Which manual trans for track car?

[jlwdvm]

I'm getting some research done on which parts to order for my 69 firebird project. It will be driven on the street, but I'm mainly building it to take to open track days and the occasional autocross. Track days will be spent on Autobahn's 3.6 mile full course. I'll be using a 500+ hp ls, all the Ride Tech goodies, Strange rear, etc. I drive a 2013 Boss at the track currently, so I am used to that trans and gear ratio (3.73) and I rarely get out of 4th gear with a 7500rpm red line. I need some input on trans recommendation, 5/6 speed, gear ratios, clutch, etc. Any info would be great!

[Flash68]

Primarily track car? Tex/G-Force or Jerico 4 speed I'd say. I love mine.

If it was primarily street with some track duty it seems like most are happy with the T56 Magnum.

[Sieg]

Originally Posted by Flash68

If it was primarily street with some track duty it seems like most are happy with the T56 Magnum.

Close Ratio

[jlwdvm]

It will see street time, but I don't expect any cross-country trips! However, if I don't buy a trailer it is a 2.5 hour drive to the track....thus the overdrive. Thanks for the info!

[TheJDMan]

You cannot go wrong with a T56 Magnum close ratio 6 speed. If you buy from Summit you will have it in a couple of days.

[71RS/SS396]

Bowler can build you a close ratio T-56 Magnum that has all the same parts that Tremec supplies to the Corvette racing team in the Rolex series, suppose to be good for 1,200 hp and 1,000 lb/ft of torque, which is what I'm running with 3.89 gears in the rear. This trans has a 2.29 first gear which is very nice for auto-x. 5th is .85 and 6th gear is I believe .67. I was able to muster 170 mph @7,000 rpm in 5th in the standing mile at the Sandhills Open Road Challenge.

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by 71RS/SS396

Bowler can build you a close ratio T-56 Magnum that has all the same parts that Tremec supplies to the Corvette racing team in the Rolex series, suppose to be good for 1,200 hp and 1,000 lb/ft of torque, which is what I'm running with 3.89 gears in the rear. This trans has a 2.29 first gear which is very nice for auto-x. 5th is .85 and 6th gear is I believe .67. I was able to muster 170 mph @7,000 rpm in 5th in the standing mile at the Sandhills Open Road Challenge.

That sounds like the perfect trans Tim.

I love my 2.26 first gear for autoX as well.

Cost?

[71RS/SS396]

Originally Posted by Flash68

That sounds like the perfect trans Tim.

I love my 2.26 first gear for autoX as well.

Cost?

It really is Dave, if you have enough motor to pull that first gear it accelerates like a s.o.b., 80+ in 2nd gear, I can run 11.30 et's @ 125 mph.

I won't quote a price for Mark but the Rockland Tranzilla (Mark didn't build his version yet) was $ 4K because they start out with a magnum and remove and replace a bunch of parts. The upgraded gears, shafts.... etc are $1,500. I will be buying from Mark in the future because his customer service is so good, he's hands down the best vendor I've ever worked with.

[Vegas69]

TKO 600 if you like to miss shifts and cuss like a sailor.

[GregWeld]

Don't choose a dog geared tranny for the street.... I don't think you'd be happy driving that at all....

I put a Richmond 5 speed in one of my Camaros --- that was the biggest POS shifting tranny I ever had... drove like a truck. So while it is beefy --- and has fancy heim joint linkage... NO THANKS.


I have a TKO 600 5 speed in my '32 Ford.... I'm not a fan of the way that shifts either and I've had that in and out a couple times. Part of that might be that the tranny is too heavy duty for the light little car.