me.
Wondered if you did the conversion on your Matz-da or if you got it that way. There is/was a shop in San Marcos well known for their monster miadas conversions.
 

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Wondered if you did the conversion on your Matz-da or if you got it that way. There is/was a shop in San Marcos well known for their monster miadas conversions.

I did all of the conversion aside from the exhaust and radiator mounts in my garage.
 

Taboma

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Wondered if you did the conversion on your Matz-da or if you got it that way. There is/was a shop in San Marcos well known for their monster miadas conversions.

My friend Martin (V8Miata) is still there alive and well --- and going in a 100 directions simultaneously as always :eek: :p
 

HighVoltage329

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The F body shifter position is still very far towards the rear, and will most likely come up right at the edge of your seat. Which works for buckets, but the shifer position is a bit far back. Compared to a muncie the shifter is way further back....

Are there any late model trans that fit without cutting up the floor?
 

Bigbore500r

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Are there any late model trans that fit without cutting up the floor?
TKO 500 / TKO 600 or the like. They generally fit where a muncie would have gone without much fuss. They had a reputation for being hard to shift, but there is a company that sells them blueprinted with some tricks that makes them work well. I believe they are 5 speeds though, single overdrive.
 

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TKO 500 / TKO 600 or the like. They generally fit where a muncie would have gone without much fuss. They had a reputation for being hard to shift, but there is a company that sells them blueprinted with some tricks that makes them work well. I believe they are 5 speeds though, single overdrive.

Yes all the TKO variants are 5 speed trans

The original T56 Magnum was designed to mimic the shifter placement of the TKO. It has 3 possible shifter positions. The stock one is closest to a TKO trans.
 

Bigbore500r

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Yes all the TKO variants are 5 speed trans

The original T56 Magnum was designed to mimic the shifter placement of the TKO. It has 3 possible shifter positions. The stock one is closest to a TKO trans.
Other than the $1500 price bump, was there other issues with the magnum trans not shifting smooth like a factory T56? Thought i heard some stuff
 

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Other than the $1500 price bump, was there other issues with the magnum trans not shifting smooth like a factory T56? Thought i heard some stuff

The Magnum is solid, and will shift smoother than a T56. Typically shifting issues with these are due to bad/not bled throw out bearings and/or improper clutch setup.

My current T56 shifts great and it was rebuilt with all the durability upgrades 8 years ago. It will randomly crunch the syncros going into 4th. I was going to pull it and have new synchros installed. But for the money used T56s are getting these days, I'm better off selling it, and getting this new trans that is stronger and has the gearing I want. Plus I can reuse my current shifter and driveshaft. With the old Magnum trans I would have had to modify my trans mount, get a $500 offset shifter and shorten my driveshaft. Now I can just drop it in, install my current shifter, and swap the output yoke on my drive shaft to a 31 spline and drive the car.

The Magnum line is just a TR6060 (OEM 6 speed in Camaro, Corvette, Gen 2 CTS-v, GT500 Mustang etc.) with a different case geared toward muscle car use. It has larger gears, better synchros, and a single piece intermediate shaft than the T56. You can use it with a mechanical or electric speedo, and the shift position is reconfigurable with additional parts.
 

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Can you upgrade a factory T-56 to a Magnum or is that something totally different? My 96 WS6 T/A is still sitting in the back of the shop, waiting to get love one day. The nice thing about waiting is all the cool new hardware that comes out and the cost to get to what I want keeps going down.
 

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Can you upgrade a factory T-56 to a Magnum or is that something totally different? My 96 WS6 T/A is still sitting in the back of the shop, waiting to get love one day. The nice thing about waiting is all the cool new hardware that comes out and the cost to get to what I want keeps going down.

You can, for ~$4500. It is cheaper to just buy this T56 Magnum F trans when it comes out for $3200 and sell your current T-56 for $2K+.

That is why I've been waiting for this.
 

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Was never a Fan of the 6 spds. Notchy and inaccurate feel. They'll hold some fuckin' power though. Especially the Viper spec Trans.
 

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Was never a Fan of the 6 spds. Notchy and inaccurate feel. They'll hold some fuckin' power though. Especially the Viper spec Trans.

I personally like the feel. They are very precise - when they are in good shape and not beat to shit that is. But they are very sensitive to clutch adjustment. If you are used to cars with a shift "linkage" the narrow pattern takes a bit of getting used to.

I think I have over 80K miles with them in various cars I can count on one hand the number of missed shifts I've had.
 

BONER

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I personally like the feel. They are very precise - when they are in good shape and not beat to shit that is. But they are very sensitive to clutch adjustment. If you are used to cars with a shift "linkage" the narrow pattern takes a bit of getting used to.

I think I have over 80K miles with them in various cars I can count on one hand the number of missed shifts I've had.

I've installed tons myself while working at a Mustang Shop for a few years. I just always felt the 5 spds were a little more positive when beating on the Car like it owed you money. A little longer throw, but that doesn't matter much on WOT up shifts. :)

Otherwise though, if you don't mind the feel, great Transmissions. There's a reason Tremec is still around!
 

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Also, if anybody needs some pricing on a Tremec I have a good Referral. A Friend of mine is a HUGE Dealer for Tremec.
 

bonesfab

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Is this the trans I will need for my 1966 Nova? Currently has no motor or trans but planing on going with an LS or LT motor.

A t56 will never fit in the stock tunnel of that car. You will require surgery to do it right and not fight driveline vibrations.
 

bonesfab

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Are there any late model trans that fit without cutting up the floor?

Floor surgery will be required for most Late model trans. Tremec tko, t-56 , 4l80e or any of the newer automatics. Don’t mean to be a downer.
 

stevesdcb

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Currently have a 67 Chevelle, small block 700r deal. Want to convert to a manual trans, probably tko 500. What's the deal with American Powertrain advertising that they shave down the Tremec case to lessen or eliminate cutting the tunnel in a Chevelle? Any other info on who to buy from? Who is your guy Boner?
 
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