Author Topic: Anyone install a T56 magnum with Hooker shift hump?  (Read 2222 times)

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Offline Angelo

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Anyone install a T56 magnum with Hooker shift hump?
« on: June 02, 2019, 09:25:43 AM »
Has anyone installed a t-56 Magnum (new aftermarket transmission) with the Hooker t-56 shift hump?   https://www.holley.com/products/ls_power/ls_swap_systems/1970-81_gm_f-body_ls_swap_components/parts/71223008HKR I wonder how it fits under a factory console and if it works with the automatic or manual console.

Only write up I could find is on nastyz28, no feedback on center console though: http://nastyz28.com/threads/hooker-t56-shifter-hump.305975/

I am installing a t-56 magnum with this hump in the coming weeks, it is going with my Pontiac 400 with a Weir BOP Bellhousing.
81' (78 clone), House of Kolor Jet Set Black, Pontiac 400 built by DCI Motorsports, FiTech EFI, Tremec 6 speed, 3.73 rear, YearOne 17" snowflake, Pro Touring F-body GT shocks/springs, hydroboost, factory 4 disc, Ram Air Resto + Thrust transverse exhaust.

Offline Angelo

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Re: Anyone install a T56 magnum with Hooker shift hump?
« Reply #1 on: June 04, 2020, 04:01:11 PM »
Updating my own thread. I have used the Hooker shifter hump with a T56 with a Pontiac V8 successfully. Entire write up with photos is on my blog: http://www.modsandrods.tv/2020/02/16/installing-a-brand-new-t56-magnum-into-a-2nd-gen-firebird-trans-am-with-pontiac-v8/
81' (78 clone), House of Kolor Jet Set Black, Pontiac 400 built by DCI Motorsports, FiTech EFI, Tremec 6 speed, 3.73 rear, YearOne 17" snowflake, Pro Touring F-body GT shocks/springs, hydroboost, factory 4 disc, Ram Air Resto + Thrust transverse exhaust.

Offline Uglybob

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Re: Anyone install a T56 magnum with Hooker shift hump?
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2021, 09:20:40 PM »
Sorry for a bit of a thread dig, but I'm glad I stumbled across this.  I want to stuff a T56 behind the 350 olds in my 77 Bird and was wondering about tunnel clearance.  From your pics, it looks like the only part that protrudes through the tunnel is the shifter box, which the tunnel hump fixes.

Around how high does the rear of the box poke past the floor?  It looks like it's around an inch.

Offline Angelo

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Re: Anyone install a T56 magnum with Hooker shift hump?
« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2021, 08:46:28 AM »
It is the aftermarket Tremec Magnum 6 speed transmission and in my case it is about 1" maybe less once I got the crossmember installed.

In 2020 things got more complicated with the T56 transmissions as there are 3 to pick from...

  • T56 made by Borg Warner found in the 4th gen F body cars - Reportedly this transmission in some cases will clear except where teh shifter comes through, other cases it will require more clearance.
  • Tremec Magnum 6 speed - Aftermarket Tremec transmission that has been available for 10+ years, used in this thread/conversation
  • Tremec Magnum "F" 6 speed (Magnum with the 4th gen tail housing with shifter) - This will put the shifter in the same spot as the 4 th gen, but see my note below.

When I talked to Tremec, they make it clear to me that their transmission is not a "T56", not sure if that is a copyright thing or to try to eliminate confusion, or because their transmission is better than the originals, but there are some differences.

Some things to point out that are different: There are 3 shift positions on the Magnum sold by Tremec. The forward most plate, if you wanted to use this shifter position, requires you to buy a special shifter that fits that location as well as a block off plate for where the shifter is positioned normally. The further back shift positions are easy to change, just flip the shifter 180 degrees. Anyway extra details that do not matter, the first shift plate was also found on the original T56. The only thing is GM used a thin plate in that location, where-as Tremec used a very thick plate, almost 1/4" thick or more. In other words, what ever celarance there is left with a T56 from the 90's, it may not exist with the Magnum F version.

Al intensive purposes the Magnum F and the T56 from the 90's are the same, except for the following: tail-shaft has different spline count; transmission mount is recessed, I think its 3/4" (cross member kits come with a plate to adapt for this  situation); does not have the skip shift feature; stronger built than they were in the 90's.

ref: https://tremec-blog.com/introducing-the-tremec-magnum-f-6-speed-for-3rd-and-4th-gen-f-bodies/

If you are doing an LS swap, I would say consider a Magnum F for your swap, as long as you mount the engine forward 1", which I believe you would need to so you don't have to modify the cross member for the accessories, you will actually be moving the shifter forward 1.5" giving you plenty of shifter hum clearance. If you sen photos of people who do the swap with a 90's T56, it puts the shifter right where the automatic level would go, which is perfect ergonomically. If I was using the mounts that put the engine at the same position, which more recently seems to be the trend, I would go with the Magnum 6 speed with this shifter hump.

If you are using a BOP engine like it sounds you will be, keep in mind that the bell housing will be 6" thick (rather than 5.5" for a factory BOP bell) and will move the transmission another 1/2" back (like in my case). That 1/2". I am afraid to say that a Magnum F will most likely require a lot of cutting of the floor, though it will be all from about where the shifter comes up and possibly 2 ears where the forward shift plate is. If your confident with a hammer you could add clearance where the forward shift plate with some strategic dents in the floor.

Easier way to say it, I would go with a Magnum 6 speed for a BOP swap and any LS swap where your getting special accessory setup to clear your front sub frame, and I would consider the Magnum "F" 6 speed if I was doing an LS swap and mounting it 1" forward.
81' (78 clone), House of Kolor Jet Set Black, Pontiac 400 built by DCI Motorsports, FiTech EFI, Tremec 6 speed, 3.73 rear, YearOne 17" snowflake, Pro Touring F-body GT shocks/springs, hydroboost, factory 4 disc, Ram Air Resto + Thrust transverse exhaust.

Offline Nexus

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Re: Anyone install a T56 magnum with Hooker shift hump?
« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2021, 02:10:49 PM »
Very cool sir!!
Charlie
1979 - Esprit (21 years and counting)

Offline Uglybob

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Re: Anyone install a T56 magnum with Hooker shift hump?
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2021, 04:19:32 PM »
Thanks for the input.  I'm in Australia, so I'll be sourcing a gearbox from a Holden Commodore, which they sold briefly in the US as a GTO.  I've previously installed a TKO into a C3 vette, so I understand all the technical part of the swap, just not clearance to everything as it's obviously a different car.

Offline Angelo

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Re: Anyone install a T56 magnum with Hooker shift hump?
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2021, 02:22:54 PM »
The 2004-2006 GTO is a sweet car! I believe it's the same transmission physically as the 4th gen but I believe they have better internals and a different shifter. You don't want this shifter hump for that transmission. Assuming you are using factory sub frame bushings, you should just need to cut a hole for the shifter, fab a plate, then make a bezel for an automatic console and you'll be golden.

In my 2000 Trans Am I got a MGW shifter and I can't stress enough how big of an improvement it was. If you can add that cake to your t56 you will smile with every shift I guarantee it. It makes the T56 feel like a precision Ferrari transmission. You may need an aftermarket shifter anyway as I believe the GTO shifter has an offset to it that puts the shifter further back into the car which may put the shifter too far inward in a 2nd gen.

Do the T56's have the skip shift system in them in Australia? Here in the states if you shift lightly in brisk traffic it forces you to go from 1st to 4th for fuel economy. Another mod I did to my 2000 was the skip shift eliminator. The Tremec Magnum aftermarket transmission does not have this luckily.
81' (78 clone), House of Kolor Jet Set Black, Pontiac 400 built by DCI Motorsports, FiTech EFI, Tremec 6 speed, 3.73 rear, YearOne 17" snowflake, Pro Touring F-body GT shocks/springs, hydroboost, factory 4 disc, Ram Air Resto + Thrust transverse exhaust.