What tranny to use?
 

So, I have had it with the rotary. It is finally time to swap in the V8.

I know that alot of people have a love for manuals but, what would the pros and cons be of having a manual or an automatic?

Please let me know what you guys think.
Thanks

If your using a chevy engine use either a t56 6 speed, or a 200r4. I'd go with the t56 though.

Thanks. I think the t56 is a better choice as well because frankly, who would want an automatic instead of a 6-speed.

But everyone has their own opinion so lets here some more.:D

c4 for ford

I have a 200R4 sitting in the garage waiting for the 327 to go together..

MY Problem is.. the 327 is going to either have a Tunnel Ram on it... or a stealth Ram with a Wolf3D...
That being said.. I am planning on going with a little more NON-Streetable (For the masses) camshaft.
THAT being said... Idle?? If you have a more radical camshaft...you loose idle quality.
Lose Idle quality.. and a automatic becomes a issue with a lower stall converter.
Manual you can run whatever you want.. cause it idles easily.. no drag on the engine by the converter.

Automatic.. run a Big stall converter.. like 5-600 for a 3000 stall off the top of my head from summit for a 200R4.

Ok add the stall... RPM in 4th gear (OD) around 1500?? But the converter hooks up at 3000.... AND.. the engine doesnt like idling.. which you do in 4th at 45?? SO what does the tranny do in OD at 55.. when the engine wants to turn 1500 for the speed.. but the converter doesnt hook up till 3K.... Cruise around surging? or just get a manual lockup for the converter and flip it.. and surge from the rough idle.. he he
This I dont know.

Soo.. Stockish motor.... get whatever is easier for you to get/install/afford/use.
GOing silly with the engine.. Go manual.

Drag racing? Auto is fine.
Autocrossing.. Road racing/Track Events? Go manual.

200R4... better plan on spending a K on upgrades to handle more than 300hp for any length of time.
700R4.. get a good shift Kit etc.
T-56 Get a clutch and flywheel and GO.

:D

Use the tranny that comes with the engine you buy (assuming you get one from a wreck). For an LS1 it'll be a t56 or a 4L60E. Other options are Tremec TKO (II?) 5 speed, or a 200r4/700r4 for autos. If it were me (and I've been there obviously) I'd leave well enough alone and just go with the T56.

tranny caution and advice
 

the t56 has a track record of causing injury to the driver due to the shifter wacking against ones leg.
look into fb performance they have a tranny rated at about 900hp 4speed and an airshift kit could be added because at 8-900 hp you will lose time shifting yourself.
they made a rotary app. and i saw it in the shop also made an app. for a dsm motor. simply bring your own bell housing. 350 chevy turbo one on there website has been upgraded to handle 900hp.(listed at 700hp there)
the t56 aka the tremec? that is the one that has cause issues also if you talk to viper guys they will tell you that 6th is known to break upon minor torque abuse.
I'm not trying to come across as some sort of expert but a 75 shot Nitrous spray caused the fly to catch the tranny and twist the internals thus smacking a driver in NJ in the leg.

Umm DUde No offense..:D
I know about 150 people in the tampabay area in a local club, and the vast majority have the T-56.
No-one I have ever talked to has ever had the tranny hit thier leg. :wtf:
One of my best friends has a 2002 SLP Camaro he special ordered with a host of mods.. and I have abused it for 2 years at the track etc.. 11.8 in the 1/4. Never had a problem with the tranny. Nor have any of his friends.
Sooo I dunno what condition the cars are with the T-56 you have "seen" but none of them I have seen or driven have had these problems.

Thanks again. I think I will just go with a T56. It seems to be the best option for waht I am looking into.

Would anybody do a 1st gear lock-out, on a 1st Gen 5.0 HO,T56?

T56 or th400 if you go with an auto

I used 700r4 and no complaints. You can run a radical cam with a 700 because it has a tv cable and don't operate off vacuum. Secondly it has overdrive so you don't need to worry too much on gearing. I'm running a 2500 stahl. Only downside is a shifter. You need a four speed shifter so you can't use the 7s stock shifter well you can but you can't hit low.

Manual - pros,
1. It's manual
2. You shift the gears and push the clutch (no tq converter or shift kit needed to change it up or cause issues)
3. gas milage, maybe
4. lighter weight
5. good for autoX
6. Far more difficult to overheat

Auto pros,
1. Big $$$ for a "built" manual unit compared to auto
2. Way easier on the rear end if you go drag racing or plan on launching at all, this is big if you have a stock rear.
3. Auto trans with a shift kit is really fun too
4. Just because a manual is simpler doesn't mean it wont give you problems.
5. Not as likely to break on launch.
6. Launches like an ICBM!

It's a toss up, go with your preference unless you plan on being a regular at the drag strip in which case go auto.

A mild built engine with a stick is alright but if your going to put big numbers down I would do an automatic. Easy to enjoy when you just want to cruise. Stiff clutch and traffic don't mix well

Oh and another thing. If your doing a big nasty motor with an auto. Do a reverse vavle body :)

LOL at the T56 will whack you in the leg comments above. I've put some together that live behind 500-1000 RWHP cars, and I am NOT a pro by any means.

On an N/A car, or something that's a street toy, I'd go wit ha T56 all day. With a turbo car, I'd consider the automatic.

FWIW, I've had the following transmissions in my car:

700r4
4L60e
T56
2004r
Powerglide

In that order. I killed the 700r4, 4L60e and 2004r. All were moderately built, all were fried with between 350 (700r4/4L60e, technically 2 of those) and 550 (2004r) RWHP. T56 was fine with ~450-500 RWHP, I sold it in working condition. Have a very built powerglide now. Car is a turbo V8 setup for straight line stuff.

<3 thread necro.....The shifter whacking leg was classic.

Could also go with a Camaro TR6060 with the stock Camaro shifter linkage. Or the T56 Magnum which is the aftermarket version of the TR6060. Same internals I believe.

T56

it also depends on which version of the t 6060 you use. some are geared differently where you can use 6th as top end gear and not a gas saving over drive. the t6060 in the zl1 camaro is geared toward top speed with a .63 ratio.

Just check out ls1tech.com by far the best place to find LS motor and Tremec transmission advice.

but what about this 6 speed auto from TCI that comes with a computer and bolts to any ls engine. oh yeah and rated at 850 ft lbs of torque.

6x Six-Speed GM 4L80E Automatic Transmission (850hp) - TCI® Auto

I heard t56 is the way to go!

for a manual trans yeah I would go with the t6060, but for an automatic with your choice of 6 forward gears and a higher torque rating the tci 6 speed auto seems like a good choice. not to mention automatics shit so much faster than a human could ever shift, what could consistency hurt. oh yeah and paddle shifters are a nice perk as well.

No Drag Car here guys, just a nice and stong GT.

The TR6060 is nice for the street but you miss a gear driving hard it will NOT forgive you. The finer teeth on the gear/syncro assemblies makes for a smoother shift than the t-56 but are MUCH more prone to rounding off and grinding.

What rear end holds up??