Common Manual Transmission Options with LS Engine?

[Luke87gt]

Hi guys,

What are the common manual transmission options that the LS guys are using these days? Following would be important:

- 5 or 6sp (6sp preferred)
- can be pulled off an oem vehicle for simplicity/cost
- commonly utilized with LS swaps
- budget friendly always a plus

I haven’t decided what direction to go (keep 250 i6, swap takeout 350, BP 396+, or just go straight to LS which is something I’ve always wanted to do - LS3 or L33 based).

Thank you

[Rust_never_sleeps]

There aren't a lot of practical arguments against the LS swap.
Most of the reasons to stick with an older motor are because it's fun to tinker with something different, or for nostalgia

[hewittca]

I am in to see what transmissions everyone suggests. When I built my truck with an LS swap I went manual transmission with budget being the limiting factor. This lead me to the NV3500 out of an early 2000s Blazer. I was able to pull the transmission from a junkyard for a couple hundred bucks. All I did to it was clean it up and change the trans fluid. I used all standard GM components for the flywheel, clutch, throwout bearing, and master cylinder. This transmission is sufficient for a straight up "junkyard LS swap" where you basically run the engine with no power mods. It's also a truck transmission so you definitely get to row some gears. For getting my build moving under its own power I am happy with this transmission, however, I do wish I had something a little more durable that I could beat on every once in a while.

[LS short box]

I've used both a TKO 600 5 speed and Tremec 6 speed in a couple projects. Both worked worked well.
I think hot set up today is the TKX 5 speed. Fits the trans tunnel better due its more rounded on the top. And rated for some pretty good power.
I tend to over build stuff. Planning for future power mods.
Other thing to consider is your tire diameter and rear gear ratio.
On my 68 C10 with the 6 speed I ran 20" wheels/tires and 4:10 gears. Unless I was on the free way I never had to use 6th.

[Luke87gt]

Thank you

What about a run of the mill t56 pit of an Fbody Camaro?

[PbFut]

Pretty much anything will fit. You need to decide if gearing is in your range of needs. The tremic trans are hard to beat. Very strong and lots of shifter position options. You can even bolt up a old Muncie if you want. It requires a correct bell housing but you can use a mechanical clutch. I don't know if there is a mechanical option for the newer typical LS bolt on trannys. You might have to do a mod to go hydrolic. I put a Jerico dog box, (think Muncie 4sp.) behind a LS2 with 7" clutch and flywheel in a BMW. Anything is possible with enough will to figure out the needed combos.

[KQQL IT]

Tkx in a 56 bel air for a future LS activities.
Fit like it belongs there.

[CAMAROBOY68SS]

Originally Posted by Luke87gt

Thank you

What about a run of the mill t56 pit of an Fbody Camaro?

You just have to watch your shifter location on a F body unit. They are set really far back with no real option to move them forward like a aftermarket Tremec and I think you will need a high hump for that one.

I stuck a new TKX in my truck this winter along with a new small block. I had a car Muncie 4 speed prior. The TKX fit perfect with the low hump and the hole where my old shifter fit was almost dead on with the TKX, needed a little trimming, but I didn't need to move my boot at all.

[72SB]

OP

LS/TKX is basically the go to combo for older cars/trucks. The Magnum is a 6 speed and does have a forward shifter position, but you likely would need to raise tunnel as its a big trans

IDK if Silver Sport or American Power Train make a conversion kit for the C10. I bought my T56 from D&D performance for another, non C10, auto to stick swap if you are just shopping for a Tremec. D&D are about the largest Tremec dealer.

[LS short box]

There is a guy on this forum "Captain Fab" that I bought the hydraulic clutch parts from for my T56/LS6 swap in my 68 C10.
I used a LS7 Corvette clutch/flywheel kit. 2002 Camaro slave cylinder. Tick speed bleeder. ARP flywheel bolts because the bolt diameter is an odd ball size.
2002 Camaro bell housing. High hump trans cover.
Worked perfect.
Pic of the shifter tower coming thru the floor. Pic of the fire wall with clutch master.
My .02 on a used 2002 T56? Unless the seller can show receipts for a recent total rebuild by a known trans builder I wouldn't touch it.

[72SB]

yeah any used modern manual trans....your Mother was not likely the P.O.

[Pick8208]

Another vote for the TKX. It's like a TKO that has the shift feel of a Magnum/Super Magnum/T56. Stout and small. Good for 600 lb-ft. Several ratios available.

Check with Silver Sport. I used their 67-72 C10 kit behind the 6.0 in my ’67, which included a front-mount shifter, new pedal, clutch and flywheel, bellhousing, the hydraulics and the crossmember/mount. The kit included break-in oil for the trans, regular oil to be swapped later and DOT4 fluid for the clutch.

Their reproduction 621 bellhousing has the provision for a mechanical clutch, too. All of it would fit under a low-hump floor in the C10 — but I swapped to a high hump anyway...