t45 to t56 swap?

[cold96snake]

There's 3 of us this board contemplating this switch (Smokin35s, tygr1, and myself). So I thought I'd make this new post to consolidate.
Anyone do this? What fits(i.e. will an '03 Cobra tranny bolt right in, a vette one?)? Whats needed? Computer need reflashing? DDperformance sells the trannys and swap kits, but for both it'd be around $2700. Any better prices? What gear ratio would give me close to the same ratio in 1st, 2nd and 3rd? ETC. ETC. ETC.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[djtech]

The T56 is a great street trans. I love everything about it except the too tall first gear. I'd love to get the 6th gear swapped for the .50 and go 4.56's but I'd probably kill my car. Right now I don't launch fast because I have an aluminum flywheel (very light, revs like a maniac) that doesn't have much hit on that tall ass first gear. I'm still glad I did the swap though.

I bought an 03 cobra t56 w/ 50 miles on it for $1500. I had to buy a new clutch setup, new driveshaft and other misc pieces. It bolts up just fine.

There's 3 of us this board contemplating this switch (Smokin35s, tygr1, and myself). So I thought I'd make this new post to consolidate.
Anyone do this? What fits(i.e. will an '03 Cobra tranny bolt right in, a vette one?)? Whats needed? Computer need reflashing? DDperformance sells the trannys and swap kits, but for both it'd be around $2700. Any better prices? What gear ratio would give me close to the same ratio in 1st, 2nd and 3rd? ETC. ETC. ETC.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[99SVTAddict]

I got a Viper Spec T56 from D&D....has to go back again. 4th gear went after 600 or so miles...."customer abuse"....tranny now has 200 miles on it and the same thing is happening. Doesn't want to come out of forth gear periodically....last time it locked into 4th at the track. This time I'm cruising around at 50mph and just went to put it in 5th gear....not too happy. I will not be paying 1 cent this time

BTW, I NEVER abused this tranny.....granny shifting the whole time.

 

[djtech]

Man sorry to hear of your probs. Walsh Motorsports put mine in for me and I have not had one problem. I beat the piss outta mine but I have a lot less power than you. Hell I beat the piss out of my T45 and it held up just fine.

What did they charge you last time they did service? Is Walsh doing the work for you too? I talked with Donnie Jr. and felt they treated me well. Things do change when breakage occurs and someone has to pay though.

I got a Viper Spec T56 from D&D....has to go back again. 4th gear went after 600 or so miles...."customer abuse"....tranny now has 200 miles on it and the same thing is happening. Doesn't want to come out of forth gear periodically....last time it locked into 4th at the track. This time I'm cruising around at 50mph and just went to put it in 5th gear....not too happy. I will not be paying 1 cent this time

BTW, I NEVER abused this tranny.....granny shifting the whole time.

 

[99SVTAddict]

Got the trans from D&D....Alternative Auto put it in.

The problem is in the assembly of the trans. Last time I paid $265 and they said it was the synchro...I think....and it was bent because of abuse.

Well, funny, after 200 miles of easy driving (new engine, clutch, and tranny) it is doing the same thing it did before...so "abuse" my as$!

All transactions were done through Alternative Auto so they will have to deal with it....all I know is I'm not spending 1 penny...

Lidio always treats me right and I'm sure he will do what it takes once again. I just can't understand why D&D didn't get it right the first time.

 

[cold96snake]

Well, here's my plan for my daily driver.
1) Get a tranny working right.
2) Put in a centrifrugal blower.
3) When my engine finally gives from the boost (hopefully not for 3-4 years), then rebuild it w/all forged internals/bottom end.
4) suspension for a not so daily driver.

Now heres the problem. Do I get the blower now and rebuild the t45 a number of times because it probably will need it w/ the extra torque (it's a pos now w/ 4.10's and otherwise stock), or be patient and get a t56 now and then put in the blower next year.

 

[cold96snake]

Got the trans from D&D....Alternative Auto put it in.

The problem is in the assembly of the trans. Last time I paid $265 and they said it was the synchro...I think....and it was bent because of abuse.

Well, funny, after 200 miles of easy driving (new engine, clutch, and tranny) it is doing the same thing it did before...so "abuse" my as$!

All transactions were done through Alternative Auto so they will have to deal with it....all I know is I'm not spending 1 penny...

Lidio always treats me right and I'm sure he will do what it takes once again. I just can't understand why D&D didn't get it right the first time.

Or maybe not the t56. Damn, I thought they were bullet proof.

 

[99CobraJMS]

Man, I also thought the T56 (Viper edition) was a strong mother. I was going that route the next time I toasted my T45 and getting it from D&D.

John

 

[djtech]

Interesting... Who told you it was a syncro bent & that the assembly was at fault? From my limited knowlegde about the internals of transmissions, a syncro could be chipped and a shift fork could be bent. An improper shift can bend a shift fork or ruin a syncro.

I'm not saying you did this, just looking at it from the perspective of the company doing the work for you. Obviously alternative auto wouldn't want to tell you that the installation was at fault.

Good luck I hope they treat you right. Keep us informed I'm sure I'll have t56 work done some day.

Got the trans from D&D....Alternative Auto put it in.

The problem is in the assembly of the trans. Last time I paid $265 and they said it was the synchro...I think....and it was bent because of abuse.

Well, funny, after 200 miles of easy driving (new engine, clutch, and tranny) it is doing the same thing it did before...so "abuse" my as$!

All transactions were done through Alternative Auto so they will have to deal with it....all I know is I'm not spending 1 penny...

Lidio always treats me right and I'm sure he will do what it takes once again. I just can't understand why D&D didn't get it right the first time.

 

[djtech]

I understand your concerns about the T45 -- I had the same ones at a lower power level (than you would be boosted). In hindsight I think it is a very strong trans. Sure the syncro's can't hold up to constant powershifting at high RPM but will you need to do that as often with boost?

Well, here's my plan for my daily driver.
1) Get a tranny working right.
2) Put in a centrifrugal blower.
3) When my engine finally gives from the boost (hopefully not for 3-4 years), then rebuild it w/all forged internals/bottom end.
4) suspension for a not so daily driver.

Now heres the problem. Do I get the blower now and rebuild the t45 a number of times because it probably will need it w/ the extra torque (it's a pos now w/ 4.10's and otherwise stock), or be patient and get a t56 now and then put in the blower next year.

 

[chuckystang]

TRANSMISSIONS JUST PLAIN SUCK! What a headache, I had the same problem with my trans shop telling me I damaged the synchros and bla, bla, bla, even though I did not and it only took about 2k miles to break my t45 again. But now they rebuilt again under warranty. No problems yet thank god! Because If I keep breaking trannys, I ll have to abandon the mustang world for awhile, because I don't have $3k to spend a year on a tranny And its very upsetting to hear about these bullit proff t56 tranny's going bad. WHAT THE HELL ARE WE SUPPOSE TO USE LOL Drivetrain problems seem to be a curse, once you got em, you always will have em lol

 

[fiveofanatic]

A friend of mine has had to have his Viper-spec T56 rebuilt, but to be fair, the car is making close to 700 rwhp. I can't fault D&D's trans for that.

 

[Smokin35s]

Thanks for all the info. One more question does the cross member work for the t-56 on my 99 cobra?

 

[99SVTAddict]

Well, the trans did the same thing again....stuck in 4th gear. After 200 miles of babying the car.....I dont' care who's fault it is, I told them I'm not spending 1 penny.

Anyway, you will need a new cross member, which D&D sells.

 

[cold96snake]

Well, the trans did the same thing again....stuck in 4th gear. After 200 miles of babying the car.....I dont' care who's fault it is, I told them I'm not spending 1 penny.

Anyway, you will need a new cross member, which D&D sells.

Wow, that sucks.

 

[5.0's 4 ever]

Does anyone know of other companies that offer a T56 conversion kit? It seems like its limited to D&D but they are pretty expensive for components. They have good deals on trans and other stuff but their install kits seem to be a ripoff, over $600 for a driveshaft and a crossmember