555, 523, 568 ???????????

[Johnny]

In place of a "spare" 555, which I was thinking of looking for, would it be better to go with a 523 or 568?
A big hassle to change styles? shifter would not work would it?

[cordes]

I believe you would need a new shifter and cables. The 523/568 is smoother shifting IMO. They are also a bit beefier in spots, but the 555 has certainly held its own behind some very powerful motors.

[turismolover22]

Yes shifter and cables are different. Advantage is the transmission is a standard 3 plane. The 523 is a good runner, a 568 is not 100% necessary.

[supercrackerbox]

Aside from having to swap the shifter and cables, the only other things to worry about are the clutch disk ('91 and up), and you'll have to notch the 555 trans mount to bolt it onto a 523/568, if you don't have the correct mount. Everything else (axles, bobble strut, etc.) works with either trans.

[jonnymopar]

I happen to love my "spare" 555 that I'm currently running. But as said before, if you don't mind grabbing the shifter/cables for the 523, it does shift a lot nicer. As far as strength, last I checked, Ondonti was running a 543 behind BIG power with no breakages, and I'm pretty sure that's the same gear set as the 523.

[Johnny]

Thanks everyone. I'll keep my eyes open for something to keep, as a spare.

- - - Updated - - -

I have never had a cable operated 5-speed except a couple mini vans I did not keep long. I have autos and my GLHS. So this will be new to me.

[turismolover22]

As long as you adjust the shifter ends at the trans right when you get it set up, and put new bushings in the late trans cable ends, youll be fine. There is a slight difference in feel from the cable to a standard setup, but its not terrible. Also go the extra mile and lube the crap out of the cables. It helps longevity and smoother, effortless shifts are a plus.

[turbovanman²]

523/568 cables are hard to find, 555 cables are everywhere.

[Johnny]

I decided to stick with the 555. I also have great shifter for one anyway.

[cordes]

Keep an eye out for cheap 523s and 568s though. They do have a lot of parts in common with the 520 and 555.

[Johnny]

I guess I should ask, whats the difference between the 520 and 555?

[cordes]

I guess I should ask, whats the difference between the 520 and 555?

The gear set along with some bearing differences. That's what makes the 555 so much stronger.

[BadAssPerformance]

520 is standard gear teeth and 555 has coarse heavy duty gears

523 is standard gear teeth and 568 has coarse heavy duty gears

"standard" = "small" teeth are more commonly used in most applications because they were quiet and the HD gears can be more noisy so only used in the higher output applications where needed...

If this is for your new car, I agree to keep it 555

[Johnny]

If this is for your new car, I agree to keep it 555

I am thinking the same.

[Johnny]

Is there a way (if tag is missing) to KNOW it is a 555? ...and not a 520 or something?

[cordes]

Is there a way (if tag is missing) to KNOW it is a 555? ...and not a 520 or something?

Yeah, you can look at the gearset through the inspection cover. It's pretty apparent which trans it is by the coarseness of the teeth on the gears.

[trannybuster]

The only that would sway me is the ratio desired...

[jonnymopar]

Not trying to thread jack, but:

523/568 cables are hard to find, 555 cables are everywhere.

http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/sh...rossover-cable

[Reaper1]

The difference in gear tooth "courseness" on later 523/543 is very small when looked at next to the same year 568. The only 2 "advantages" to the 568 is the gearset is *supposedly* heat treated differently, and the stronger 4-spider diff. Some say that the actual case has some sort of hardening process done as well, but I'm not sure that's ever been proven (please don't fry me too much if I'm wrong here...there is a TON of info and speculation out there).

The case of the 3-plane trannies (523/543/568) is stronger than the stock earlier 4-plane trannies, however with the chromoly endplate I think the gap narrows quite a bit, possibly disappearing.

[Ondonti]

Not sure about the need for the big gears since we don't seem to break much of anything. We seem to have stupid failures like transfer bearing sleeves coming off the shaft or bearings failing. That would relate to our obsession with recycling

I do wish basic oem cables were more available since I don't enjoy going through custom orders for everything (for as long as those options are still out there).

I have seen a 525 make 115mph passes and run for years and never fail.