t56 how strong?

franksaltz28 · 10-13-2009, 04:04 PM

I have a 98 camaro z28 with a t56 from a newer fbody with a ls7 clutch. How much hp can the transmission handle. Im use to just droping the clutch at 6k rpms, but i think with the new build my transmission wont be able to handle it. My new build is a 383 with a ms4 cam and ported ls6 heads. my rearend can handle the pressure, but what kind of changes should i make to the t56 so it can stand the hp.

ddcarter · 10-13-2009, 04:33 PM

Could always go with a larger output shaft or a 9310 outputshaft.

DVS99TRANS · 10-13-2009, 05:05 PM

The main thing you have to be concerned about the most are the shift forks. The stock 1-2fork is steel, but the 3-4 is aluminum. Very hard shift and mis-shifts can bend that pretty easily at that power level. Replace everything around the gears, shift pads, forks, synchros, etc...
The gears themselves can take some punishment. They are the same material used in the Vipers, and such. With replacing the stuff around the gears, most performance shops will warranty the tranny to 700hp N/A without a bottle or Forced Induction. Check out Tick Performance, and related sponsors on here that deal with T56s regularly. I have been beat in the past twice for it. Also, don't expect that LS7 clutch to last very long either fella

And do you have a rear or still cruising on the 10 bolt?
Mike

Gen414 · 10-14-2009, 10:48 AM

#1....your 10 Bolt will break with 6K RPM clutch dumps, WELL BEFORE your tranny takes a shit, I can assure you of that.

#2....Your stock LS7 clutch will take a shit WELL BEFORE your tranny does.

#3..so, you have extra insurance there, as expect to break, rear end, THEN clutch before you break your tranny.

Now, what to upgrade on your tranny, after you have replaced your 10 bolt and clutch...

Weakest link in our tranny is:

Stamped shift keys, 3/4
Nylon fork pads
Aluminum 3/4 fork

Those are your weak links. Upgrade those (and to carbon fiber blocking rings while you are in there), and you will have a tranny capable of handling @ 700HP at teh track...

Edit: Also, with your 4.11 gears, you have WEAKEND your rear end even more so (smaller pinion/ring gear) over stock.

franksaltz28 · 10-14-2009, 02:15 PM

I'm sorry that I didn't mention that I have a built 8.8rearend. And the ls7 clutch is almost brandnew but I don't expect much from it.

AChotrod · 10-14-2009, 02:38 PM

I only make 405 rwhp NA, at the track very 1st 4500k dump with a street twin clutch and S60 snapped my output shaft like a twig

Car never made it 3 inches off the line.
FLT rebuilt it and said everything else looked brand new inside. But from everything I hear what happened to me is very very uncommon

GR8GAME · 10-14-2009, 03:23 PM

I snapped my mainshaft my last time at the track before my tick lvl 2 rebuild.

Gen414 · 10-14-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franksaltz28

I'm sorry that I didn't mention that I have a built 8.8rearend. And the ls7 clutch is almost brandnew but I don't expect much from it.

Ahh, 8.8 is nice rear end, bullet proof little sucker...I like!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by AChotrod

I only make 405 rwhp NA, at the track very 1st 4500k dump with a street twin clutch and S60 snapped my output shaft like a twig

Car never made it 3 inches off the line.
FLT rebuilt it and said everything else looked brand new inside. But from everything I hear what happened to me is very very uncommon

Something else happened...NO reason for mainshaft to break @ those power levels. Mainshaft breakage is NOT common...

Quote:

Originally Posted by GR8GAME

I snapped my mainshaft my last time at the track before my tick lvl 2 rebuild.

Your level 2 rebuild did NOT upgrade your mainshaft. I am sure they replaced it (obviously) but, it is still teh stock mainshaft....

AChotrod · 10-14-2009, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen414

Something else happened...NO reason for mainshaft to break @ those power levels. Mainshaft breakage is NOT common.......

Thats what I thought, I drove the car to the strip about 1hr away, no prob.
Did my burnout no prob, dumped at 4500k and the car never left the line.

There was absolutely nothing else wrong with the car. Lots of guys saw it happen, car got trailered to Speedinc. They verified it was the trans then FLT rebuilt it and the only damage was the main shaft. An old man owned the car b4 me and it was bone stock when I picked it up and 27k on the clock.

Gen414 · 10-14-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AChotrod

Thats what I thought, I drove the car to the strip about 1hr away, no prob.
Did my burnout no prob, dumped at 4500k and the car never left the line.

There was absolutely nothing else wrong with the car. Lots of guys saw it happen, car got trailered to Speedinc. They verified it was the trans then FLT rebuilt it and the only damage was the main shaft. An old man owned the car b4 me and it was bone stock when I picked it up and 27k on the clock.

Definitely a freak occurence (and I DO believe you, not insuating that I don't). But, it IS a mechanical part, so it can break, at anytime....could use a million examples, but here is one for you...my truck, Cummins 1 ton. LF wheel bearing goes out. It is a unit bearing, sealed. Why did the RF bearing not go out at the same time?? They are both the same part. I can't tell you how many miles, but it has been many thousands of miles since I replaced it, and my RF is STILL going....

SuperSlow02 · 10-14-2009, 11:51 PM

That LS7 will last a bit, ive been slapping mine around for 2 years now and about 50 strip passes with a 150 shot out the hole on ET Streets....but like you said, dont rely on it and have a heavy duty clutch waiting to go in.

AChotrod · 10-15-2009, 12:04 AM

yeah I thought maybe the driveshaft blew or the rear possibly the clutch...but the main shaft was the only thing wrong. lol. Got it fixed and has been good since. Shitty part was that was 2 weeks b4 the LTXshootout. I ended up making it and winning 2nd in
EX NA class.

BTW i had the samething with the bearings in my old ZR2.

ddcarter · 10-15-2009, 05:41 PM

Corvette guys break mainshafts all the time.