Question on Viper Spec T56 rebiuld

99SVTAddict

Forum Member
Hi, I just dropped my Viper Spec T56 off at Liberty's Gears today. I was told Brad would be the one working on the transmission.

I've had the same problems 3 times now with this D&D transmission. Shortly after having it put in the car it locked in 4th gear. They fixed it stating abuse (which it wasn't) and I had to pay for parts. 2 days after installing it again and just driving down the road it locked in 4th again. They fixed it at n/c and it then worked with no issues for 3 seasons. Mind you, I put 3-4K miles a year on the car. So when it broke end of last season I decided D&D would not be my choice to repair it. So, once Liberty's gets to my trans they will call with a status of what is broke and make recommendations as to what I might want to do to beef it up.

My questions ahead of time are:
Is this common for any T56 trans to lock into gear? It shifted perfectly fine right up until it just decided to freeze into gear.

Are there common upgrade parts people are doing with Viper Spec T56?

Any questions I should be asking to ensure I get this problem fixed once and for all?

Anything else I should be looking at for this problem?

Any helpful information would be appreciated. Just trying to get informed along the way. Thanks.
 
I've had that issue, it's when the detent keys break in the 3/4 gear and break off jamming it in either 3rd of 4th (depending on which side the keys fell on). They break from over extending so make sure your shifter stops are adjusted properly. I've heard of billet keys being made but not sure if they worked good or not, I would consider them a weak point. Normally they are like $1 for all the keys but I think the billet keys are $99. It sucks knowing that you need a rebuild because a $1 part broke.
 
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Hi, I just dropped my Viper Spec T56 off at Liberty's Gears today. I was told Brad would be the one working on the transmission.

I've had the same problems 3 times now with this D&D transmission. Shortly after having it put in the car it locked in 4th gear. They fixed it stating abuse (which it wasn't) and I had to pay for parts. 2 days after installing it again and just driving down the road it locked in 4th again. They fixed it at n/c and it then worked with no issues for 3 seasons. Mind you, I put 3-4K miles a year on the car. So when it broke end of last season I decided D&D would not be my choice to repair it. So, once Liberty's gets to my trans they will call with a status of what is broke and make recommendations as to what I might want to do to beef it up.

My questions ahead of time are:
Is this common for any T56 trans to lock into gear? It shifted perfectly fine right up until it just decided to freeze into gear.

Are there common upgrade parts people are doing with Viper Spec T56?

Any questions I should be asking to ensure I get this problem fixed once and for all?

Anything else I should be looking at for this problem?

Any helpful information would be appreciated. Just trying to get informed along the way. Thanks.


when did you have it repaired at D&D... and whats your name?

what did they do to it the previous two times it was in?

as pat said... sounds like the 3/4 inserts/keys are breaking, and the stock cast pieces are known to be weak..... but... if it was a true "Viper-Spec" it should have already had the billet ones in it.
 
viper t-56's already have some beefer parts. Usally when up grading say a t-56 from a camaro/firebird you install the cast iron viper 3-4 fork, bronze fork pads, billet keys, and all new oe snap rings, fiber/kevlar blocker synchronizer rings/bronze shifter bushing or isolator cup along with all new 1-2 & 3-4 synchronizer assemblys.
Since your unit was just gone through, they may opt to just replace whats dammaged.
My guess is your smashing the factory stamped out keys, and they do not smash easily-or with out abuse/very hard shifting.
 
I'm not sure what D&D did to fix the trans the past two times.....I purchased and had Alternative Auto install everything so it was all handled by Lidio's shop (as far as dealing with D&D).

The trans isn't hard shifted at...especially not shifting from 3rd to 4th. 1-2 gets beat on a lot more than 3-4 anyway as the car hasn't been to the track in 4 years now. The past 2 years my 2 kids have been liking taking rides in the car so I rarely am aggressive with the car lately which is why it breaking again now has me puzzled.

when did you have it repaired at D&D... and whats your name?

I'd have to look through my receipts....it was awhile ago.
Everything was done through Lidio....he was the middleman so it was purchased in his name so I wasn't on record when I called D&D back in September last year.
 
I'm not sure what D&D did to fix the trans the past two times.....I purchased and had Alternative Auto install everything so it was all handled by Lidio's shop (as far as dealing with D&D).

The trans isn't hard shifted at...especially not shifting from 3rd to 4th. 1-2 gets beat on a lot more than 3-4 anyway as the car hasn't been to the track in 4 years now. The past 2 years my 2 kids have been liking taking rides in the car so I rarely am aggressive with the car lately which is why it breaking again now has me puzzled.



I'd have to look through my receipts....it was awhile ago.
Everything was done through Lidio....he was the middleman so it was purchased in his name so I wasn't on record when I called D&D back in September last year.


ahhh.... the plot thickens. lol. the introduction of a third party always complicates things. i'm not at D&D anymore, so i can't look it up for you, but billet 3/4 inserts very rarely break... so i wonder if it had any in there to begin with. the guys at liberty are top notch for sure, and they should be able to tell you whats in it.
 
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