[SteviGX]

^^^ tko600 is a 6 speed

[Jazzer The Cat]

Thanks, Silver

I kinda wish I knew more about ratios and the math that goes into choosing the best one for me, but I don't

I had a 4 speed Vega back in HS days and seems to me the gears were pretty spread out. When I purchased an '85 GT Stang in late '85, I was immediately unhappy with the gap between 4th~5th. I believe it was a T-5, but I really don't know for sure. By the time I purchased my current ride, I was soo used to the gap, I didn't think much of it (the T-3650 is nearly exactly the same). When my current bearings began to howl, I realized I was in need of a rebuild. I posted a couple questions on MF's about new/rebuilt options, and many said "Dude! go T-56 6 speed!". Like this HUGE light went off and realized that was the way to solve this gap .

I did a BUNCH of research and started really thinking about improvements that could be made with different gears. I really only drive my car on weekends, but just want consistant steps between gears. Without doing any of the math to convert RPM's to ratios for PROOF this would be best, I went with what made sense based on my experience.

Looking at the ratios the 2nd~3rd are VERY close and 4th is 1:1, so it's exactly the same. My first is soo low, I have to just about release the clutch with zero throttle to stall it (even then, I have "saved" it a time or two probably due to 3:55's out back). I think this new 5th will be a MAJOR improvement to rid me of the "inbetween" gears feeling I get constantly. Then having 6th, I will see some improvement in mileage and looks to be a nice step from 5th. I have never driven a 6 speed, so I am working on pure theory here, so I hope I am correct.

***HERE*** is the options for the T-56 and, out of all the choices, the #1260 is the best suited as I see it. You can see the Viper spec #1806 and likely runs 4:10s out back and has quite a bit more HP/T than my ride. This is what John Griggs wanted to build for me, but would not want that ratio. Running 245hp/285t, I feel 1st would be too high for a DD with all the hills and SF area I drive.

OK, my computer is about to run out of ink now due to this heafty post , so I bid you farewell until my next update. Hopefully, at my install in a couple weeks

JTC

PS. recieved my Pro50 shifter yesterday, so I am 100% set on all the parts I need EXCEPT MY BUDDY TO GET OFF HIS ARSE AND HELP ME WITH INSTALL

[EThompson6]

Originally Posted by SteviGX ^^^ tko600 is a 6 speed

no its not. what are you smoking?
Tremec Transmission for TKO 600 - (0.64 Fifth Gear Ratio) - StangSuspension.com

[Jazzer The Cat]

I am going out of my brain here....

I ordered a new billet flywheel today and T.O. bearing, as clutch and pressure plate only have about 15K on them. The bearing was also replaced at the time, but cheap enough to install a replacement. I will also re-imploy my trick to pull the bearing off of the pressure plate. The Ford design is to utilize a "continuous spinning" bearing and The Jaz don't like that! I actually have a short video I took of it in action:

EDIT: for whatever reason, the image is not displayed, so click link on top of picture below

NEW & IMPROVED clutch return magnet video

The metal rod is the end of the clutch cable and bearing is being pulled left to contact pressure plate. When the clutch is out, the magnet pulls the bearing away. Pretty tricky... eh?

I also received my Pro50 shifter the other day, so just about all set of Jan. 10th install, bay bay

The following is an ACTUAL photograph of The Jazzer, taken earlier today:


Please approach with caution as it is getting dangerous around here!

[Jazzer The Cat]

OK, pepes.... didn't get done, but MAJOR progress

Ran out of time today as my buddy and I had to spend 1.5 hours JUST making enough room to get my car up on the lift. The shop has 7, count 'em, SEVEN major resto projects going with pretty much zero done on any for many a year!

Anyway, we did all the hard stuff today, and even found a missing nut on the passenger side of exhaust manifold causing a small leak and will be fixed. The old trans came right out, and the new one went right in. I had read MANY times of the "massage" work needed in the tunnel for install, but seem to have lots of room. Passenger side has 1/2" all around at closest point and driver side (the side that will see the most movement at WOT), had nearly 1". OK, now some pics:

This is the existing clutch and pressure plate with a new FRPP billet fly. The clutch has about 15K on it and my buddy was pointing out the surface and said it appeared to have about 200 miles on it, at most! Installed a new T.O. bearing and reusing the clutch fork that was installed at same time as clutch, last year.



Here it is just installed and ZERO tunnel work needed to fit. Just the cross-member bracket needed and some wiring for reverse switch needed:




Completely installed along with new aluminum drive-shaft (1" shorter than previous one) and all toqued in. Once it was all installed, the clearance was still really good, so cannot see why all the installs saying tunnel work was required. The cross-member was for a Cobra and may not have even been needed. The "nuts" on the body are actually a sliding part that have alternate holes that are oval to line-up cross-member and would probably have worked with stock one. The Cobra one fits VERY nicely and was worth it either way:





Here is the reverse switch that is now connects on the passenger side. The wires had to be extended 1' to reach over the trans. I just cut the two wires and soldered two 1" pieces of wire inbetween and applied heat-shrink tubing as protection. I then wrapped the two wires with electrical tape so they would remain clean and not tangle up on anything. I also had to rob the reverse switch from my old T-3650 as the connection "posts" of switch were not only too large, but not on the same center:



The speedo connection went right in and don't see any other obsticles so far. We will hit it up tomorrow morning and get 'er done, as we just ran out of time today . We will also have to machine a new clutch spacer as the Ford cable has NO adjustment and is just a solid line with pressed ends on it. Appearantly, the T-3650 bell-housing is just a little deeper or something and the clutch cable is now about 1" too long. This is no prob, as Wes is good at machining stuff.

Will finish up and take a roadie with the galpal tomorrow and give y'all a little review of how it drives.

Jazzer

EDIT: I almost forget.... MAJOR props to Bruce at Modern Driveline for all his help. Bruce was absolutely wonderful from start to finish on this project. He helped me diagnose the "howl" issue I had with my T-3650 and worked with me on how to address it. I mentioned that I was unhappy with the ratio's and was told a T-56 was the way to go. He looked at all the options and came up with the 1260 as a suggestion. I was VERY happy with the ratios and he hooked me up with the cross-member and confirmed a direct fit into my ride. Just this past Tuesday, he spent about 10 minutes on the phone trying to locate me the proper flywheel as the Ford dealer could not locate one in time. I received it the next day and was a perfect fit. Even got me a new set of bolts/dowl pins so it would all go together well as the 10.5" and 11" clutch need different bolts to anchor pressure plate.

Thanks Bruce

[Lefty]

I'm excited.

That is all

[Jazzer The Cat]

She's Alive!!!!

Got 'er all finished up this afternoon and is wonderful . Running a little bit taller 1st gear so going into 2nd is a bit smoother. Nice and buttery shifting thanks to a nicer transmission as well as the new Pro50 shifter Fixed a small exhaust leak while we were under there and happy as a pig in poop . The galpal and I are going to take a little road trip here in a few for a little more of a test drive. So far, I have not found reverse except when looking to find it. It is a little strange to push the stick over and forward to get into it though, been driving two different 5 speeds for about 23 years and reverse has ALWAYS been over and back. I have had a bit of trouble finding the proper gear when coasting to a stop and light turns green. You know, kind of floating at 15mph and look for 2nd and found 4th a time or two. This will not be an issue for long as I am not use to how close the gears are to eachother. The reverse lock-out spring is absolutely purrfect! Just enough resistance to "want" reverse and not just fall into it. Over time, I may decide to remove the spring altogether, but so far, seems just fine

I needed to make/install a new clutch return magnet and hence a new video uploaded to Streetfire. I posted a fresh link in the original post, but seems to make sense to upload it here as well. The lighting is MUCH improved as my video skills are now completely mad!

EDIT: for whatever reason, the image is not displayed, so click link on top of picture below

NEW & IMPROVED clutch return magnet video

That thin curved piece is actually 1/2 of a hard-drive magnet set-up with a VERY strong magnet. It doesn't actually touch the clutch fork, yet has plenty of strength to pull T.O. bearing away from pressure plate. This should help extend the life of the bearing and has a nice little "release" of pedal when depressed, yet does not add resistance as a spring would.

Ok, pepes.... I'm outty

lé Gato dú Jazzee

[Lefty]

I'm Jealous. Very Jealous.

[Jazzer The Cat]

AWESOME!!!
Anyone considering this swap, is well advised to do so

1st~2nd is nice and smooth now, and less likely to get a herky-jerky as the ratio is much closer. That is not all folks, just check what's behind door #2... The loss of the 4th~5th gear gap I am now able to cruise at 55 mph with no need to choose between 2600 rpm 4th or 1600 rpm 5th With the new T-56, she now runs at 2200 rpm in 5th so have some power for those little hills in Marin Co. I always hated having to drive a little faster than I would like JUST to retain some semblance of HP in 5th gear.

This is a spectacular upgrade and recommend it to anyone with the means to do so

Jazzer

[Lefty]

Originally Posted by Jazzer The Cat AWESOME!!! Anyone considering this swap, is well advised to do so 1st~2nd is nice and smooth now, and less likely to get a herky-jerky as the ratio is much closer. That is not all folks, just check what's behind door #2... The loss of the 4th~5th gear gap I am now able to cruise at 55 mph with no need to choose between 2600 rpm 4th or 1600 rpm 5th With the new T-56, she now runs at 2200 rpm in 5th so have some power for those little hills in Marin Co. I always hated having to drive a little faster than I would like JUST to retain some semblance of HP in 5th gear. This is a spectacular upgrade and recommend it to anyone with the means to do so Jazzer

When I want to upgrade my Tranny you're coming out here and we're doing the install...

Okay, good?

[acmillr]

I know this is an old thread, but do any of know if the T56 wiring harness from an 03 Cobra will work with the 03GT motor and computer harness. I have been unable to locate a pin position diagram for either tranny wiring harness. I know the 03 Cobra harness should have two extra pins for the lock out, but is everything else pinned in the same location?

[SWEET2KSTANG]

if i remember right, the pin location is the same for manual to manual. the auto's are different. i will see if i can get a hold of 1 of 2 guys that i think have the pin diagram for it.

[acmillr]

Originally Posted by SWEET2KSTANG if i remember right, the pin location is the same for manual to manual. the auto's are different. i will see if i can get a hold of 1 of 2 guys that i think have the pin diagram for it.

Thanks

[SWEET2KSTANG]

one guy got rid of his harness, and cant get a hold of the other guy. what i have gathered is that the swap guys are using the harness from their t45 or tr3650 and using it on the t56. the harness is a direct plug in from what i have read, the t45 guys just have to use the t45 reverse switch on the t56. they get the f-body solenoid for the reverse lock out. not sure how much this helps, sorry i cant be any more help.

[Jazzer The Cat]

A little late in the convo here, but FWIW, I will add this. The reverse switch is on the opposite side of the trans from the T-3650 to the T-56. The "spread" of the pins differs as well as the length of the harness. I had to rob the reverse switch from my old T3650 and install it in the new trans to make the connector work.

Jazzer

[acmillr]

Good deal, I think I got it licked.

[GT350H]

Jazzer, I'm new to this forum and am swapping a Ford T-56 for the T-45 in my 98 Cobra. I'm really interested in the details of the reverse lockout modification. That sounds like the perfect solution.

Also would like to tap your experience as to correct bellhousing and driveshaft, and your sources for same.

[Ryguy33]

hey jazzer if you still have your T-3650 i might be interested in taking it off your hands