T-56 questions, PLEASE HELP!

[DerekStangGT]

i tried a search, but couldnt find what i was looking for. anyway, i plan on buying a T-56 6 spd hail2: ) and swapping it in for my tired T-45. i know D&D sells a kit that i *think* includes everything from shortened D/S to new crossmember, etc. few questions are:
1) do i have a mechanical speedo or electronic?
2)can i re-use my SPEC stg 2 clutch from my T-45 in my T-56? its only got 12k miles on it and it still holds STRONG.
3)here are the ratios:
2.97-2.07-1.43-1.00-.80-.62 (T-56) as opposed to 3.37-1.99-1.33-1.00-0.67 (current T-45)
would they be too extreme for my stockish power output? i dont wanna lose any speed/acceleration, just gain driveability and MPG (some might wonder what MPG is ) with the added gear. anyone have any experience?? PLEASE HELP!!

 

[00s281sc368]

Your speedo is electronic. Yes you can keep your clutch.

If you look at the T56 ratios, yes the 1st gear is longer (but that's good, you can get a few more mph on 1st gear, and have the most power available on that gear).
But 2nd and 3rd are shorter, so they will actually pull more than with your T45 !

 

[Red66GT]

I'm interested in eventually doing the T-56 swap also. I have a 97 GT, so it has the mechanical speedometer. How would I be able to make it compatible w/ the kit that includes the transmission that uses the electronic speedometer, which I'd rather have if possible? What would need to be purchased/swapped?

 

[DerekStangGT]

Your speedo is electronic. Yes you can keep your clutch.

If you look at the T56 ratios, yes the 1st gear is longer (but that's good, you can get a few more mph on 1st gear, and have the most power available on that gear).
But 2nd and 3rd are shorter, so they will actually pull more than with your T45 !

hm, are you sure about the clutch? someone else said i couldnt use my existing clutch. what ratios do you have in your tranny? how does it shift? smooth? notchy? is it worth the money?

 

[Bornstanger]

hm, are you sure about the clutch? someone else said i couldnt use my existing clutch. what ratios do you have in your tranny? how does it shift? smooth? notchy? is it worth the money?

reason they said that is they might be thinking you were gonna go with the Viper spec T56. that T56 uses a 26 spline input shaft as compared to the 10 spline input shaft Ford's manuals and the Ford T56 version use. so if you go with the Viper spec T56, you'll need a 26 spline clutch. if you go with the Ford T56, you can keep your current clutch.