98 GT tranny swap need advice

98gttorque · Jul 6, 2010

I have a 98 GT with stock tranny automatic. What I want to do is convert it to Manual and put a clutch in. The T-56 tranny is what I want to put in, is it a smart choice or is there something better? I want to use it as a daily driver for a bit while I upgrade my engine etc.... but soon it will be just a weekend cruiser and some track time.

Jrgunn5150 · Jul 6, 2010

Sure is, expect to pay for it though.

duff daddy · Jul 7, 2010

the t56 is good, but the od ratio in the t-45 is pretty good as well and 1st gear is a better ratio for drag racing.

Jrgunn5150 · Jul 7, 2010

You can build a T56 with a 2.97 first and a .62 6th if you wanted too, but it sucks power, and they don't like to be power shifted much.

98gttorque · Jul 7, 2010

So I should stay with my T-45? You think that would be a better move?

Jrgunn5150 · Jul 7, 2010

I think you should leave the auto in it, since it doesn't cost you anything, you already paid for it.

Shane · Jul 7, 2010

I did this swap and it was alot of headache and money.

Pedal assembly
cable
flywheel
transmission & wiring harness
clutch
rear yoke and u joint
lower boot, upper boot,
You have to cut the floor for the transmission, you also need a transmission mount and cross member, or you will have to modify the stock crosmember, which i did and was a pain in the ass to get it to fit right.

Get gears and keep it auto.

Make sure your buying a 96-98 trans, Prestige Mustang sent me a 99-04 trans instead and the only way I could get my speedo to work correctly was with a speedcal.

Jrgunn5150 · Jul 7, 2010

Yep by the time your done and factor in your time and effort, you could sell your car and get a 5 speed car easier.

reivaxtorres · Jul 7, 2010

i love the t56 in my car. yes, you can feel the difference in 1st gear, it doesnt have the same snap as the t45, but its a lot stronger, feels firmer, and just shifts easier i think. the pros of the t56 outweigh the cons of the t56, i think anyways.

now, a few things to remmeber on the t56 swap: you need to modify the crossmember and/or the crossmember location. not an easy task. you also need to figure out the reverse lock-out feature, once again not an easy task. also, the speed sensors are different, electrical vs mechanical, so you need the pigtail for the t56 harness, and you need the speedcal (extended) to make it work.

only reason i did the swap: i got a killer deal on the t56

Willis_98GT · Jul 7, 2010

Yeah if you have a transmission guru you can have the right gears put in the t56 to make it not fall on its face threw first like their rumored to do.

you will get way better highway miles too.

Jrgunn5150 · Jul 8, 2010

T56's are fine, but this guys car is stone stock. Hardly the first place to start.

98gttorque · Jul 8, 2010

Ya the car isnt bone stock, I have cold air intake pi intake im buying Romeo PI cams when I find them, and im planning on more. I want to make this car a weekly driver and track ready. Thats why I wanted to convert it to stick, I have a mechanice (Fiancee's uncle) who does work all the time and is a pro and will do it for me for free but if its that much of a hassle for the tranny I think im going to re think it.

NXcoupe · Jul 9, 2010

All this talk of custom T56's, you don't have to do that. Tremec just launched a line of Magnum T56's with great first gear ratios and 5th and 6th gear ratios that are very competitively priced. You will most likely have to buy it new tho, as they haven't been out for very long. And as a warning, I have seen idiots saying they have T56 magnums for sale used on the corral and other spots when they are in fact just plain ole cobra style T56's which for an n/a 4.6 absolutely suck. The magnum's also come with both types of speedo drive so that is not a problem as well as the skpshift/lockout is not there either, and not on fords as well period.

RockstarMentality · Jul 9, 2010

i love my t56. just throw some 4.10s or 4.30s out back to compensate for the tall first gear.
pros: 6 gears for MPGs, 1-2-3 ratios (in relation to each other) are perfect IMO, shifts super smooth, stronger than a t45, "6 speed" just sounds better than "5 speed", does in fact have a mech speedo gear...
cons: have to modify crossmember, 4th could be a little shorter, 6th could be a little longer, dont really like R position, and $$$, $$$, $$$.

Reason i did the swap: i fuckin wanted to and i didnt need a better reason

Jrgunn5150 · Jul 11, 2010

NXcoupe said:
All this talk of custom T56's, you don't have to do that. Tremec just launched a line of Magnum T56's with great first gear ratios and 5th and 6th gear ratios that are very competitively priced.

I don't think 2800 is competitive with 1300-1600 for a Cobra take out. They are nice units but no matter how you cut it you're not getting one in your car for less than 2k, and I personally can think of a ton of ways to spend 2k going faster before the 4r70w is holding you back.

Also, I guess I'm the only one, but the reverse lockout has never bother me, I just push it through, but a 3 dollar freeze plug will fix it anyway, just don't get tired and keep shifting after 6th gear.