Tremec’s T56 Magnum Six Speed Manual Gearbox

Tech | Transmission Upgrade
One need not possess the mathematical skills of Einstein to grasp the obvious advantages of a six-speed gearbox over any old-school three- or four-speed box. With a deep overdrive in Sixth gear, those manly 3.91 or 4.11 axle ratios in your classic muscle-bound Ford will effectively be whittled down to a far more highway-friendly size for economical, low-wear touring.
Meanwhile, on the way up, you’ve got a half-dozen nicely spaced gear ratios to assist in the engine’s accelerative efforts.

Till now, the unchallenged king of our six-speed go-to list has been Tremec’s faithful and familiar T56, which was first found in the Dodge Viper and eventually found a Ford home in the ’03/’04 supercharged Mustang Cobra. But a new kid in town is ascending to the throne: Tremec’s T56 Magnum, which is both notably stronger and more user-friendly than its predecessor when it comes to classic transmission swaps.

Directed squarely at the performance aftermarket, the T56 Magnum stuffs a re-engineered and strengthened T56 aluminum case full of the latest generation of gear-train internals from Tremec’s TR-6060 transmission-the OEM-specific six-speed whose variants roll off the production line in such current heavy hitters as the Shelby GT500, Dodge Viper, Cadillac CTS-V, Camaro SS, and SRT-8 Challenger. The result of this technology cross-breeding is a conservatively rated 700-lb-ft torque capacity blessed with OEM-quality shift characteristics, all in a package intended to be adaptable to many retrofit applications. And yes, we said a 700-lb-ft torque capacity-roughly 60 percent higher than that of the original aftermarket T56, which itself was hardly limp-wristed.

 

Another advantage shared with the “basic” T56 is that the Magnum is not limited by an integral bell-housing. Instead, its mid-plate bulkhead design means it can be paired with whatever clutch housing is best suited to your project. Currently, the Magnum is available from Modern Driveline paired with your power plant, we also provide everything you’ll need from the bellowing to the driveshaft for this upgrade.

OK, we can see that you’re ready to pull the trigger on a Magnum, but you still have one more choice to make, because it’s available with two different gear sets. The wide-ratio variant has a 2.97:1 First gear mellowing out to a 0.50:1 Sixth. Fans of closer ratios can opt for a version with a 2.66:1 First gear and a 0.63:1 top gear.

Full ratio specs are below.

 

Tremec T-56 Magnum Shifters

Part Number	Description	Notes
TUPC9633	Standard upright rear-shifter assembly	Original equipment replacement. Red anodized finish
TUPC9650	Standard upright mid-shifter assembly	Includes hardware, cover plate, and instructions
TUPC9655	2-inch offset rear-shifter assembly	Includes instructions uses existing mounting hardware
TUPC9656	1-inch offset rear-shifter assembly	Includes instructions uses existing mounting hardware
TUPC9658	2-inch offset mid-shifter assembly	Includes hardware, cover plate, and instructions
TUPC9659	1-inch offset mid-shifter assembly	Includes hardware, cover plate, and instructions
TUPC9643	2-inch rear-shifter offset lever kit	Includes upper & lower levers, link w/hardware, and instructions
TUPC9443	1-inch rear-shifter offset lever kit	Includes upper & lower levers, link w/hardware, and instructions
TUPC9441	2-inch mid-shifter offset lever kit	Includes upper & lower levers, link w/hardware, and instructions
TUPC9442	1-inch mid-shifter offset lever kit	Includes upper & lower levers, link w/hardware, and instructions

Tremec Magnum Transmission Fitment

Magnum	Engine	Clutch	Speedometer	Input/Output
Part Number		Type	Drive Type	Shaft Spline
TUET7478	Modular	Mech	Mech/Elec	26/31
TUET8274	Modular	Mech	Mech/Elec	26/31
TUET8272	Modular	Hyd	Mech/Elec	26/31
TUET8275	Modular	Hyd	Mech/Elec	26/31
TBA	5.0/5.8L	Mech	Mech/Elec	26/31
TBA	5.0/5.8L	Mech	Mech/Elec	26/31

 

Tremec Magnum Transmission Gear Ratios

Magnum	Ratios
Part Number	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	Reverse
TUET7478	2.66	1.78	1.30	1.00	0.80	0.63	2.90
TUET8274	2.97	2.10	1.46	1.00	0.74	0.50	2.90
TUET8272	2.66	1.78	1.30	1.00	0.80	0.63	2.90
TUET8275	2.97	2.10	1.46	1.00	0.74	0.50	2.90
TBA	2.66	1.78	1.30	1.00	0.80	0.63	2.90
TBA	2.97	2.10	1.46	1.00	0.74	0.50	2.90

 

Available Tremec Bell-housings

Part Number	Description
TNCM1078	T-56 Magnum, Ford 4.6/5.4L w/Mechanical Clutch
TNCM1078	T-56 Magnum, Ford 4.6/5.4L w/Hydraulic Clutch
1386-212-004	T-56 Magnum, Ford 5.0/5.8L w/Mechanical Clutch
(Other engine applications can be found in the aftermarket)