Six Speed Dreams

[69Nova]

I need a little help guys. Right now at home I have two diffrent 4 speed manuel transmissions, one of them has almost everything needed to go in my car. While that would be fun and easy lately I have been thinking 6 speed. So my question where should I be looking to find a good price on a T56 for my car. The plan is right now to try and sell the stuff I already have to fund this idea. Any help would be greatly apperciated.

To sum it up I want a cheap T56, any ideas?

[Ralph LoGrasso]

You can try to find a used one on LS1tech.com, or even a rebuilt one by one of the manufacturers that hang out there. There are also a few places that sell rebuilt ones with upgraded parts. G-Force is one, but they're very pricey, I'm not sure on the other manufacturers name, but Tyler over at ATS was the one who told me about them, you might send him a PM or maybe he'll see this. They were suprisingly cheap for an upgraded T56.

[69Nova]

Could you give me an idea of how much a T56 will be if I bought a rebuilt one.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

I'm not 100% sure, as I've never really priced them out, but I'd say somewhere between $900-1,500 depending on the builder, options, etc. Something like the G-force is way up there in the $4k range.

[ProdigyCustoms]

You would be better off using a TKO600. It willl bolt right in place of your Minucie, use your bellhousing and clutch, and no floor mods. I have a source right here in town can hook you up around $1700 And you will not have shipping cost if you come and get it.

The TKO is going to be stornger then a T56, and the .050 overdrive is overkill, and you won't have the hassel of all the different parts needed to bolt it up.

[69Nova]

If your right thats great. I was thinking a little higher. Now I just need to see if the stuff I alrady have could sell for enough to help start that project. I think it can but not 100% sure.

Thanks for the help.

[69Nova]

You would be better off using a TKO600. It willl bolt right in place of your Minucie, use your bellhousing and clutch, and no floor mods. I have a source right here in town can hook you up around $1700 And you will not have shipping cost if you come and get it.

The TKO is going to be stornger then a T56, and the .050 overdrive is overkill, and you won't have the hassel of all the different parts needed to bolt it up.

Hmmmm, good idea. And no floor mods sounds even better. I think I wiil try to do that. Now I just need to seel the stuff I have.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Frank speaks the truth on the TKO600. I've long changed my mind from a T56 to the TKO600 for my own car. If you've ever driven a 4th gen, you know that the 6 speed is only good for gas mileage, nothing else. The TKO600RR has a real nice 5th gear ratio for a PT car.

I'm not sure on the Novas, but on an F-body there are no floor mods for a T56, unless you use half height body mounts.

What are your rear gears in your Nova?

[69Nova]

But would my clutch and flywheel work with the TKO. Because the parts I have have less that 400 miles on them. All that stuff came from my dad because he installed a crate motor in his car so he put all brand new clutch, pressure plate and flywheel then shortly after decided to chande to a 700R4.

[69Nova]

Ralpf I'm running 3.08 but need to rebuild my diff so I would change the gears anyway.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Ahh okay, cool on the rebuilding. 3:08s wouldn't work (or wouldn't work well) with the 6 speed. With 3:42s, I'm at 1500rpms at 65mph, 2000rpms at 90. If you do go T56, go with 3:73s or 3:90s for the best all around ratio.

[69Nova]

I like the idea of the TKO right now. But yea I need posi in my car so rebuilding the diif is a must.

Any ideas on gearing if I do the TKO?

[ProdigyCustoms]

Andrew, if those are Muncies, send me a PM with the numbers on the case stamped into them. i can identify them for you. If they are good dates, you may be able to get nice money for them.

[dhardison]

Hmmmm, good idea. And no floor mods sounds even better. I think I wiil try to do that. Now I just need to seel the stuff I have.

Andrew, In order to install a TKO (500 or 600) you'll need to modify/open your tunnel. I have pics of my modifications if you're interested. I'm not sure about a T56.

Dan

[dhardison]

But would my clutch and flywheel work with the TKO. Because the parts I have have less that 400 miles on them. All that stuff came from my dad because he installed a crate motor in his car so he put all brand new clutch, pressure plate and flywheel then shortly after decided to chande to a 700R4.

Your flywheel would work (might want to get it resurfaced) but you'll have to get a new clutch and pressure plate since the TKOs use a 26 spline clutch and the Muncie's use a 10-spline.

Dan

[dhardison]

I like the idea of the TKO right now. But yea I need posi in my car so rebuilding the diif is a must.

Any ideas on gearing if I do the TKO?

I have a TKO500 (0.68 5th IIRC) with 26" tall tires and 3.42 gears. I run ~2000-~2100@70mph. I can't say enough good things about the TKO. Hands-down the BEST $$$ I've ever spent on a car. Even with the 12.5:1 BB running dual quads I averaged 15.5mpg on the Power Tour. On one tank I get 18mpg! Of you're interested you need to talk with Jeff over at ClassicChevy5Speeds. EXCELLENT customer service and he definitely knows his stuff!

Dan

[dhardison]

Andrew here's a link to help you identify what Muncies you have. Interestingly enough some of the Muncies came with 26-spline input shafts, so if you have one of those you can use your current clutch and pressure plate. I didn't realize the ever came that way.....

http://www.nastyz28.com/transid.html

[69Nova]

The two transmissions I have now I have now is a Super T-10(out of a 77 fierbird i think) and a M21 Muncie. I am hoping to sell both to fund this project.

Cutting the floor is no big deal I have to replace a small part of it anyway from rust and need to add the shifter hump anyway. I'm not worried because I have a good bodyman who will do it for cheap.

Dan-Could you send some pics to my email ([email protected]), or post them if you want.

Thanks for the info guys. I want to do this real bad because Im doing the power tour this year,

[Hurst - Jeff]

Dan is correct - you will need to cut the floor to install a TKO.
You will need a 26 spline clutch disc - you rMunice may be a 10 spline.
It will bolt to your stock bell, and use your stock linakge.
You will find any other info you may want/need about installing a TKO into you Nova here: http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/.
Here is a write up of an install into a Nova: http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/tr...vy_nova_wu.htm.
if you are looking for a complete conversion kit click here: http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/tr...vy_nova_wu.htm.

If you decide on a 6 speed contact Tyler at ATS. He is thebest when it comes to the 6 speed option. http://www.t56kit.com/site.html.

If you have any questions feel free to call.

[69Nova]

Great info. But I see that guy has a center consol, I dont and would like to not have one. Is it possible for the stock rubber floor to work or will I have to use a consol to hide some of the modifcations?