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View Full Version : Need unbiased opinions, should I switch to a t56 over my built 4l60e? Pro's con's?



NoMoneyZ
01-05-2012, 04:54 PM
I'm having trouble deciding on which trans to run in my current build, it's 65 Skylark sedan, h/c lt1,will eventually get a 4.11 gear out back with posi. The plans for the car are cruising and mild road course use. Honestly probably will see the 1/4m once to twice a year so I'm leaning towards the t56. I have pedals for it and clutch master cylinder. I would have to trade up my built 4l60e for the t56 and maybe a flywheel deal. I just don't know what to do. I love auto's but I think the stick would be a lot more fun and have a better time in the road course. Who went what way and why? I just need to get some opinions to help me in my decision. Thanks. -Jeremy

Scott Parkhurst
01-05-2012, 07:45 PM
Go T56! Lots of fun, plenty of strength, good fuel economy in 6th....but you will have to raise the trans tunnel a couple inches. It's worth the effort...

NoMoneyZ
01-06-2012, 04:31 PM
I've seen a few swaps done in a bodies and I'm ready for the metal work, recently started welding so this will be good practice if I do it. I just mostly want the t56 because of the mileage while cruising and better control through a road course. I have my Camaro for the strip with the stalled auto so I think I'll see what the interest is in trading my trans for a t56. Hopefully someone will come through.

LT1Nova
01-06-2012, 07:47 PM
I put a 4l60e in my car because that's what the donor car had. I've got a $600+ dollar stall in it and in hindsight I wish I would have put that money into a t56 swap. Thought about it plenty of times since even though I like to hit the dragstrip too. Given the choice again I'd got stick shift. They are more fun to drive.

NoMoneyZ
01-08-2012, 03:49 PM
That's what I'm afraid of as I already have a stalled auto car for the track. So I guess now the hard part is finding someone who wants to do a trade outright.

SLO_Z28
01-08-2012, 08:13 PM
Im a huge fan of automatics for race cars, and sticks for street use. I would stick with the automatic and instead focus on getting the car running and racing! Ive never lost a few seconds on the track due to a missed shift, or upset the attitude of the car doing heel-toe in a automatic! Threshold braking is more natural in automatic cars.

NoMoneyZ
01-18-2012, 04:24 PM
Well, I'm getting a T56 this Saturday. Coming out of a 95 Camaro. 400 bucks and I get everything to make it work. Going to keep my auto as a spare for my Camaro. I always wanted this to be a fun street car rather than track car. Will do some autocross/road course every now and then but mostly just a street car.

ROBS6T8
01-20-2012, 09:48 AM
Helluva purchase there. I need to find one that cheap! But what about the rebuild cost?

SLO_Z28
01-20-2012, 05:10 PM
Helluva purchase there. I need to find one that cheap! But what about the rebuild cost?

It used to be WAY more expensive to rebuild them than buy a new one from GM. At the dealer I almost never saw one get rebuilt.

NoMoneyZ
01-27-2012, 12:46 PM
Helluva purchase there. I need to find one that cheap! But what about the rebuild cost?

Well turns out the guy sold it out from under me and conveniently forgot to let me know, so we'll see how it goes now. As far as rebuild, I work at a GM dealer so I was going to have the trans guy go through it for me so my cost would be way cheap.

SLO_Z28
01-28-2012, 12:00 PM
Well turns out the guy sold it out from under me and conveniently forgot to let me know, so we'll see how it goes now. As far as rebuild, I work at a GM dealer so I was going to have the trans guy go through it for me so my cost would be way cheap.

Its not hard to go through those, I didnt specialize in transmission but I am a GM Master tech and ASEP grad, those are about as easy as it gets. Its the parts that add up fast. It can cast as much as $1600 if you lose one gear, and for $2050 employee price you can get a SRTA.

PT Sportwagon
02-28-2012, 05:54 PM
Since you have the auto, what about getting a paddle shift for it? You could have the best of both worlds, Like James said. You can never miss a shift in an automatic. LOL

Tim