Which Manual Trans should I run?

[DFRESH]

So the motor that's going in my car is going to have about 530 HP or so--maybe 475 ft pds---however, a Pro Charger or Whipple will find it's way onto the motor at some point--so let's say a max of 700HP and 650 ft pds.

I've been following the Kiesler thread--looking at the 600. What would you boys/girls/Todd suggest? After doing the track day, I am thinking Manual trans now--but which way to go and why that trans? Need something that will take the abuse, but drive home afterwards and take long trips with no sweat---like Power Tour, One Lap, etc. Hydraulic I assume --regardless--

Thanks for any input

Doug

[Jr]

Didn't you just add a GV unit to your Camaro?

[Mkelcy]

So the motor that's going in my car is going to have about 530 HP or so--maybe 475 ft pds---however, a Pro Charger or Whipple will find it's way onto the motor at some point--so let's say a max of 700HP and 650 ft pds.

I've been following the Kiesler thread--looking at the 600. What would you boys/girls/Todd suggest? After doing the track day, I am thinking Manual trans now--but which way to go and why that trans? Need something that will take the abuse, but drive home afterwards and take long trips with no sweat---like Power Tour, One Lap, etc. Hydraulic I assume --regardless--

Thanks for any input

Doug

What engine - SBC, BBC LSx?

[Flash68]

What engine - SBC, BBC LSx?

He's got an LS3 sitting in the garage.

I'm just gonna cut copy my reply from PT since I spend more time over here anyway. :D

Here are my cliff notes Doug. Take them for what their worth. Very little. LOL

RS600 -- looks to have promise, good price point, but not much proven real world experience yet especially very little track abuse (if any). Shipping seems to be taking much longer than what people have been quoted from what I can tell. Replacing the TKO600 as Keisler's flagship trans. Should fit your tunnel with minimal to zero modification required.

TKO600 -- thousands of units out there, many without a hitch, but then many complain of the stock units suffering from various issues in medium- to heavy-duty usage, most notably sluggish/gooey shifting (usually 2-3 shift) and/or difficulty shifting at 6500+ rpm (acknowledged by Keisler themselves). For about $500 last I checked (December 2010) Liberty Gears will perform various internal upgrades that are supposed to eliminate all of these problems and should be good to go. American Powertrain also makes a TKO 600 Extreme that is supposedly good for 1000 hp and has these similar treatments. Should fit your tunnel with minimal to zero modification required.

T56 Magnum -- looks to be the most popular choice for LS conversions these days from what I can tell. Similar in price to TKO and supposedly shifts very well. Rated to 700 ft lbs. Downside for your car is that the trans tunnel will need some modifying.


This is just off the top of my head after really thinking this hard for the past year too. For my motor I would go Liberty prepped TKO 600 if I needed a new trans trmw. If I had your LS3 going in soon, I'd probably go T56 magnum.

[ht turbo monaro]

How about zr1 2010 corvette 6 speed rated over 700hp

[Mkelcy]

He's got an LS3 sitting in the garage.

I'm just gonna cut copy my reply from PT since I spend more time over here anyway. :D

Here are my cliff notes Doug. Take them for what their worth. Very little. LOL

RS600 -- looks to have promise, good price point, but not much proven real world experience yet especially very little track abuse (if any). Shipping seems to be taking much longer than what people have been quoted from what I can tell. Replacing the TKO600 as Keisler's flagship trans. Should fit your tunnel with minimal to zero modification required.

TKO600 -- thousands of units out there, many without a hitch, but then many complain of the stock units suffering from various issues in medium- to heavy-duty usage, most notably sluggish/gooey shifting (usually 2-3 shift) and/or difficulty shifting at 6500+ rpm (acknowledged by Keisler themselves). For about $500 last I checked (December 2010) Liberty Gears will perform various internal upgrades that are supposed to eliminate all of these problems and should be good to go. American Powertrain also makes a TKO 600 Extreme that is supposedly good for 1000 hp and has these similar treatments. Should fit your tunnel with minimal to zero modification required.

T56 Magnum -- looks to be the most popular choice for LS conversions these days from what I can tell. Similar in price to TKO and supposedly shifts very well. Rated to 700 ft lbs. Downside for your car is that the trans tunnel will need some modifying.


This is just off the top of my head after really thinking this hard for the past year too. For my motor I would go Liberty prepped TKO 600 if I needed a new trans trmw. If I had your LS3 going in soon, I'd probably go T56 magnum.

Good summary. If Doug's using full height body bushings, the only trans tunnel modification should be relocating the shifter access hole, if he has one in the car now.

[Vegas69]

Flash has it covered pretty damn well. Since you don't have any manual parts, you aren't painted into a box like some of us.

Your car is slammed lower than pretty much anybody. You could definitely use the tunnel clearance to decrease driveline angles. I'd go 56 mag and cut if you have to. It does have the highest torque capacity and modern technology. I also like the slightly taller first gear along with the 2nd overdrive. Do you really need two overdrives? Not really, but it would allow you to drop the rpm back down into the 2000-2500 rpm from 90-110. You can run the LS motors at pretty low rpm in high gear as well. I get away with down to 1700-1800. I bet you can do 1500 easy.

If you don't want to slice and dice to get reasonable working angles, a modded 600 or rs600 is a better bet. You can use a mechanical clutch with any of the three now.(Different Bellhousings) You'll also have more chances of picking up some deals or the latter...:D I hate to recommend a modded 600 without experiencing one first hand. My finger is still itchy to pull the trigger, I'm just not that excited about pulling the trans. The car is working so good right not. I'll likely go to an aluminum flywheel at the same time.

[Tom.A]

I would vote for the T56 Magnum. I have a TKO600 behind my LS3 and only about 50 miles driven so far. I first had some issues shifting but it was a loose shifter lever that was binding. I am not past the 500 mile break in point yet but I already feel like the shifting is better. I think shifting gears is going to be fun with either but I just saying if I was to do it over I would spend the extra money and get the T56. I would also suggest you call Hurst Driveline for some more info :thumbsup:

[Rybar]

If I were you knowing you are running an LS3 then T56 Magnum would be my vote.

[WicKeD_SS]

Im running a T56 Magnum in my BBC Camaro. Took it for a test drive yesterday and love the shifting. Smooth and crisp! long way to 500 mile brake in to do hard shifting but love it so far!

[DFRESH]

Didn't you just add a GV unit to your Camaro?


Yes---but now, since both motor and trans are going to come out--and the new LS3 is going to go in, I have a chance to maybe make a change now--cause after it goes back in, I'm not going to swap out after that. The Gear Vendor and the Turbo 400 will go up for sale as a unit here in the next couple of weeks---if no takers, then back into the car it goes with the LS setup.

:wow:

DFRESH

[DFRESH]

Good summary. If Doug's using full height body bushings, the only trans tunnel modification should be relocating the shifter access hole, if he has one in the car now.


So Mike, of course mine has the half inch high body mounts in it---part of why it sits as low as it does. I seem to remember Todd having some drama on Payback regarding this very issue--have you had experience in this area also?

Doug

[DFRESH]

So, where do I go for the T56 Magnum Trans? Suggestions?

[Vegas69]

1/2 height bushings and T56=Cut off wheel :lol:

[DFRESH]

1/2 height bushings and T56=Cut off wheel :lol:


Nice---the whole tunnel or only half---

Me and my goal of one mod at a time---lol

I'm going to send the whole thing to you---you can finally make money working on a 69 Camaro---:lol:

[gearheadgarage]

Just put a pumped LS6 injected motor in a '69 Camaro- customer decided not to run his brand new T56 Magnum because he has too much custom work done & doesn't want to re-hash. If he has it, and accessories, you might get a hell of a deal.....plus he is in So-Cal.
Let me know if you're interested, I'll try to hook you up!

[Mkelcy]

So Mike, of course mine has the half inch high body mounts in it---part of why it sits as low as it does. I seem to remember Todd having some drama on Payback regarding this very issue--have you had experience in this area also?

Doug

Only from looking at the tight fit of a T56 in my '68 with full height body bushings.

[Flash68]

So, where do I go for the T56 Magnum Trans? Suggestions?

Well we all have to pay at or near market price, but you will find one at the Lake Forest swap meet soon for probably about $350. :D

[DFRESH]

Well we all have to pay at or near market price, but you will find one at the Lake Forest swap meet soon for probably about $350. :D

LOL Dave---so true---LOL

[DFRESH]

Just put a pumped LS6 injected motor in a '69 Camaro- customer decided not to run his brand new T56 Magnum because he has too much custom work done & doesn't want to re-hash. If he has it, and accessories, you might get a hell of a deal.....plus he is in So-Cal.
Let me know if you're interested, I'll try to hook you up!


Yep---set it up brother--and thank you!

Doug

[Matt@BOS]

So you will be ready to head up to Peasanton in June, right? :unibrow:

My two cents. If you have the choice, pick up the 2.66 first and .63 overdrive version. I picked up a t56 magnum a couple of days ago for a number of reasons and I'm looking forward to the different 6th gear. Even with an LS engine, the .50 6th gear sucked. 5th revs on the high side for freeway driving, so I usually leave my car in 6th, but it is pretty useless under 75 mph. I don't even hit 2000 rpm until I'm going over 80, and I have 3.73 gears. I can only imagine what it would be like with your tall tire out back. 3.90 or 4.10s might work better but you'd probably be shifting out of first as soon as you got rolling.

Matt

[DFRESH]

So you will be ready to head up to Peasanton in June, right? :unibrow:

My two cents. If you have the choice, pick up the 2.66 first and .63 overdrive version. I picked up a t56 magnum a couple of days ago for a number of reasons and I'm looking forward to the different 6th gear. Even with an LS engine, the .50 6th gear sucked. 5th revs on the high side for freeway driving, so I usually leave my car in 6th, but it is pretty useless under 75 mph. I don't even hit 2000 rpm until I'm going over 80, and I have 3.73 gears. I can only imagine what it would be like with your tall tire out back. 3.90 or 4.10s might work better but you'd probably be shifting out of first as soon as you got rolling.

Matt

It ain't looking good Matt---and that blows since I have looked forward to this trip more than anyother based upon how great it was last year. Good tip on the gear and the tire setup---I'm sure you are right.

Doug

[Matt@BOS]

Say it ain't so Doug!

If you still want to go up there you're welcome to ride shotgun on the autocross, and I'm guessing Jon might have space for you in the Lincoln on the cruise up.

Matt