Viper T56 vs Ford T56

[OrlandoStang]

I'm looking into getting a T56 but I'm not sure which one is better for my application & cost. Here is what I have gathered.

Ford T56
2.97/2.07/1.43/1.00/.80/.62 440 lbs capacity
Wide Ratio, Same Overdrive as stock, May pull harder than Viper?
$2700

Viper T56
2.66/1.78/1.30/1.00/.74/.50 650 lbs capacity
Close Ratio, Nice Overdrive, May get better gas milage?
$3700

Assuming both are using the same gear (say 4.10s) it would reason that the Ford T56 would pull harder, but with that comes worse gas milage. The Viper has a great torque rating, but I am still NA and I dont see me making over 440 lbs anytime soon. Both prices are from D&D Performance for the installation kit w/tranny. What do you guys think? I know some of you have the viper version, I'd like to know why you chose that one over the Ford T56. I appriciate any feedback. Thanks.

BTW: My goal is more of a road race car than a drag car if that matters at all.

 

[5.0's 4 ever]

I run the viper spec T56 in my cobra. The main factors for me was the viper is stronger and I wanted the double overdrive. I didn't see the point on getting the cobra version when its 6th gear was barely a better overdrive then a lot of 5 speeds out there. I also gained 2mpg in the city and on the highway going with the viper spec over my t45. I built the car with a goal in mind of hitting 800hp with a turbo and I felt the viper T56 would be the best manual trans for it.

 

[99SVTAddict]

Staying n/a, go with the Ford.

The Viper tranny with a 2.66 first gear and 4.10's is gonna feel slow. I have 4.30's and over 500 rwhp and it feels "ok". The overdrive gear is nice on the Viper T-56 though.

I believe you could order a Ford T56 and have D&D put in a Viper 6th gear. I am not impressed with D&D's work though. I had problems twice with my Viper T56 from them. D&D basically converts a T56 into a Viper spec tranny.

My vote is easily for the Ford T56 for you.

 

[OrlandoStang]

99SVT
So for N/A you think the Ford t56 w/ 4.10s would be best?

If I went with the Viper I would definatly get 4.30s, but for $1k more I'm starting to think the Viper may not be worth the few extra MPG.

Thanks for the input.

 

[99SVTAddict]

There's some big number 03 Cobra's that have had no issues at all with their Ford T56 tranny.

4.10's would be a good choice too. You will take a little bit out of 1st gear too so you will be able to launch without too much drama.

The extra cost of the Viper tranny plus the 2.66 first gear makes the Ford tranny the easy choice. If I was to do it over again I would either go with the Ford T56 or an AODE.

 

[missouri_guy197]

03 Cobra's have the same ratios as what you listed for the Viper with the exception of the .50 6th gear and a .80 5th gear...

The Ford T56 you listed the ratios for is the Cobra R T56

Here's a good webpage that shows the differences with each tranny for different differential gear ratios

http://www.svtoa-atlanta.org/cgi-bin/trans.cgi

 

[Uncle Meat]

There's some big number 03 Cobra's that have had no issues at all with their Ford T56 tranny.

4.10's would be a good choice too. You will take a little bit out of 1st gear too so you will be able to launch without too much drama.

The extra cost of the Viper tranny plus the 2.66 first gear makes the Ford tranny the easy choice. If I was to do it over again I would either go with the Ford T56 or an AODE.

On the other hand many of the big HP 03/04 Cobra's have snapped the stock Ford 10 spline input shaft on their T56. Most have or do convert to the Viper 26 spline input shaft.

U.M.