T56 magnum opinions

Hey everyone, so my t56 decided to grenade itself, and rather than rebuilding it a t56 magnum seems to be the best option. I want to retain a 6 speed. Right now I'm on stock bottom end and a gen 1 2.3 whipple last dyno was 600/575. Eventually would like to get a set of Todd's cams and upgrade to a 2.9 whipple or the new gen 3r vmp looks enticing. Anyway plan on being around 800 or so rwhp at some point so I was wondering if the stock magnum would be enough or if I should go with some upgrades from tick performance. Appreciate the recommendations

Nick

My advice would be to make it as strong as u can so when u upgrade it doesn't grenade but stock magnums are pretty stout and can probably handle the 800 hp no problem. Magnums can handle over 1200 hp when properly built.

Since u plan on going 2.9 Whipple or equivalent with cams I would build it now while u have the chance. U will need to build ur bottom end tho if u plan on making 800 whp tho.

They're usually rated by Torque and they can handle 800 ft lbs of tq. U will need to be making north of a 1000 whp to make 800 wheel tq. I dont know what rear end gear ratio u have but make sure u chose the correct trans gear ratio to work best with ur rear end gear ratio.

I will definitely be doing the bottom end as well at that point. I still have 355s so I planned on maintaining stock ratios in the magnum. I have pretty much decided that I will do the upgraded version through tick unless anyone else has recommendations for another reputable company.

I went with a T56 Magnum Tranzilla from Rockland Standard Gear. Been real happy with it thus far.

A magnum is a tr6060 with a different tail. It has wider gears, different synchros case is longer and a few other things that make it stronger. Start with a mag and make that stronger(tick, rock land, liberty) instead of upgrading stock. You probably already knew of the differences but if not, tremec has some great info on their website on the differences.


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jwcobra03 said:

I went with a T56 Magnum Tranzilla from Rockland Standard Gear. Been real happy with it thus far.

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Isn't that the company that puts the Magnum guts into a standard T-56 case? Or something like that? I was impressed with that company after reading about them several years ago.

P49Y-CY said:

Isn't that the company that puts the Magnum guts into a standard T-56 case? Or something like that? I was impressed with that company after reading about them several years ago.

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Yes, it's the Magnum with a custom t56 tail section to accept the 31 spline output shaft. I didn't have to cut my DS and i can use my MGW shifter on it also. She was pricey but in the end, i'm happy i went this route. They reshim everything and do their upgrades to it.

Been running a magnum for 5+ years now, over 700 hp and tq for entire time. Making 850 hp/800 tq now and I love my magnum. They are factory rated 700 tq which is under rated. I highly recommend the magnum.

jwcobra03 said:

I went with a T56 Magnum Tranzilla from Rockland Standard Gear. Been real happy with it thus far.

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I spoke with these guys as well, I really like the idea of not needing to cut my driveshaft.

How does the shifting feel? Are they still notchy?

a bit off subject but if you get a magnum for the love of god rtv the shifter, no gaskets. Ive got a little leak due to this and to fix it will require dropping the damn trans (shifter is too big to pull up through the tunnel and can't access the front bolts either). Ive talked to a few others with the same issue

DSG2003Mach1 said:

a bit off subject but if you get a magnum for the love of god rtv the shifter, no gaskets. Ive got a little leak due to this and to fix it will require dropping the damn trans (shifter is too big to pull up through the tunnel and can't access the front bolts either). Ive talked to a few others with the same issue

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Thanks for the advice I'll be ordering the magnum later this week with a few upgrades from tick, and I have a tube of rtv at all times so no problems there.

Stage 4.6 said:

I spoke with these guys as well, I really like the idea of not needing to cut my driveshaft.

How does the shifting feel? Are they still notchy?

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It's a little notchy when cold but really smooths out once warm. High rpm shifting is silky smooth.

Good to know, appreciate the info.

jwcobra03 said:

It's a little notchy when cold but really smooths out once warm. High rpm shifting is silky smooth.

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+1 after I broke it in dumped the cheap stuff and switched to Amsoil. Made the cold shifting better, was always good when warm though.

I've tried most of the oils on my transmission. Amsoil SS,Tranzilla fluid,Tremecs Newest,Synchromax,Pennzoil, and Carquest Dextron III ATF. The cheapest is the Carquest from Advanced and my personal favorite. Have a friend who T56 magnumXL swapped his 2014 5.0. He likes the Carquest best also. Ran Royal Purple synchromesh on my stock T56 and that was the favorite on it. Cold shifting was notchy but once warmed, it was good to go. Amsoil SS was also very good on the stock trans.

jwcobra03 said:

I've tried most of the oils on my transmission. Amsoil SS,Tranzilla fluid,Tremecs Newest,Synchromax,Pennzoil, and Carquest Dextron III ATF. The cheapest is the Carquest from Advanced and my personal favorite. Have a friend who T56 magnumXL swapped his 2014 5.0. He likes the Carquest best also. Ran Royal Purple synchromesh on my stock T56 and that was the favorite on it. Cold shifting was notchy but once warmed, it was good to go. Amsoil SS was also very good on the stock trans.

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Yeah used Carquest on break in, no complaints just thought I should use something "better" (more expensive lol). I thought the Amsoil was a touch smoother when cold but could just be my head justifying the extra cost. Honestly don't know what's in it now. Gave the shop a gallon of Amsoil to put in when they put the driveshaft in, its still in my trunk. Those guys don't pay attention to anything.

DSG2003Mach1 said:

a bit off subject but if you get a magnum for the love of god rtv the shifter, no gaskets. Ive got a little leak due to this and to fix it will require dropping the damn trans (shifter is too big to pull up through the tunnel and can't access the front bolts either). Ive talked to a few others with the same issue

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@CobraBob was selling a gasket at one time, I have one on my Magnum with zero leaks.

Some aftermarket shifters leak worse than others from what I've read and I know some people have issues with the stock one. I have a bowler nightstick on mine but looking to switch to the shifter from SS/T

offroadkarter said:

@CobraBob was selling a gasket at one time, I have one on my Magnum with zero leaks.

Some aftermarket shifters leak worse than others from what I've read and I know some people have issues with the stock one. I have a bowler nightstick on mine but looking to switch to the shifter from SS/T

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Im using the tremec red base shifter on my new edge. The gasket has been on mine for 6-8 years if I had to guess. It seems like it compressed with age, even re-snugged its not completely sealing (which may be a byproduct of some less than stellar machine work on the trans and or shifter making it worse). If I could get the shifter off to inspect, clean and retorque I wouldn't care at all. Whenever the trans comes out it'll get RTVd for sure (unless it gets worse but damn Id hate to pull it just for that)