I run a 97 F250HD, 4x4, super cab. Runs a 460 now, but changing to a stroker from Cars By Carl next year. It has an auto now, but I'm thinking of trying to go to a 6-spd when I do the motor swap. Should be 400 HP, 600 ft/LB and really the most I pull is a car trailer every now and then.

I been thinking about trying to use more of that power. If a guy could use a 6-speed like the T56 Magnum trans, with a dual OD, that would drop the RPMs down when on the road back across the plains. It shoud have plenty of power to still pul up hills in 5th with a trailer and when I'm off-road, it's low speed, so the initial gears wil be good for that, yet tall enough to still be viable in traffic.

Thoughts? There are a couple belhousings to bolt it right to the 460, so that is easy and it would make the build easier by getting rid of the computer controls for the A4ODE that I have now.

 

Is there an output adapter or something to mate the T56 up with your T-Case? Just curious.

 

Well, there is an ol saying in the hot rod racing community....
If you have the power, you don't need the gears, if you don't have the power then you need the extra gears.

 

But I'm looking at going the reverse of what the hot rod community would be looking at gears for. I'll have the power and want to spread it out, not pull what power I'll have together for acceleration.

 

(hope no-one minds, I searched for the topic, and figured since this thread is relatively recent, I'd just dig it up, instead of starting a new one on the same idea.)

It sounds like your onto a good idea to me,

I'm looking into the same combo, T56 on a big block, but sorta going a half step in the other direction. I Am building a hot rod(based on a 76 F150 2WD), so i want close ration and a decently low 1st for launching... But I also still want the top two gears for highway cruising and to even out the poor gas mileage on a high cube engine(looking at a 512 or bigger build on my 460 and about that number in HP and torque--roughly).

I had started looking for a old T-10 or ford top loader from a 'stang, for the ratios I want and full syncro over a truck trans.. But then saw the T5, and then the T56...

The way i see it, is that its the best of both worlds. For the same gear ratios for 1st through 4th, you have your pulling power, and anything after that is icing on the cake for top end cruising.

I'm serriously thinking about going with the new T56 magnum, the after market equivelent of a TR-6060 (stock in the newer Corvette, Camero, Viper and GT500 Mustang, and Challengers) I couldn't realy care less that its basically a TR6060, or what a 6060 comes in other than maybe a little bit of performance bragging rights...

Welcome to D&D Performance - T-56 Magnum 6 Speed Transmission

I like it as an updated T56, same ratios (or awfully close), but its selling for almost a grand less at most places i've looked online! Thats great when you consider that a scatter shield or bell housing is running around $400 or $500...

And, FYI, for anyone else interested in this combo, here is some other info I came accross, on T56s with 460s,
bell housing options;
T-56 bellhousing for a 460 ? - 460 Ford Forum

C6 to T56 in a early Mustang
FordMuscle Webmagazine: Six Education: Mustang C6 to T56 Transmission Swap

Some info on different tremec transmissions, specs,
Modern Driveline - TREMEC Transmissions TKO-600 TKO-500 Parts, Sales, Service
TREMEC T-56 Transmission -Modern Driveline
TREMEC T-56 Magnum Transmission -Modern Driveline


G.

 

I saw the Magnum and really liked the idea, but can't use my transfer case for 4x4 that way.

Looks like instead of swapping in the stroker and converting to mass-air to run it, I'll have to swap to diesel. Possibly a Cummins.