T-56 6-speed discussion...my posts updated

[Bill_Reilly]

I'm told Geoff and his brother parted ways unfortunately, but Geoff continues to work on things. I havent spoken to his brother, so I'm sure what he's doing.
I just always dealt with Geoff, so I call him by default.

[blackbetty]

maybe this question has been answered before but I just havn't seen it. I'm wondering where the shifter would come out with the array of T56 transmissions that came in all these different vehicles. If possible I want to reuse my stock console after install so nobody is the wiser of what I've got under the shifter.

The trans will not fit in the stock tunnel and the shifters come out in the middle in the tail of the trans. You can probably modify the shifter to move it over but the tunnel will need modified.

[MyCreation68]

maybe this question has been answered before but I just havn't seen it. I'm wondering where the shifter would come out with the array of T56 transmissions that came in all these different vehicles. If possible I want to reuse my stock console after install so nobody is the wiser of what I've got under the shifter.

The trans will not fit in the stock tunnel and the shifters come out in the middle in the tail of the trans. You can probably modify the shifter to move it over but the tunnel will need modified.

I know the tunnel will require modification. but I'd like to use my stock floor shift console so the car looks "stock"

[swisswill]

The crossmember in the yellow challenger worked out great, so I think I may do something like that, but it's based around the US cartool frame connectors, so it'll be more of a kit that includes those and the crossmember fitted to them. You'd bolt the crossmember and connectors together and weld them under the floor as a unit so everything fit nice.

Any chance of this kit becoming reality?  I'm getting ready to order my frame connectors and will wait if so.

Any updates on installs of the T56 in A bodies, pics, new stuff, etc?

[M Gerko]

Bill - good to see some photos of that T56 installed.

A buddy of mine is thinking of doing a big block swap to his 75, I just stumbled across this thread.  Yes, Gerko Engineering is defunct.  Family fued got in the way of a good product.  I have still done a couple small conversion parts for guys, mainly over on Moparts.  Stuff pertaining to the A-bodies I've got all the info on, guys can PM me here or email at mark_gerko@yahoo.com with questions or looking for conversion parts for TKO stuff.  I do have info on the 6060 too.  I know little about my brother now..... I won't recommend him or speak badly about him either - just bad blood that I'm trying not to flame.

[Dave_n_68_383S]

For a street car or touring car the t-56 is not worth the trouble over a 5-speed tremmec IMHO. I know something about driving these things around and I can tell you with a 4:11 and a 6 speed you will never use 1st gear..ever.
In my 3:23 geared 5-speed 1st gear is still very very low and I rarely use it.. with a low rear gear you get pretty low final rpm in a 5-speed and an almost useable 1st gear.. I have a .64 or .68 final reduction ( cant recall ) but if I have to do the speed limit I have to put it in 4th gear..
A 5-speed bolts right in no cutting required on a 4-speed car and very little on an auto.. I have a TKO 1 rated for 475 hp.. I'm throwing 800 at it all the time but with street tires I dont do alot of hooking up. I have been putting thousands of miles on  since 2004.

For a drag car I know these transmissions will fold even after they have been "tranzilla-sized". 

T-56 is cool no doubt, but wow that a lot of work to get not that much benifit over a 5 speed overdrive..

Last thing.. I have gone faster than most guys in an a-body ( non-drag strip ) . It gets very funky after 150. I'm not sure the rear tires are touching after 165. I dont think 200 can be achieved without some sort of down preasure on the rear end.. a big wing or something..

[protouring]

I have a 1964 plymouth valaint with a viper t56 transmission and yes it was alot of work but no more then my mini tubs

[Dave_n_68_383S]

got pics of the valiant ?

[protouring]

yes but how do i post pics here? I am planing to take it on the 2009 power tour so maybe I will get some ink

[CudaSRT8]

The title says "discussion" but I guess that's not accurate.   I have some questions about 5 vs. 6 speed.   Guess I'll start a new thread...

[dartcuda]

Hi can you show me some pictures of the trans tunnel and where the shifter comes up . Thanks

[rjsjea]

Hi can you show me some pictures of the trans tunnel and where the shifter comes up . Thanks

Not my car, but I got some pics from when I was thinking of doing a 6spd

[Bill_Reilly]

I'm starting this project soon on my car. I'll be taking plenty of pics...

[zpsull01]

Not my car, but I got some pics from when I was thinking of doing a 6spd

I know its not your car but is that frame work bolted in or what? It looks as if its welded and you would just think the cross member would be removable.

[CudaSRT8]

So Bill, what do you have up your sleeve?    I kinda like the way they incorporated the stock crossmember into the new crossmember.    I would think it's stout enough the way they did it.    However, I imagine you've got some HOT ideas of your own.    Can't wait to see them even though I can not understand the need or reason to go with a 6 speed over a 5 speed.   OH! Sorry Mike.   Didn't mean to tread on those waters 

[rjsjea]

Not my car, but I got some pics from when I was thinking of doing a 6spd

I know its not your car but is that frame work bolted in or what? It looks as if its welded and you would just think the cross member would be removable.

At first look I thought just the crossmember was removable, but I can see (zoomed in) that the whole thing is bolted in where the old crossmember meets the new tube support

[Bill_Reilly]

I'll keep here with pics as we do it. We're working on the rear now, and then on up to the engine/trans.

For me, I had a couple reasons for 6. First, to get the output shaft proper, the tunnel needs cutting anyway, might as well go a little further. Second, I got my fingers on a 6060, which is the best tremec built trans yet. And most importantly for me, I REALLY want to keep the mileage up - 20mpg if I'm easy on the highway is my goal. With the .5 OD, I'll be turning under 2000rpm at 70mph, which I'm hoping will be the key to breaking 20mpg. A lofty goal, but I'm giving it my best shot without giving up any HP.

[jg]

Any updates Bill?

[golferjohn]

I can tell you that over 20mpg is easily attainable...I get @ 25-27mpg with FI 5.7, tremec 5 speed w/.64 final drive and 323 posi 8.75.  Cruising @ 75mph turns just under 2k rpm

[Bill_Reilly]

Nothing yet on the trans install, but I do have all the parts gathered up now. I've been waiting on a set of valve covers for the hemi. A buddy tells me the Stage V hemi covers are about a 1/2" smaller than the cast mopar ones, which should give me enough room that I wont have to cut my inner fender, which is painted already. As soon as they get here, I can whip up the engine mounts, and then fit the trans in. I've been waiting on these valve covers for a damn month now - I wont be waiting much longer. I'll move the engine if I have to.