The selection of transmission application for this project has gone back and forth while we were trying to decide what powertrain to use.  When we were planning on running FE big blocks, the choice was obviously to run a heavy duty toploader.  We sourced two of these locally and intended to use them in the builds. However, when we decided to run modular engines we had to opt for a late model trans. The options here are as follows:

Since we plan to subject these transmissions to track abuse and use them regularly for highway cruzing, we opted for the T56. These transmissions were offered on Camaros, Cobras (terminator and cobraR) and Vipers.  The 2003/2004 Cobra donors are the most likely candidates since they bolt straight up with no bellhousing or input shaft modifications. The other nice thing about these transmissions is that they are a little more readily available and affordable compared to their bigger TKO brothers.

Click here for TTC's product info page: T56

In keeping with the late model theme, stock pedals from an SN95 Mustang will be installed and will operate the clutch using a stock Cobra clutch cable.

5/16/09 - The 2nd transmission rebuild went substantially quicker since we devised all the "special" tools we needed and we were alot more familiar with the internals. Besides some missing parts (from the last guy's attempt at rebuilding it) we would have been in and out of this thing in about 4hrs. A local transmission shop that specializes in Tremec transmissions helped us get the parts we needed to get it back together.

5/13/09 - Finished transmission #1 this evening.. and #2 is ready to tear down. Finally getting to the fun stuff. Process was quite straightforward being the first time we had done a modern trans.

Car was not going anywhere with the a broken input shaft. Ebay $13 replacement will do the trick. We will not be running enough power to replicate this failure. Last year we bought a used OTC 25 ton press on Ebay and finally got a chance to use it - very handy. Since we replaced the input shaft, we needed to measure the shaft preloads (since they use tapered roller bearings) and added shims to get 0.000 end play. Otherwise, we changed out the parts for the one in the rebuild kit and put everything back together.

Trans # 1 is cleaned up and ready to install. Trans #2 is now in the cue.

4/30/09 - We bought 2 of these knowing there was some internal damage, but the price was right. Symptoms were hard to shift into 3/4 gears, and also the transmission was popping out of 3rd and 4th while driving. This is a classic symptom in these transmission of failed stamped steel keys in the trans. This is a faily easy job as long as you have gear pullers available and heavy duty snap ring pliers. Another evening we should have this one cleaned up/rebuild and another torn down.

As you can see below - the fragments found in the trans of the stamped steel keys, what the stamped steel keys originally looked like, and the upgraded billet keys. Also the difference between the bronze shift fork pads and the plastic originals (the other ones were in pieces all through the trans). Transmissions will also receive carbon kevlar synchronizer rings and an upgraded steel shift fork (from aluminum). Otherwise all the gears in the trans were in great shape with no noticeable wear.

2/12/09: It is finally transmission rebuild time. After selling lots of old Torino parts on Ebay, we raised enough money to buy transmission rebuild kits. Since we both bought known broken transmissions (to save money of course) we knew we would have to rebuild these anyway. We decided to upgrade the known weak points in the T56 transmission since these cars will see some track duty. The kit upgrades the trans with carbon kevlar synchronizer rings and replaces all of the typical wear items. There are two main weak points inside the case: 1) The stamped 1-2 and 3-4 keys are being replaced with billet ones as shown below. 2) The aluminum 3-4 shift forks are being replaced with steel pieces (from a Viper trans), and also replaced the plastic fork pads with brass ones.

In the beginning...

The Texas Torino also started out life with a mighty C4 automatic.

Thanks to local online classifieds, we scored a dirt cheap T56 which needed a new input shaft and syncros. More rebuild info coming soon!