Silver Sport Transmissions or American Powertrain?

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Yes, I'm aware this forum is sponsored by American Powertrain, but I have to ask.


-This is the biggest single purchase of my project-




I am doing a 5.7L Hemi conversion to a 1972 Barracuda. With the conversion I am changing the 904 automatic to a Tremec T56 Magnum 6-speed as well.

I have quotes from both American Powertrain and Silver Sport Transmissions and one has a few more items than the other, but in general they are about equal in pricing. $5,700 from AP and $6,400 from SST. I will need to add pedals, a clutch, shift boot/trim ring to make the AP equal to the SST...which makes the two get pretty close in price.


So who have you used and who would you use again? I'm about a month out on placing the order and would like to get this time on the way! At the moment the SST would win out just from a convenience of placing fewer orders to get the parts I ultimately need.

[mrennie]

I bought my T56 Magnum from Hurst Driveline Conversions. Tech support was very helpful which was a factor in my decision.

[dontlifttoshift]

I've never dealt with AP but just had a very smooth transaction with SST. Order went in and ONE day later had a tracking number for a _complete_ order. That had never happened before with special.

[broken1234]

Bowler...

[TheJDMan]

I purchased my T56 Magnum from American Powertrain and I have to say their tech support was less than helpful. If I could do it over again I would buy from anyone but AP.

[bonebuster29]

I ordered my T56 mag with the Elite kit with all the added upgrades from www.hurst-drivelines.com
Extremely helpful with every step and they got it to me right away! Definitely would recommend them to anyone

[70 rs]

I just ordered a t56 from American powertrain and now I'm a lil nervous and thinking bout canceling my order should of checked them out first.

[70 rs]

Being that most people on this site will not give a review if it's bad because ap is a site sponsor is crazy,SMDH

[Schwartz Performance]

Were an AP and Tremec dealer, sure there has been small issues with AP but in my experience they've gotten them resolved quick. Gray, the owner, will get anything worked out if there's a problem.
We have a good relationship with them, and I've sold numerous kits to people all over the world as well as built dozens of cars with their stuff.
70 RS- don't worry about it!

-Dale

[mmosley]

Were an AP and Tremec dealer, sure there has been small issues with AP but in my experience they've gotten them resolved quick. Gray, the owner, will get anything worked out if there's a problem.
We have a good relationship with them, and I've sold numerous kits to people all over the world as well as built dozens of cars with their stuff.
70 RS- don't worry about it!

-Dale

I'll second that - at least in my case. They were very helpful with my "oddball" combination where other dealers kind of told me I was on my own. Or, like when I call some places and tell them I have a Mopar and I get the awkward few moments of silence where they are trying to decide if it would be easier to just go ahead and hang up.

I needed a shifter handle that they forgot to include in my order, they sent me one no charge. This past week I am finally installing it, tech support has answered within a few rings both times I called. First question was just verifying something that was not spelled out in the instructions - no problem. Second time I called was yesterday, just before closing, they answered and stayed on the phone with me for a while. My question involved the TOB positioning, with all ten shims it was still 0.250" too far away. Turns out my engine / flywheel / clutch / bellhousing stack up requires a 0.500" spacer behind the "bearing retainer". The spacer will ship to me Monday - no charge again. I'm sure someone would say they should have known, so forth and so on. Do you know anyone else running a big block Mopar with the GM T-56 Magnum, Quicktime "Viper" bell housing, and the twin disk clutch? I don't, so I'm sure the number sold by any one dealer is fairly low. For me it is part of the whole deal with running the old Mopars - I am actually happy because they are willing to help and want me to be a happy customer.

So, all said, my experience has been positive. Now, that said - the instructions for the clutch, master, and etcetera could have been much better - a few pictures or diagrams would have gone a long way. That is my biggest "complaint", not that some other vendor would have been any better.

By the way - if it matters to you - Gray is a Mopar guy... they are finishing up his '66 Coronet 528ci Big Block, 6 pack EFI, T-56 build now with the target of running Power Tour this year.

[lxss350]

Were an AP and Tremec dealer, sure there has been small issues with AP but in my experience they've gotten them resolved quick. Gray, the owner, will get anything worked out if there's a problem.
We have a good relationship with them, and I've sold numerous kits to people all over the world as well as built dozens of cars with their stuff.
70 RS- don't worry about it!

-Dale

Agreed. I dealt with Gray twice buying two magnums over the past two years and AP did everything right and delivered as promised. Even when he was sick he still answered my emails and sorted out what I needed inc one of their clutch kits and flywheel for the LS9. I had zero issues and will use them again if I am silly enough to start yet another build.

[70 rs]

I went with ap, recived trans two weeks after ordering so far so good.thanks guys for helping me out.

[72BBSwinger]

I'll second that - at least in my case. They were very helpful with my "oddball" combination where other dealers kind of told me I was on my own. Or, like when I call some places and tell them I have a Mopar and I get the awkward few moments of silence where they are trying to decide if it would be easier to just go ahead and hang up.

I needed a shifter handle that they forgot to include in my order, they sent me one no charge. This past week I am finally installing it, tech support has answered within a few rings both times I called. First question was just verifying something that was not spelled out in the instructions - no problem. Second time I called was yesterday, just before closing, they answered and stayed on the phone with me for a while. My question involved the TOB positioning, with all ten shims it was still 0.250" too far away. Turns out my engine / flywheel / clutch / bellhousing stack up requires a 0.500" spacer behind the "bearing retainer". The spacer will ship to me Monday - no charge again. I'm sure someone would say they should have known, so forth and so on. Do you know anyone else running a big block Mopar with the GM T-56 Magnum, Quicktime "Viper" bell housing, and the twin disk clutch? I don't, so I'm sure the number sold by any one dealer is fairly low. For me it is part of the whole deal with running the old Mopars - I am actually happy because they are willing to help and want me to be a happy customer.

So, all said, my experience has been positive. Now, that said - the instructions for the clutch, master, and etcetera could have been much better - a few pictures or diagrams would have gone a long way. That is my biggest "complaint", not that some other vendor would have been any better.

By the way - if it matters to you - Gray is a Mopar guy... they are finishing up his '66 Coronet 528ci Big Block, 6 pack EFI, T-56 build now with the target of running Power Tour this year.

That .500 has become pretty much the gold standard in shim thickness on the Mopars. I have the same thickness spacer now with the Gen III RXT combo as I used with the BB Spec single disc setup. And Riddler is using my old PP behind his Gen III and he also is going with .500.

[chpr1972]

I know you already have ordered you transmission. When deciding where to order yours ask about the warranty. AP told me their warranty is 2 years but summit racing is only 6 month. I do not know if it is true but it is something to check just incase.

[yellow1098Greg]

How is buying these T56 kits better than buying a used T56 of craigslist for 900$....seems like a huge savings and I know the rest of that parts will cost money but it still seems like youd come out way ahead on price.

[American Powertrain]

I know you already have ordered you transmission. When deciding where to order yours ask about the warranty. AP told me their warranty is 2 years but summit racing is only 6 month. I do not know if it is true but it is something to check just incase.

Yep we warranty our transmissions and kits for two years after installation. So once you order your drive shaft. Which is usually the final step after installing we start the warranty. So you can keep your kit on a shelf for a year (like most of us do on a project sometimes!) and your still good to go!

[American Powertrain]

How is buying these T56 kits better than buying a used T56 of craigslist for 900$....seems like a huge savings and I know the rest of that parts will cost money but it still seems like youd come out way ahead on price.

There are many many differences in a used T56 and TREMEC Magnum new out of the box. First off a used T56 only has one shift position the Magnum gives you multiple shifter locations so getting your shifter to come out in the right spot is much easier. Countless countless times customers call us with a used T56 only to find out they cant get the shifter position to fit and they usually wind up selling their used box on ebay and order a Magnum. Magnum also as two speedo options, mechanical and electric. The biggest factor is the Magnum is based on the Viper 6060 program. It looks like a T56 but its a completely different transmission inside. Double cone and upgraded syncros, stronger gear sets, more choice of gear ratios. As stock T56 is good for about 450hp max. A magnum is good for up to 700 ftlbs out of the box and upgradable to 1000 ftlbs with the right parts. And of course you get a two year warranty....

[yellow1098Greg]

Thank you! I have been wondering the answer to this question for awhile...makes sense

[Supervette]

Thank you! I have been wondering the answer to this question for awhile...makes sense

had issues with them. Gray will take care of them though.

[JustJohn]

I ordered my Tremec kit from AP and overall it was a good experience.

Years ago ordered an XJ-S kit from Kiesler Automotive. Good engineering, wish I could find and beat him though.