Tremec’s New Magnum Six-Speed Will Separate Your Classic Ford From The Rest Of The Herd
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 Ford transmission swaps.
Directed squarely at the performance aftermarket, the T-56 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 T-56, which itself was hardly limp-wristed.
If you have questions call, we’re happy to help 208-453-9800
Another advantage shared with the “basic” T-56 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 either a mod-motor or small-block (5.0L/5.8L) housing, but we’ve also seen various online outlets advertising matching big-block Ford bell-housings.
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.
Current retail is around $3,895.00, which is only about $600 more than the current TKO five-speed.
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) |