I acquired a heavily modified '73 Camaro RS/SS with the rat 454ci bored over to 468ci Mark IV, generating 525 ft-lb of ungodly torque and putting 550 HP to the rear wheels. It is setup for drag racing with TH350, Ford 9" 4.11 ratio, 33-5 spline rear axles. I can't really drive the car on streets on freeways and as I don't intend to race, would like to swap in the 6-speed manual tranny.
based on the above, what would you recommend?

thanks!

http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b32d3f3dc42f


[This message has been edited by MUSCULO (edited October 03, 2003).]

T56

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by MUSCULO:
I acquired a heavily modified '73 Camaro RS/SS with the rat 454ci bored over to 468ci Mark IV, generating 525 ft-lb of ungodly torque and putting 550 HP to the rear wheels. It is setup for drag racing with TH350, Ford 9" 4.11 ratio, 33-5 spline rear axles. I can't really drive the car on streets on freeways and as I don't intend to race, would like to swap in the 6-speed manual tranny.
based on the above, what would you recommend?

thanks!</font>


There are several T56 6 speeds to choose from. Most of them are rated at 450 ft/lbs, but will handle much more.

Here's some info on the T56:
http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/6_speed.html

and I've started some swap details on this page: http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/t56_early_gm.html This page is still pretty thin, but will get you started.

Sounds like an awesome acquisition!
Mike

Thanks guys, the more I read on T56, the more I like it. Sounds like the right tranny.

Yeah man definately the T56. It will allow you to keep your 4:11 gear and still drive the car.

I would de-cam the engine if you are going to a manual trans for street use.

I pulled a T56 out from behind a torquey 454 and put an auto back in....

That car is a bad idea for you. Tell you what. You sell it to me for $10 bucks and I'll make sure you don't have to worry about it ANY more.... http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/wink.gif

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" Come to the Dark Side....the BBC force is STRONG within us all...."

73 LT 454 and a small touch of giggles....hee hee hee. More good parts are lining up the shelves.....
mailto:rscamaro73@nastyz28.comrscamaro73@nastyz28.com</A>

http://www.cardomain.com/id/rscamaro73

84 4x4 Suburban 'rust bucket'

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by jakeshoe:
I would de-cam the engine if you are going to a manual trans for street use.

I pulled a T56 out from behind a torquey 454 and put an auto back in....</font>

Sorry bro, you lost me. What exactly do you mean by "de-cam the engine for the manual tranny"?

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by rscamaro73:
That car is a bad idea for you. Tell you what. You sell it to me for $10 bucks and I'll make sure you don't have to worry about it ANY more.... http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/wink.gif

</font>

Wow, how can I possibly decline such a generous offer? And all this without even seeing the vehicle. I wonder would you offer a whopping $15 if you actually see it (link below)? http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b32d3f3dc42f

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by MUSCULO:
Sorry bro, you lost me. What exactly do you mean by "de-cam the engine for the manual tranny"?</font>

He knows what he's talking about... He then sold me the t56 http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/wink.gif
Mike

Perhaps what Jake is alluding to, is that there is no good reason to put a T56 behind a high-RPM monster motor. And, he's right.

Even with 4:11s, engine RPM is going to be 2000rpm tops in 6th at 70mph. If the motor is too high strung, you won't be able to effectively use 6th.
My criteria for engines in front of T56s-

If I can't cruise the engine at 1600rpm, including going up minor inclines without downshifting, then it needs to be de-cammed, or a different trans picked.

I would recommend the TKO, but its first gear ratio is all wrong for a big block w/ 4.11s. A modded 2004R is the best I can come up with for overdrive.

Todd

Let me expand my question a bit further. If I go with the T56 tranny and a short-throw shifter, I would have to change my center piece for the console. Anyone knows where could I find it?

Have you read Todd's page on the T56 conversion?
http://home.cfl.rr.com/todd80z28/project_pages/T56_Install.htm

Musculo and Todd,

What i'm talking about is just the simple fact of a direct mechanical connection from the engine to the drivetrain on a rough idling motor.

I had NO problems in 4th 5th or 6th gear with the T56 behind the 454.
At those speeds the inertia of the car would smooth the rough idling but torquey 454.
Also the 454 made enough low end torque that it would EASILY accelerate from near idle in 6th to however fast you dared drive a 30 year old car.
Somewhere well above 150 mph was enough for me.
The carbuereted 454 would pull from 1200 rpm to 6500 rpm in 6th. I never got it that high but I have no doubts that it would do it.
I've driven new Vette's with the 6 speed and they wouldn't pull 6th like the 454 would. LS1's are torque but not a substitute for pure displacement.

I however got tired of driving it in town.
1st, 2nd and 3rd gear it would lope down the road.
If you didn't have it turning at least 2500 rpm at slow speeds it wouldn't run smooth.
2500 doesn;t sound like much but with dumps behind the mufflers, DynoMax Ultra-Flo's, and a throaty 454 that is loud all the time.

Once the car got moving fast enough to push the motor it was great.
I could have done a cam swap and smoothed everything up, and had a more streetable setup, but I always wanted a manual trans musclecar.
I built one, drove it, got tired of it, and but an auto back in, sacrificing the OD, but a funner car to drive for me.

Here's a link to some folks who want your money...and lots of it...for a bolt-in, mechanical clutch, heavy duty T-56 with shifter:

http://www.ddperformance.com/chevy.htm

Really a good deal when you consider it's completely rebuilt and comes with a guarantee...IMHO

Anyway, some folks just like to row their own...

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Tom Mac
81 Z-28 T-Top 406/T-10 (http://www.nastyz28.com/2gcog/members/bigtommac.jpg) (in work)
88 S-10 Blazer 4x4 4.3/700R4
Keep on Camaroing!