T56 magnum swap???
07-10-2019, 01:49 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
T56 magnum swap???
Has anyone done a T56 magnum swap in an early C4?
I'm planning to do a LS2/T56 swap in my 88' I currently have an LS2 and Fbody T56 but I'm pondering selling the T56 for a Magum, but I am not sure about shifter placement and if I can use my stock driveshaft I know the regular T56 swap has been done in C4's many times and shifter placement is workable and stock drive shaft can be reused (if you have a D44 like me) but I haven't heard of a Magnum swap.
Also since someone will suggest it I'm not interested in a ZF6 swap.
I'm planning to do a LS2/T56 swap in my 88' I currently have an LS2 and Fbody T56 but I'm pondering selling the T56 for a Magum, but I am not sure about shifter placement and if I can use my stock driveshaft I know the regular T56 swap has been done in C4's many times and shifter placement is workable and stock drive shaft can be reused (if you have a D44 like me) but I haven't heard of a Magnum swap.
Also since someone will suggest it I'm not interested in a ZF6 swap.
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dizwiz24 (10-14-2019)
07-10-2019, 02:04 PM
#2
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St. Jude Donor '05
Magnum is supposed to be stronger...many threads in the C3 tech section.
You can also request the Z06 gearing which Id recommend. I have the .50 which is damn near unusable less Im going 80+
You can also request the Z06 gearing which Id recommend. I have the .50 which is damn near unusable less Im going 80+
Last edited by cv67; 07-10-2019 at 02:05 PM.
07-10-2019, 02:11 PM
#3
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Yes, the magnum is stronger and has better high RPM shifting capability (both trans are pretty strong though).... Also since it can be purchased with wide ratio gearing (2.97 1st gear and .63 6th gear) I could proabbly keep my rear gears for now. The 2.66 1st in the regular T56 is a bit tall for my 3.07 rear and the .50 6th would be useless without a rear gear swap... However if the shifter location in the magnum is way off and driveshaft has to be modded and C beam mounting is difficult than I may stick with my Fbody T56 and just do some 4.10 rear gears, although I am a tap worried about critical driveshaft speed with that potential setup...
Last edited by DMITTZ; 07-10-2019 at 02:14 PM.
07-10-2019, 06:04 PM
#5
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St. Jude Donor '05
Yes, the magnum is stronger and has better high RPM shifting capability (both trans are pretty strong though).... Also since it can be purchased with wide ratio gearing (2.97 1st gear and .63 6th gear) I could proabbly keep my rear gears for now. The 2.66 1st in the regular T56 is a bit tall for my 3.07 rear and the .50 6th would be useless without a rear gear swap... However if the shifter location in the magnum is way off and driveshaft has to be modded and C beam mounting is difficult than I may stick with my Fbody T56 and just do some 4.10 rear gears, although I am a tap worried about critical driveshaft speed with that potential setup...
What a fool I was...no scattershield or safety hoop. At least i know its broke in!
Fwiw rings run in around 20 mi this was taken around 70 mi
Last edited by cv67; 07-10-2019 at 07:56 PM.
07-10-2019, 06:23 PM
#6
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
[QUOTE=cuisinartvette;1599732731]dont be...26 in tire 4.11 6800 in 4th (almost 150) no vibes except for the lousy afermarket rims I had. a body 3" (long) steel driveshaft.
What a fool I was...no scattershield or safety hoop. At least i know its broke in!
Thanks for the info, that makes me feel a little better about the setup as far as critical driveshaft speed. I don't see myself doing a lot of high speed runs, probably just drag racing perhaps, but it I would still like the option to get up to 150-160MPH should I decide to race somewhere. Sounds like I should still be ok
Having said that, by the time I do the gear swap in the rear the magnum may not all that much more expensive, assuming the driveshaft length is ok (like with a regular T56), the shifter location in workable (like a regular T56) and making a C-beam adapter isn't to hard. (adapters available for regular T56). If anyone knows about these 3 issues please let me know
What a fool I was...no scattershield or safety hoop. At least i know its broke in!
Thanks for the info, that makes me feel a little better about the setup as far as critical driveshaft speed. I don't see myself doing a lot of high speed runs, probably just drag racing perhaps, but it I would still like the option to get up to 150-160MPH should I decide to race somewhere. Sounds like I should still be ok
Having said that, by the time I do the gear swap in the rear the magnum may not all that much more expensive, assuming the driveshaft length is ok (like with a regular T56), the shifter location in workable (like a regular T56) and making a C-beam adapter isn't to hard. (adapters available for regular T56). If anyone knows about these 3 issues please let me know
07-10-2019, 06:30 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Noted, if I should decide to go the magnum route I will let you know before listing my T56 for sale publicly.
It's a 50,000 Mile T56 out of a 94' Camaro. I have the driveshaft ,clutch master and bellhousing. I also have a Rockland gear kit to convert the Trans to LS1 spec (new in box), LS1 bellhousing, ARP bolts and new in box LS1 style clutch and pressure plate. The trans also has a decent B&M shifter. I do live in Canada so shipping/customs may add some cost if your in the USA.
Its a pretty nice setup, just not sure if the magnum makes more sense since I wouldn't have to change my rear gears, decisions, decisions...
It's a 50,000 Mile T56 out of a 94' Camaro. I have the driveshaft ,clutch master and bellhousing. I also have a Rockland gear kit to convert the Trans to LS1 spec (new in box), LS1 bellhousing, ARP bolts and new in box LS1 style clutch and pressure plate. The trans also has a decent B&M shifter. I do live in Canada so shipping/customs may add some cost if your in the USA.
Its a pretty nice setup, just not sure if the magnum makes more sense since I wouldn't have to change my rear gears, decisions, decisions...
07-10-2019, 07:04 PM
#8
Noted, if I should decide to go the magnum route I will let you know before listing my T56 for sale publicly.
It's a 50,000 Mile T56 out of a 94' Camaro. I have the driveshaft ,clutch master and bellhousing. I also have a Rockland gear kit to convert the Trans to LS1 spec (new in box), LS1 bellhousing, ARP bolts and new in box LS1 style clutch and pressure plate. The trans also has a decent B&M shifter. I do live in Canada so shipping/customs may add some cost if your in the USA.
Its a pretty nice setup, just not sure if the magnum makes more sense since I wouldn't have to change my rear gears, decisions, decisions...
It's a 50,000 Mile T56 out of a 94' Camaro. I have the driveshaft ,clutch master and bellhousing. I also have a Rockland gear kit to convert the Trans to LS1 spec (new in box), LS1 bellhousing, ARP bolts and new in box LS1 style clutch and pressure plate. The trans also has a decent B&M shifter. I do live in Canada so shipping/customs may add some cost if your in the USA.
Its a pretty nice setup, just not sure if the magnum makes more sense since I wouldn't have to change my rear gears, decisions, decisions...
07-10-2019, 07:07 PM
#9
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
I already have the kit to convert it in hand so no money required for me but yes normally it is a fairly pricey kit. Its just a matter of swapping the input shaft, front plate and bellhousing, then of course all the clutch related stuff too.l. which I also have. I have a friend (who is a mechanic) who says he can do it for me in an afternoon, he says its pretty strait forward.
Last edited by DMITTZ; 07-10-2019 at 07:09 PM.
07-10-2019, 07:19 PM
#10
I have a 4+3 Trans right now.
I already have the kit to convert it in hand so no money required for me but yes normally it is a fairly pricey kit. Its just a matter of swapping the input shaft, front plate and bellhousing, then of course all the clutch related stuff too.l. which I also have. I have a friend (who is a mechanic) who says he can do it for me in an afternoon, he says its pretty strait forward.
I already have the kit to convert it in hand so no money required for me but yes normally it is a fairly pricey kit. Its just a matter of swapping the input shaft, front plate and bellhousing, then of course all the clutch related stuff too.l. which I also have. I have a friend (who is a mechanic) who says he can do it for me in an afternoon, he says its pretty strait forward.
07-10-2019, 07:29 PM
#11
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
I'm going to drive the car until the end of September. After that the engine is going in another project car... As far as the 4+3 Trans goes I'm not sure. (storage I guess). It's in good shape, I had a trans shop go through it 3,500 Miles ago and make sure it was good to go, I won't really have any use for it once the LSX/T56 swap is done.
07-10-2019, 07:32 PM
#12
I'm going to drive the car until the end of September. After that the engine is going in another project car... As far as the 4+3 Trans goes I'm not sure. (storage I guess). It's in good shape, I had a trans shop go through it 3,500 Miles ago and make sure it was good to go, I won't really have any use for it once the LSX/T56 swap is done.
07-10-2019, 07:59 PM
#13
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St. Jude Donor '05
O hear ya. Let go of a 500 mi T56 that I knew @ the time shouldnt have.
Either buy aftermakret or get a rebuilt one most used ones are too old not gonna work out .
Either buy aftermakret or get a rebuilt one most used ones are too old not gonna work out .
07-10-2019, 08:04 PM
#14
The problem with aftermarket is most require a core.
Last edited by slow_zo6; 07-10-2019 at 08:05 PM.
07-10-2019, 08:05 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
Those T56 Magnums are close to 4 grand or above once you purchase all the nickel dime bits to complete the "kit". The good news is it'll withstand whatever you throw at it. It may be overkill for just an LS2 but if you had plans for it, I could see it paying for itself in the long run. If I were you, I'd do the T56. You've already got it, they're proven to work and parts for them are plentiful. Also plenty of documentation done by people rebuilding/upgrading. The only time I've ever seen the Magnum is on car shows that have a budget for it. That being said, it's an amazing piece. If you want to go for it, I wouldn't blame you.
Last edited by 1985 Corvette; 07-10-2019 at 08:06 PM.
07-10-2019, 08:06 PM
#16
Those T56 Magnums are close to 4 grand or above once you purchase all the nickel dime bits to complete the "kit". The good news is it'll withstand whatever you throw at it. It may be overkill for just an LS2 but if you had plans for it, I could see it paying for itself in the long run. If I were you, I'd do the T56. You've already got it, they're proven to work and parts for them are plentiful. Also plenty of documentation done by people rebuilding/upgrading. The only time I've ever seen the Magnum is on car shows that have a budget for it. That being said, it's amazing piece. If you want to go for it, I wouldn't blame you.
07-10-2019, 08:07 PM
#17
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St. Jude Donor '05
Any ised stick trans no matter what the ad says isnt worht 500....it will run 1500 for a real rebuilt plus hardened parts (ask me how I know)
Pay more up front get teh good stuff it is 100 percent worth it having brand new.
They arent 3 yrs old more like 15+ and most sellers lie in general. Burn up that visa and get it (like someone gonna say must have 150k IDK)
There is no RPM limi that I know of..run mine to 7500 no issues so far?
Pay more up front get teh good stuff it is 100 percent worth it having brand new.
They arent 3 yrs old more like 15+ and most sellers lie in general. Burn up that visa and get it (like someone gonna say must have 150k IDK)
There is no RPM limi that I know of..run mine to 7500 no issues so far?
Last edited by cv67; 07-10-2019 at 08:09 PM.
07-10-2019, 08:11 PM
#18
Any ised stick trans no matter what the ad says isnt worht 500....it will run 1500 for a real rebuilt plus hardened parts (ask me how I know)
Pay more up front get teh good stuff it is 100 percent worth it having brand new.
They arent 3 yrs old more like 15+ and most sellers lie in general. Burn up that visa and get it (like someone gonna say must have 150k IDK)
There is no RPM limi that I know of..run mine to 7500 no issues so far?
Pay more up front get teh good stuff it is 100 percent worth it having brand new.
They arent 3 yrs old more like 15+ and most sellers lie in general. Burn up that visa and get it (like someone gonna say must have 150k IDK)
There is no RPM limi that I know of..run mine to 7500 no issues so far?
Might as well save the headache and do it right the first time.
Last edited by slow_zo6; 07-10-2019 at 08:12 PM.
07-10-2019, 08:12 PM
#19
Le Mans Master
I know, I'm looking at them now (Damn this thread!). On another note, wow the market for T56 F body transmissions has softened it looks like. I remember just a few years ago, I couldn't find one on ebay for under $2000. First few I found just now are asking roughly $1600. I wonder what made them spike in price, swaps using them weren't anything new, I guess the hysteria subsided a little.
07-10-2019, 08:22 PM
#20
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Ya there is always a risk with any used trans or motor etc... my T56 seems good but you never have a guarantee.
Huge demand for the T56's locally though, every few ever come up and are gone within a day or two. I beat 2 other people to get this one both of whom arrive with cash in hand when I was loading it in my truck and wanted to buy it from me...I am aware there is big cost difference between the regular T56 and a magnum, but if I don't have to do a rear gear swap that would make it a much smaller difference in my situation. I agree the Magnum is proabbly overkill for my stock (for now) LS2 I am planning to use.
Great point aboit all the regular T56 swap into C4's its nice not to pioneer a swap is possible.
Has anyone tried to put a magnum in a C4, or would I have to be the pioneer if I did it?
Huge demand for the T56's locally though, every few ever come up and are gone within a day or two. I beat 2 other people to get this one both of whom arrive with cash in hand when I was loading it in my truck and wanted to buy it from me...I am aware there is big cost difference between the regular T56 and a magnum, but if I don't have to do a rear gear swap that would make it a much smaller difference in my situation. I agree the Magnum is proabbly overkill for my stock (for now) LS2 I am planning to use.
Great point aboit all the regular T56 swap into C4's its nice not to pioneer a swap is possible.
Has anyone tried to put a magnum in a C4, or would I have to be the pioneer if I did it?
Last edited by DMITTZ; 07-10-2019 at 09:09 PM.