LS Swap T56 Magnum Conversion Kit | LS1, LS2, LS3 and More

• T56 transmission kit provides essentials to fit to your Gen 3 or 4 LS engine
• Includes 6-speed Tremec T56 manual transmission rated for 700 lb-ft of torque
• Fits all 6-bolt crankshaft Gen 3 and Gen 4 LS engine applications
• Matched performance 10-inch clutch and pressure plate supports 800 HP
• 168-tooth billet steel flywheel is SFI approved and uses stock or aftermarket starter
• Steel bellhousing and hydraulic clutch release bearing simplify installation
• Kit includes clutch, flywheel, and bellhousing bolts, pilot bearing, and more
• You will need to order the M10x1.5 transmission mounting bolts separately.

Everything You Need to Bolt Up a Modern 6-Speed to Your Gen 3 or Gen 4 LS Engine

Nothing says “muscle” like a manual shifter lever poking up through a car’s center console. “Rowing your own” is a rite of passage and a manual transmission is certainly the preferred transmission in the tunnel of a typical muscle car, hot rod, or even a souped up classic truck. That said, it isn’t always easy to figure out how to get a modern 5-speed (or 6-speed) manual bolted up to your engine of choice. Varying flywheel specs, engine balances, and more all create confusion as to what really fits and works best. That is why we have put together a whole series of LS manual transmission option conversion kits for the most popular engine applications in use today.

We take the guesswork out of which clutch to buy, what length fasteners are needed, and so much more with each of our transmission installation kits. Each kit features a modern Tremec 5-speed or 6-speed manual transmission, a steel bellhousing, performance clutch kit (disc, pressure plate, and flywheel), along with a hydraulic release bearing, pilot bearing, fasteners, and more to easily mate it to your favorite engine with no issues or forgotten parts. Simply add the appropriate transmission crossmember to your order and you’ll have everything you need to mount your transmission to your engine and into your chassis. You can learn more about LS transmission options in our LS swap transmissions Toolbox article.

Tremec’s T56 6-Speed Manual Transmission Is Proven Tough with Versatile Shifter Options

Our LS manual transmission swap kit features the Tremec Magnum 6-speed manual transmission as the main component. The Magnum, also known by its OEM name, the Tremec TR-6060, is extremely popular due to its end loading case design, which makes the overall dimensions of the transmission smaller, though it is larger than Tremec’s popular TKX 5-speed. This allows for a better fit in a larger number of applications without having to drastically modify the transmission tunnel of the vehicle. Furthermore, the three available shifter positions (two of which can use the included short throw billet shifter assembly simply by reversing the shifter body) allow for the shifter to use the stock shifter lever opening in your floor. Just add your choice of bolt-on shift lever. Dual speedometer pickups, one manual and one electric, means no matter what speedometer you are using you can easily connect it to the Magnum 6-speed. The T56 Magnum’s 700 lb-ft of torque capacity, coupled with high rpm shift ability means no missed shifts. Built in backup light switch (with wiring pigtail included) means not having to mess with external plunger-style backup light switches commonly found with older manual transmissions.

The Tremec T56 Magnum in our 6 speed conversion kit features wide gear facings with sintered bronze and carbon synchronizers not only increase the torque capacity while providing for buttery smooth shifts up to 7,800 rpm! To further strengthen the transmission and support its 700 lb-ft torque capacity, the T56 Magnum ships with a 26-spline input shaft and 31-spline output shaft. The Tremec TKX uses 2.7 quarts of Dexron III/Mercon spec ATF and is easily serviced via the fill and drain plugs located on the driver side of the transmission case. Tremec builds the T56 Magnum with a 2.66 First gear ratio and a street friendly .80 Fifth gear and .63 Sixth gear double OD ratios. The double overdrive ratios provide exceptional fuel mileage even with steep rear gears. For example, fitting 4.30 gears using the .63 Sixth gear overdrive is equivalent to having just a 2.73 gear ratio! Have some fun in First through Fourth and then hit Fifth or Sixth gear (depending upon road speed) for some fuel economy you never thought your ride would be capable of.

A Performance Clutch Package Constructed to Handle Up To 800 Horsepower

When you’re bolting up one of these high performance modern overdrive LS manual transmission options you want to do the job once and not have to pull the transmission back out because someone recommended the wrong clutch. This is why we put together our manual transmission swap kit with a ton of research on the best parts that compliment each other. For example, the included McLeod RST twin disc clutch kit. This diaphragm style twin disc clutch kit features a pair of 10-inch organic clutch discs and matching high clamp load pressure plate that supports up to 800 hp with smooth engagement. The Ram billet steel flywheel is SFI approved and works with any 6-bolt Gen 3 or Gen 4 LS and its 168-tooth ring gear is compatible with both stock and aftermarket performance starters. The whole clutch and flywheel setup works perfectly with our steel bellhousing and McLeod’s hydraulic clutch release bearing kit provided.

Low Profile Steel Bellhousing and Hydraulic Release Bearing Provide Ample Clearance

More traditional style mechanical or even cable activated clutch linkages rely on a series of connecting linkages, mounting brackets, and a clutch fork with throwout bearing. All of this becomes a packaging issue when it comes to LS engine swaps in a chassis that never had an LS, let alone a manual transmission. Mounting a floor mount or firewall mount hydraulic clutch pedal and 3/4-inch bore master cylinder is a lot easier than trying to fab a mechanical clutch linkage or route a clutch cable through your exhaust system. McLeod’s hydraulic clutch throwout bearing is easy to setup and provides a light pedal effort that is easy to modulate.

The final piece of our 6 speed conversion kit puzzle is our excellent LS swap steel bellhousing. This 7-gauge steel bellhousing is an upgraded version of the popular GM aluminum bellhousing, providing additional safety and strength and includes an engine cover plate. Designed from the start to be used with hydraulic clutch release bearings only, we were able to minimize dimensions to provide increased chassis/body clearance with more room for exhaust routing. The hydraulic clutch line enters the bellhousing from the top, keeping your feed line and external bleed line away from your exhaust. Precision CNC machined flanges mean your transmission and engine mate up easily without issue. Add in the little things that can be frustrating to find or are often forgotten about until you are “mid installation” like clutch and bellhousing bolts, pilot bearing, backup, reverse lockout, and neutral switch wiring pigtails, and so forth and you can see why our transmission installation kit will save you time and frustration.

The RAM Clutches 1550 steel flywheel fits 1997-2015 GM LS-engine applications (Gen III/IV) with a 6-bolt crankshaft, 168-tooth ring gear, and 1-piece rear main seal. It is designed for LS1, LS2, LS3, LS6, LS7, and LS9 engines This will not fit 1999-2000 6.0L applications with 0.400 in. extended crank flange.

Engine/Years: 1997–2015 GM LS-based engines.

Components: 168-tooth, 6-bolt pattern, 1-piece rear main seal, internally balanced.

Common Applications: 98-02 Camaro/Firebird, 97-13 Corvette, 04-06 GTO, 04-07 CTS-V, 10-15 Camaro.

If installing on an alternate year GM LS based engine, please reach out to our Tech Support team for further assistance. 

GM LS T-56 Magnum Dimensions (PDF)

T-56 Magnum Service Manual (PDF)

TREMEC Transmission Limited Warranty (PDF)

TREMEC Product Support Form (Link to TREMEC's Website)