5th Gen Camaro 6060 Vs TREMEC Magnum and Magnum XL: Which one is right for your car?

Tremec has been building OE 6-speed manual transmissions for years now. That means the salvage yards have been filled with them for some time. With that in mind, mileage and time are not on your side when you get a junkyard transmission. We all know some of the issues with the “T-56” LT/LS out of the 1993-02 Camaros (weird pull style clutch set up on the LT, weaker two piece main shaft) but what about the 6060 transmission from the 5th Gen Camaros? The Tremec OE TR-6060 program was a step up over the old “T-56”. This transmission lead to the birth of the Magnum 6-speed on the aftermarket side of things with a stronger 1-piece mainshaft, better synchronizers, thicker robust gears and improved shifting. We wrote this article to help you choose what transmission will work best for you. You can also check out our video on it here:

1. Applications:
   • TR-6060: Originally developed for high-performance cars like the Dodge Viper, Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Challenger, 5th Gen Camaro and various other sports cars. It’s designed to handle high horsepower and torque outputs.
   • Magnum/XL: Designed more for custom and modified vehicles, particularly for trucks, muscle cars, and street rods. It’s favored for its strength and versatility in shifter placement and speedometer options. Magnum XL is generally a direct replacement for most GM Tr-6060 applications such as 5th Gen Camaro, 1st and 2nd Gen CTS-V.
2. Gear Ratios:
   • TR-6060: Typically has closer gear ratios, which can be beneficial for acceleration and maintaining power in high-performance applications but application limited gear ratios only.
   • Magnum/XL: Offers a wider range of gear ratios, including some options with taller gears, which can be useful for varied applications, such as racing or street driving.
3. Construction and Strength:
   • TR-6060: Known for its durability and strength, built to handle the demands of high-performance driving and OE reliability.
   • Magnum/XL: Also robust and strong, but sometimes considered even more heavy-duty than the TR-6060 in certain aftermarket contexts due to its aftermarket-focused design.
4. Shifter Location and Driveshaft Compatibility:
   • TR-6060: Often has a specific shifter location designed for specific vehicle applications, which can limit its versatility in custom builds without modification, especially classic muscle cars. This trans has a driveshaft flange instead of a slip yoke and requires a custom aftermarket solution to adapt to a standard driveshaft.
   • Magnum/XL: Available in multiple shifter locations (like mid-shift and rear-shift configurations), making it more adaptable to different vehicle setups and custom builds. Magnum XL has a longer tail housing. Making a 6060 swap out in the existing car easy and more direct shifting without extra slop. Plus a 31-spline output shaft with standard 1350 yoke.
5. Cost and Availability:
   • TR-6060: Cheap in the salvage yard but modifications to make these work can drive up the price of use.
   • Magnum: More expensive on the front end for custom builds and modifications, and it’s widely available through aftermarket suppliers. Generally easier to install with less work and parts. Plus you get a 2-year warranty from American Powertrain.
6. Engine adaptability :
   • TR-6060: Most of these have an integrated bell housing. Making it difficult to adapt to other engines. The front cover is part of the bell. In order to swap to another engine, a new front cover and bell housing must be used and in some cases, a new input shaft.
   • Magnum: Front cover only with standard “T-56” bolt pattern offering plenty of options for aftermarket bellhousings and engine applications.

In summary, the Tremec TR-6060 and Tremec Magnum are both excellent transmissions with strengths suited to different types of vehicles and applications. The TR-6060 is geared more towards OE fitment in specific vehicles with application specific gear ratios. The Magnum offers more versatility in terms of gear ratios and shifter configurations, making it a favorite for custom builds and modified vehicles. Check the out links below to learn more or give us a call at 931-646-4836 to talk to one our expert techs about your project.