T56 or T6060
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Yukon OK
T56 or T6060
Will a T56 or T6060 work in our C4's or do we have to stay with the ZF gear box ? I have a 90 Z51 and I like the way the T56 shifts better. And is there a good aftermarket shifter for the ZF if I have to stay with it.
Thanks for the help.
t
Thanks for the help.
t
Safety Car
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Safety Car
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From: San Diego Ca
I have had several T56s, my Camaros and my C5 Z06. I have had several ZF6s, my 93 and my 94 Corvette.
My question to you, is why?? I can't think of a single reason I would rather have a T56 over a ZF6.
My question to you, is why?? I can't think of a single reason I would rather have a T56 over a ZF6.
Le Mans Master
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From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
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St. Jude Donor '12
No "new" ZF6 available
Rebuild is over $2k + labor + shipping to zfdoc
Finding one out of a wreck is almost 2K just to use as a core!
Whats a new T56 + adapter cost? IIRC around $3k
Why wouldn't you put a different transmission in it?
Safety Car
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From: San Diego Ca
In my opinion the ZF6 is ten times the transmission the T56 is. It is getting better but still a pita to shift. My C5 ZO6 wasn't too bad but all the T56s I have had in F bodies have been horrible. Very difficult dog leg 2nd to 3rd, imprecise shifter feel (all with aftermarket shifters), etc.
I love my ZF6. Yes, it is heavy but that is the way the German's do things.
And ZFDoc rebuilt my 98 Camaro's T56 with all the best parts (I lived down the street from him at the time) and it still wouldn't shift nearly as well as the ZF6.
And so far I haven't even referenced the cost of the conversion, bell housing, console, shifter, transmission spline, etc.
Perry
I love my ZF6. Yes, it is heavy but that is the way the German's do things.
And ZFDoc rebuilt my 98 Camaro's T56 with all the best parts (I lived down the street from him at the time) and it still wouldn't shift nearly as well as the ZF6.
And so far I haven't even referenced the cost of the conversion, bell housing, console, shifter, transmission spline, etc.
Perry
Team Owner
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From: Park City Utah
Say....WHAT??? I've had 4 different T56's and there is NO WAY, that they shift better than a properly working, ZF6. NO way. In fact, there is no way that they could be claimed to shift "as good". They don't. They just do not. My T56's were two from 4th gens put into 3rd gens. Both with stock shifters and also (later) with Pro5.0 shifters. One T56 was in my '06 C6 'Vette and I missed more shifts at the drag track with that car than any I've ever owned. It even "clicked" into "no-man's land" when I tried a 2-3 shift once. (?) Last and current is our '05 CTS-V which shifts like a dump truck and has since new. Sory bro, but the ZF6 (properly functioning with a proper clutch) shifts like a hot knife through butter. The T56? No way. Synchros fight you in every gear.
T6060 is a different story.
Having "ranted", there are aftermarket shifter for the ZF6. They, LIKE ANY "short shifter" do improve shift feel, but slow shift speed since you lose leverage.
T6060 is a different story.
Having "ranted", there are aftermarket shifter for the ZF6. They, LIKE ANY "short shifter" do improve shift feel, but slow shift speed since you lose leverage.
Last edited by Tom400CFI; Jul 3, 2013 at 03:29 PM.
Safety Car
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From: San Diego Ca
Although I feel the same way, I was trying to be a bit understated in my answer to the OP.
I have hit 1st three times executing a WOT 2-3 shift with a T56. In a Corvette that would have broken the motor. In the FBody the shock simply lifts the rear end off the ground and in each case I was able to get the clutch in before it hit again. Twice on road courses and once at the drag stip. Frankly a totally POS transmission in my opinion. Now I do admit my latest iteration (sold the 2001 Z06) was in my 98 Camaro and that was the first year they made that tranny after moving their production to Mexico, so that may have something to do with it.
Perry
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Racer
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From: Tucson/Santa Paula AZ/CA
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
Have you changed the fluid in your ZF6? It can make a HUGE difference if the original owner neglected it.
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From: Rolla Missouri
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St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Quite a few using Amsoil. Forum member C66 Racing is a distributor.
http://www.c66racing-synthetics.com/...tins/MTFPB.htm
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Tucson/Santa Paula AZ/CA
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
Get 3 Quarts of the Amsoil 5W30 MTF mentioned above. It Works! The GM spec oil is no longer available, last I checked. The Amsoil will make it feel like a whole new transmission if it still has the factory fill in it. I could NOT believe the improvement in shifting when I did mine at 30K miles. Go to http://www.zfdoc.com/ to learn a lot about that ZF6.
Last edited by QZRBLU; Jul 4, 2013 at 06:42 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Chandler Arizona
Bill (ZFDoc) uses castrol or BMW transmission fluids. He also showed me the internals between the t56 and ZF years ago, and their was no comparison. Hands down, the ZF is far more robust with better quality internals. He told me the modern c6z06 t6060 is "now" reflecting the hardware equivalent to the ZF.
He also offers his own short-shifter, as does B&M and Hurst. I've ran all three, currently have the Hurst, and love it.
He also offers his own short-shifter, as does B&M and Hurst. I've ran all three, currently have the Hurst, and love it.
Team Owner
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Most trans complaints are from having old worn trannies in the first place maybe hydraulics that are going or cant drive period.
Have had both,when in good shape they both shift like butter
ZF has the T56 on engineering and strength though.
Have had both,when in good shape they both shift like butter
ZF has the T56 on engineering and strength though.
Team Owner
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From: Park City Utah
Huh. Not in my experience. My C6 was bought brand new. Our V had 28k on it when we bought it, and the first T56 swap int a 3rd gen I did, the trans had 1200 miles on it. Those are low miles trans's (and clutches, etc). None shifted like the ZF. The C6 and the Caddy were/are the worst by far. (for me)