T56 Magnum Shifters
 

I have a T56 Magnum in my 69 Camaro. The stock shifter isn't horrible but I feel like I might be a little more confident if the shifter would center harder than it does so that when I shift hard from second to 3rd I'd feel a bit more confident.

Are the aftermarket shifters like the black jack or white lightning much better when it comes to centering and providing a short throw?

Thanks

If it's not leaking yet, don't change it until Bowler comes out with their shifter.

do you have any info on the one that they are working on?

Supposed to be awesome and not leak. That's all I know.

Donny you're the best ...love the answer lol "be awesome and not leak" lol well s*** im sold

:lmao: What more could you want from a shifter?

Looks ...price ....quality or is that all included in "awesome"

Bah, details.

The stock Magnum shifter works fine, I think. The inability to keep the trans fluid inside the trans is what makes me crazy.

Bonus points to anyone that comes up with a shifter that doesn't leak _and_ has a manual reverse lock out.

The problem I had was when running the shifter in the front position over the top of the gear. Without a baffle over that gear sealing will be a challenge.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...cxPpSsr-XL.jpg

I altered my '69 Camaro stock console to use the rear mount position and that neutralized the leak problems. With my NGR quick release steering hub and the rear shifter position the relationship is ideal for me.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...czRXsgR-XL.jpg

The new generation of Hurst Blackjack shifters utilize this seal which I work with them on as the first shifter leaked like a sieve when mounted in the forward position.

Here's the new shifter seal:
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...XfNN9TC-XL.jpg

Regarding the shifter itself, I haven't driven a car with better gate/throw shifter. Especially taking into account the length of the shift lever.

I also had an early version of the White Lightning and it leaked worse than the Hurst. It felt similar to the Hurst but I'd still give the Hurst the edge.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...Lb5cBf3-XL.jpg

Do the Hurst and Whilte lightning actually shorten the throw much over the factory tremec shifter? Do they center harder with tighter springs or is it about the same?

Pretty bad these companies have to keep redesigning their shifter because they keep leaking. Figure it out BEFORE you put a product to market.

I have two shifters ...im lost on how damn hard would it be to mill a small relief or groove around the perimeter to maintain either a gasket or silicone

Throw is shorter. Reasonably firm spring tension.

The first Hurst was acceptable in the OEM (Tremec) shifter location.

Hurst was great to work with, they could have discontinued the product, personally I'm glad they didn't.

How many auto recalls has there been in the last 5 years? :D

There's so many factors that come into play, getting optimal mechanical function and tactile feel is a very fine line.

The optional forward shifter position over that gear that's slinging ATF with serious velocity really dictates the need for a mechanical baffle in the transmission IMO.

I'm glad I decided to build a shifter access plate as the 3 shifter changes I made would have required R&R of the trans.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...-9qq3n86-L.jpg

It doesn't leak there. It's the boot under the shifter that gets hard, cracks, and then it leaks through the shifter mechanism. Tremec will warranty at least one.

Oh....i wondered because when I pulled mine apart there looked to be a spot that would cause a leak ....someone was being cheap with the silicone

I started a thread a few years ago on this topic looking for ideas, and there was some good information posted in it at the time (should be easy to find with my username). Funny, because I just looked at it a couple of weeks ago.

I just purchased a new version of the White Lightning. Apparently it's on its 5th iteration now. I haven't installed it yet, because it's going to be harder to get to the bolts than I realized. There is a seal on the unit which looks like it should work ok. I get to use the rear location so it's not right over the gears that throw the oil.

One seemingly nice feature of this unit is that there are 2 adjustments on top of the tower which you can use to change the tension on the springs which force the centering of the shifter from the 1-2 to the 3-4 and from the 5-6 to the 3-4 gates.

I've been pretty happy with the stock Tremec shifter to be honest, but when I was watching an in car video from my day at COTA, I realized that my shifter throws were a lot longer than I thought. That got me started on the idea of an update, and thus rereading my old post, and finally the purchase. I really think that if the leak problems are solved (won't know until I try it) that either the Hurst or White Lightning would be nice units with a more crisp feel than the Tremec, but again, I've been pretty happy with the Tremec...

Good luck!

I have been running the T56 Magnum and selling them for about 3-4 years now. The first version that Red's made leaked like crazy and I was replacing seals truly every other week. They would get hard and crack like dontlifttoshift stated.

I've found that also with the stock T56 Magnum shifter over time it will too get hard and crack the lower internal seal. They simply warranty out the shifter which puts the car down for a bit. It shifts actually pretty good for a stocks shifter. I'd say a little better than the Hurst shifter for the 4th gen Camaro SS.

The Sikky shifter that positions it about 3.75" further back from the rear most position leaked like crazy on its first version also. Being $500 you would expect more.

I've been selling the White Lightning setback shifters as of Q2 2016 and my customers report that it is better than the Red's shifter, a modified stocker, with shorter crisper throws. No leaks yet.... I'll be putting one in my own RX-7 with setback shifter when the 441ci motor is up and running.

Any updates on a non leaking shifter white lightning or other? I called Bowler and they had no idea what I was talking about

I am subscribing to this one. Seems like the leaky shifter thing has been going on for years now. I have the stock Tremec in the front position for now. As slow as I work maybe someone will actually have a good design when I am ready to drive! People keep mentioning baffles for the front position. Does anyone have a photo of a baffle design that works ?

Thanks!

Really? I have installed one and after a few months it is still leak free. I have another one in a box to go on my Camaro.

It would be awesome if you posted up the part number and a quick photo of the internal seal.

Scott

Part number 650000 on the box.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Electroni...5w7qJck-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Electroni...H2xDHk9-XL.jpg


There is no "seal"..... Apparently this is a OEM design for Viper T56s that has been adapted to the T56 Magnum.

Thanks I appreciate the time it took to do that.

Scott

Awesome, Thanks Donny!

Hey Donny any comment on the performance of that bowler shifter?
Thanks Again, Dave

You mean other than doesn't leak?

Feels good to me. I'm not big on short throws and the Bowler shifter doesn't feel significantly faster than the stock one. It does feel more refined though....not as clunky as the stock shifter.

Refined is a good thing, I'm giving them a call

Shifter
 

Donny, how much is Bowler asking for these ?
Thanks
Steve

They told me $350, but give them a call

I asked them and they sent me a link

https://www.bowlertransmissions.com/...e-replacement/

William

So this is not for camaro basd on position?

Don't know. Looks like it would.

The description is weird.

That part number 650000 is a direct replacement for the red oem shift tower that ships on a Magnum T56.

Yea i sent the pic above w/ part number on the box and stated part number and that's the link they sent. I think the description isn't updated likely from the "template" they used when putting that page together.

I’m looking for a short throw shifter also was looking into the white lightning but was also wondering if anyone has tried the mal wood units?

Looks good! How many more inches back does the shifter come through the tunnel?

Back from the dead with some $0.02 worth....

I'm on the second set of lower seals (hence second shifter since it is not replaceable) for the T56 Magnum shifter after having made a simple modification that helped a bunch to stop leakage.

The lower seal cracked like every other one I've seen after having been run for a while. However, upon inspection of the new parts the boot is way over stretched to fit on the shifter shaft. This excessive hoop stress in the boot caused it to fail prematurely. The fix? Machine the shifter shaft to accept the boot bore with a more reasonable fit.

https://i.hmjimg.com/images/2020/04/...ft-reduced.jpg

After three years the lower boot is still in good shape but a small amount of liquid still ended up above the lower boot but not leaking out of the top boot. With the shifter being rear mounted / not above the gear, I'm attributing this to a possible overpressure condition within the gearcase. So, two things to do: 1) Apply sealant to the bore of the boot and a small bead around the lower edge of the seal-to-shaft interface, and 2) Figure out how best to monitor the gearcase pressure. The as-supplied vent is not kinked, restricted, etc. A better venting system may be needed if on-track pressures are found to rise above atmospheric.

Has anyone tried the Bowler shifter with the Viper lower section?

Anyone have a T56 shifter that bends back 2 to 3 inches?

Cheapest way to accomplish more setback:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...hoCvzcQAvD_BwE

For what it's worth, I just put the Bowler in my car and seems very nice to drive. Haven't put many miles but will revert back on leaky-ness, rattly-ness and shift quality.

I'm waiting for Hurst Backjack arrive, so we'll have a mix bag of shifter reviews shortly.

I didn't need the shifter stick or knob in the '68 Camaro kit, so called Hurst and they were nice enough to throw in the offset adapter so I could save nearly $200 off the kit price:

Item Qty Price Subtotal Est. Available
BLACKJACK SHIFTER TREMEC MAGNUM 6 SPEED
Part # 3917309 1 $238.95

OFFSET STICK WELD ASSY, T-56 MAGNUM 68-6
Part # 2397317 1 $0.00