T56 in a c5
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 758
Likes: 366
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 86
From: De Pere, WI
Check out TheGearbox.org they sell packages with upgrade parts for the T56.
How much power are you wanting it to hold? There is only so much you can do before the case itself becomes a liability.
How much power are you wanting it to hold? There is only so much you can do before the case itself becomes a liability.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,204
Likes: 1,074
From: South Florida
You can rate a shaft at stress failure but this has little to do with engine output by itself. For example a good clutch and tire can rip the input shaft right out even if the engine only has low output. That is because kinetic energy can be stored in drivetrain/engine parts and rapidly released suddenly to explode a shaft or gearset. Keeping a performance transmission alive for general use applications such as daily drivers with normal street tires is more about how its used & treated than how much power the engine makes.
To answer your question in a practical sense, I've successfully maintained transmissions over 20 years rated around 300ft*lbs of torque at well near 800ft*lbs of torque output from an engine, thanks to slipping and elasticity in times of need and good driving principles. and I've seen many transmissions explode behind engines with 200ft*lbs of torque that are rated much higher because of sudden energy releases, or vibration issues, improper pinion angles, etc... you can easily ruin a transmission by incorrect drivetrain setting up angles, joints and flexibility.
To answer your question in a practical sense, I've successfully maintained transmissions over 20 years rated around 300ft*lbs of torque at well near 800ft*lbs of torque output from an engine, thanks to slipping and elasticity in times of need and good driving principles. and I've seen many transmissions explode behind engines with 200ft*lbs of torque that are rated much higher because of sudden energy releases, or vibration issues, improper pinion angles, etc... you can easily ruin a transmission by incorrect drivetrain setting up angles, joints and flexibility.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
You can rate a shaft at stress failure but this has little to do with engine output by itself. For example a good clutch and tire can rip the input shaft right out even if the engine only has low output. That is because kinetic energy can be stored in drivetrain/engine parts and rapidly released suddenly to explode a shaft or gearset. Keeping a performance transmission alive for general use applications such as daily drivers with normal street tires is more about how its used & treated than how much power the engine makes.
To answer your question in a practical sense, I've successfully maintained transmissions over 20 years rated around 300ft*lbs of torque at well near 800ft*lbs of torque output from an engine, thanks to slipping and elasticity in times of need and good driving principles. and I've seen many transmissions explode behind engines with 200ft*lbs of torque that are rated much higher because of sudden energy releases, or vibration issues, improper pinion angles, etc... you can easily ruin a transmission by incorrect drivetrain setting up angles, joints and flexibility.
To answer your question in a practical sense, I've successfully maintained transmissions over 20 years rated around 300ft*lbs of torque at well near 800ft*lbs of torque output from an engine, thanks to slipping and elasticity in times of need and good driving principles. and I've seen many transmissions explode behind engines with 200ft*lbs of torque that are rated much higher because of sudden energy releases, or vibration issues, improper pinion angles, etc... you can easily ruin a transmission by incorrect drivetrain setting up angles, joints and flexibility.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 379
From: South Florida FL
If you have solid traction, the first thing you should break is the main shaft. But at that power range you're shooting for, I'll get a trans brace, the wide differential mount and function suspension that deters wheel hop. I wouldn't open the trans until you need to. you should enter the T56 physical limitation at around 750-800tq.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski