Stu's81

My 81 has a T-10 trans and was thinking of swapping in a stock T56, which trans is stronger stock to stock for a street car?
I plan on a mild big block going in late summer and would like to do everything at once if I swap trans too.

MIKE80

The T56 is stronger. Trust me, you will like the 6 speed.

Stu's81

I planned on a overdrive trans eventually and doing it at the same time makes sense to me. My rear gear ratio is 3:54 will this be to low for 1st gear?

MIKE80

1st gear I think you would be alright. I have a 3.70 rear and in 6th gear at 60 mph I'm at about 1550 rpms and I think about 2250 in 5th. I would say a 3.70, 3.90, or 4.11 would be the best choices for the T56. Also, I have 25.55" tall tires, different from the stock size.

vette427-sbc

T56!
I have 3.55's in my car and I think its perfect. I have a GTO T56 so my first gear is a 2.97 vs 2.6x though

Keeping up with traffic (80+ on the garden state parkway ) Im at around 2000RPM. One of the top "driving" mods Ive done to the car.

My other car (55 chevy) has a T56 with the 2.6x first gear and 3.90 rear. It had 4.11's but that made first gear way to short

63mako

I would go with the close ratio T56. The .50 6th gear with 3.55 would be useless with a carbed car unless you drive 100.

Stu's81

Engine will be fuel injected with either a stock modified manifold or a Edelbrock pro-flo manifold I ordered, but it's backordered.
Everything engine wise is ready to assemble once the weather gets above 20*F.....LOL

jerome1979

That was my old set up now with a 4.33 it's far better !!! but keep in mind i have a SBC for a BBC it's a different story.

Gordonm

I also have a T56 from an 06 GTO and with a 3.70 rear I find it perfect. I was running a fuel injected Gen1 SB. And now have an LS3. I agree for a car bed motor the 6th gear might be to much but injected is the way to go now.