Let's Dream Big Here: 6 Speed Transmisson

90lxwhite

I'm kind of a She-Man
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Aug 25, 2011
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I have a stock t5 in my 95 w 3.73 gears and I'm really missing having a "hwy" gear. It feels like I can accelerate forever in 5th now which is kinda cool but sucks when I'm just trying to cruise. If I had a 6 speed would I have my overdrive back? I've played with a few of the calculators and it didn't seem like the 6th gear would drop the cruise rpms all that much.
 
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That depends on the specs of the 6-speed you choose. The T56 Magnum that is currently produced has two different gear sets available with final drive ratios of .63 (with a 2.77 first) and .50 (with a 2.97 first). The T5 final drive ratio for the 5.0 from 1985 and up was .68. Obviously, the .50 T56 would be the one you want if you want a more highway-oriented top gear.

Magnum 6-Speed Transmission
 
:shrug:Or just change the ring & pinion

Now if your t5 is getting used and abused and it's time for a new trans, the t56 w/.50 overdrive would be a great idea. You'll really never have to worry about the trans again.
 
:shrug:Or just change the ring & pinion

Now if your t5 is getting used and abused and it's time for a new trans, the t56 w/.50 overdrive would be a great idea. You'll really never have to worry about the trans again.
$2500+ for a t56 or less than $500 for a ring and pinion change.....I don't think you'd miss the slight acceleration difference that much.

Changing ring gear might be easier


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Ha yeah I know I know. Yall don't think 3.27 or 3.31's would be too wimpy? And also I was playing w an rpm/rear gear calc and the 3.31 was only like 300 rpm's less at 70 mph. So I dunno if they'd even be worth the 500 bucks and I'm pretty sure I don't wanna go has high as 3.08. As far as the t5 that's in it now, it has over 300k mi but it has never been "power shifted" and it lived with the stock power level most of its life with the 2.73 rear up until recently. A 6 speed isn't likely to happen anytime soon so what I'm really mulling over in my head is is the difference between 2,400 and 2,100 rpm's at 70 mph really worth $500..? Bah I dunno
 
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That's basically all the difference would be in a t56 with a .5 6th gear. But to answer your question; no, I don't think a 3.31 would be "too whimpy". Especially considering yours came with 2.73's. Even if the T56 dropped your rpm's another 500, would all that money really be worth it? I can think of a handful of ways to spend that money, rather than on an overkill trans. That's just my opinion though.
 
As you bump your HP levels up more and more, you'll appreciate the lower ring gear as well.

3.73's are nice on stock cars, but i always felt they were way too short. Increase the HP and you'll come ot appreciate 3.08's and 3.27's.
 
I have 3.73:1 gears in my 08' Bullitt. With a 275/40/18 I am only spinning 2,300 rpm @ 70mph. At only 60mph it drops to 2,000rpm. It is not unreasonable at all. In fact I can pull 27mpg cruising at 65mph all day long. What is not to like with 3.73:1. On another note, I have 3.27:1 gears in the 01' Stang and with the same size 275/40/18 tire the rpm @ 70mph is only 2,000rpm. But hell, that is a V-6 5 speed car, under powered for sure. But it will get 32-33 mpg at 70mph so go figure.
 
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Or you could just put a 28" tire on it. I dont see how a 3.73 is not a good highway gear regardless...
because cruising around 2,500 rpms gets old. It's not so much the exhsust drone that gets old it's just the feeling of the motor stitting in the powerband and wanting to "pull" and how it engine brakes when I let off. It feels like I'm running the hwy in say 4th gear needing to go to 5th.
 
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My old 89 had a T5z gear set in it with a .63 5th. I had 4.10's in the rear with 26" tall tires and it cruised very nice at 75mph. I think if you put a T-56 in the car with a .50 6th you will almost never use it with 3.73's. With 26" tall tires at 75mph that works out to 1800 rpms, that is nearly lugging the motor at that speed.
 
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My old 89 had a T5z gear set in it with a .63 5th. I had 4.10's in the rear with 26" tall tires and it cruised very nice at 75mph. I think if you put a T-56 in the car with a .50 6th you will almost never use it with 3.73's. With 26" tall tires at 75mph that works out to 1800 rpms, that is nearly lugging the motor at that speed.
Hm taller tires huh.?? Right now I have 255/40/17 so that's what like 25"? Maybe when it's time for a new set I should try a little taller one?