Market analysis for used T-56's

Does anyone have insight into what used T-56's are going for presently?

There is probably quite a bit of variance, but I'm trying to get an idea of what the typical used pricing looks like.

Thanks!

About $800 for a bare transmission, $1400 for one with all the clutch, bell housing, shifter, and other asundries. Might find one a bit less with a lot of work, but I have yet to find one for under $650 anywhere and I've been looking, hard.

If you just want 6-gears you might stumble across a ZF for @$500, but if it's in need of repair the price gets out of hand quickly.

Thanks. That is very helpful info.

I found this one, but too far for me. http://www.racingjunk.com/category/1262/Manual_Transmissions/post/1446428/T56.html. Includes a bell housing and driveshaft.

I still don't understand everyones lust for a T56. Yes I understand many are geared with a tighter group of ratios and usually a little taller overdrive... I still wouldn't toss out a Tremec T5/T45 or 3550 for a T56 unless I NEEDED to.

I'm not sure that it's lust so much as the ability to handle a lot of torque. The T56 weighs a LOT more than a T5 though, and franky, given the wide power band of most V8s, the extra gear isn't necessary.

I just sold a T-45 with bellhousing, shifter, clutch, flywheel etc. for about 650 bucks....way cheaper than a T-56, and it still has an overdriven gear....I don't get it either....

Easy, T45/3550's don't bolt up to GM engines. Also 90% of bizarre engine adapters are for GM transmissions.

T5 does though...

maroon92 wrote: T5 does though...

It does, but I keep hearing that the T5 can't handle a healthy LS1.... I REALLY want to take advantage of the low price of the 5.3's and swap one into...something, but the cost of the T56 is a big deterrent. (I have considered automatics...) What's a strong T5 worth?

maroon92 wrote: T5 does though...

What cars came with a T5?

The truck 5-speeds are pretty economical as well, though the gearing is a bit wide for a car.

I have a t5 behind a 440hp lt1 I just don't do anything stupid with it just ease off the quartermaster 3 disk clutch at 4500 rpm with slicks.

Don't t56 have a problem with 3 4 gear syncros.

Stan

My t5 is about 75lbs.

S10 4.3L and GEN3 Camaro had T5s. Too bad both of them are so rare.

http://www.flatheadv8.org/ernie/ernie-t5.htm

How economically could a T5 be "built" to handle more HP? Since their are so many of them out there someone must have figured out how to improve their survival rate?

funny, i was just thinking about T5 vs. T56 earlier. T5's can be built to handle 450+ While it wont be cheap, you still end up with a smaller, lighter unit than the T56. Pricing will probly be close. I should go thrue my old issues of CC and find this realy good T5 build up/swap article

Hi, I am not trying to turn this into a T5 thread, but maybe I am.

I have a T5 in my 93 GMC Sonoma. the idea was to use it and the rear end/axle for a locust.

how much power can you put on a stock T-5, the car I would like to build would have less than 300HP

good luck with your T56 purchase. (that was to stay on topic)

I could never figure out why I keep seeing big 8s with 6speed transmissions.. when it is the smaller engined cars that can benefit the most from the extra gear

The big motor can cruise down the highway with a .5 top gear and get good mileage. A little motor could never pull that gear.

They're just different. They aren't best for all situations, but typically, more (closer) gears means you can more easily dance around the target RPM. An increased or broader torque curve or a lighter car lessens the need for more (closer) gearing, but its still nice in some situations.

T56's big benefit is the torque they can take. Smaller eariler T5s (S10 pickups, mustangs, camaros) are lucky to handle 250 lb-ft. The later "world class" T5s are much more capable. They're rated for 350, but I've seen them handle 400+. For real torque, you'd need the TKO500 or 600, named so for their torque capacity rating.

But for the cost of getting a TKO500, you can buy a T56 that will take the same torque, have an extra gear, a deeper OD, and its all available in a junkyard. I have a T56 built with a hybrid of Viper internals and GM externals that is rated for 650 lb-ft... but it cost me $3500.

Most of what we deal with on this board is smaller stuff, but when you're dealing with V8 torque, the ratings are pretty ballpark. There is a huge difference between a traction-limited camaro, and a full-size pickup with 12" wide slicks. Give both of those vehicles 500 lb ft of torque through a T56 and I guarantee one would break. Guess which one. :)

The T56 should be considered like a regular 5-speed with an additional overdrive. The ratios aren't that much closer, but the double OD with .5:1 6th means that you can (need to) use much lower final drive ratios and still have a low OD cruise RPM. For instance, my 96 Impala SS (which is the car getting the viper T56) currently has a .7:1 OD and 3.08 rear. To keep the same basic overall RPMs and ratios, I have to use a 4.10 rear with the T56. That gives me a little lower first and a slightly higher OD final drive ratio, but it adds two gears in the middle... and lets me row through them instead of the computer. :)

EricM wrote: Hi, I am not trying to turn this into a T5 thread, but maybe I am. I have a T5 in my 93 GMC Sonoma. the idea was to use it and the rear end/axle for a locust. how much power can you put on a stock T-5, the car I would like to build would have less than 300HP good luck with your T56 purchase. (that was to stay on topic)

I think a T5 would take a LOT of power in a car like a locost simply as a result of the light weight.

Also, as pointed out, the T56 is a huge, heavy, near unbreakable beast of a trans. The T5 is a wimp by any standards (stock). The T45 isn't much better and the completely redesigned Tremec 3550 and 3650 are finally starting to be useful.

T5's came in 3rd Gen Camaro/Firebirds (V6 and V8), but they are are rare and easily breakable. Remember it's torque that kills manuals, and even the "World Class" T5 is only rated for ~275Ft Lbs in it's initial form.

LT1 T56's are the cheapest right now and still very good units. They bolt up to LS1's and are easily serviced.

P71 wrote: LT1 T56's are the cheapest right now and still very good units. They bolt up to LS1's and are easily serviced.

That's good to know. What prices are you seeing for LT1 T56's?

I've seen them for $450 with really high miles and just the tranny, but $800-900 is more typical for good low-mileage boxes. Full on swaps with bellhousing, pedals, master and slave typically go for $1400-1800 on Ebay.

curtis73 wrote: I've seen them for $450 with really high miles and just the tranny, but $800-900 is more typical for good low-mileage boxes. Full on swaps with bellhousing, pedals, master and slave typically go for $1400-1800 on Ebay.

Perfect. Thanks.