R6T2Corvette

I have a custom 1962 Corvette (tube chassis etc) and I am considering upgrading engine & transmission. I would like to install an LS1 engine with modern six speed (currently have Richmond six speed). I am considering 1997 or newer Tremec T56. Does anyone know if the transmission tunnel needs to be modified to make room? Engine & transmission mounts don't concern me as they need to be modified anyway. Thanks for the help.

richscorvettes

Tom,

We have an LS engine and the Tremec transmission in our 62. The tunnel did have to be enlarged (width and length) to clear the transmission. It also required trimming the inner seat tracks to clear.

There are a few people on the Forum who have installed this transmission in their C1's and I'm sure they will chime in.

Rich Lagasse

cbernhardt

I have a T56 from a '94 Camaro in my 62. Rich is correct - you will have to do some tunnel modifications, but nothing major. On my transmission the shifter is about 2" further back than stock and, of course, it is centered in the tunnel. I have modified '84 Corvette seats but managed to use the '62 seat rails unmodified. Here is a link to some pictures of the tunnel modifications.
Charles
http://www.carols62.com/apr01.html

BIGBLOCK62

Might like your 6 speed. Supprised you didnt have to modify your tunnel for it! I am running a 5 speed and its pretty snug. I would also consider a Tremec 6 speed. What rear gear are you running?

Chuck

R6T2Corvette

Thanks Rich. That's what I thought. I am not interested in adjusting the tunnel. I have a custom leather interior including the tunnel and floors.

R6T2Corvette

Chuck,
Thanks but I'm going to put the Richmond in my son's big block Chevelle. It works fine but I don't like the transmission noise. The rear-end is a Kugel IRS with Ford 9" center section with 3.50 ratio. Richmond 1st gear is a 3.06 (or something close to that). The combination worked fine until I put on the Nitto drag radials - 245-50-16". They look great and they stick great but the Nittos are two inches shorter than the ones I replaced and now the combo doesn't work with a damn. Too much gear. Changing to a modern 6 speed with higher ie 2.66 first should help the combo problem and reduce gear noise.

62fuelie

You might investigate the Keisler 5 speed as an alternative. It might prove to be a near bolt in. :auto:

R6T2Corvette

Thanks. I did call Kinsler. The 5 speed does fit without mod's but the gear ratio in first gear is even worse than what I have now. It's a 3.27 first. I'd be going 15MPH at 6,000RPM! I'd be a big hit on my street at midnight with that combo. I could change to a 3.08 rear gear to offset the 3.27 first but spread btwn the other gears isn't great - 3.27 first, 1.98 second (can you hear the RPM drop?), 1.34 third (almost the same as C5), and 1:1 fourth.

62fuelie

They need to offer some other gear ratios. Most of us who would consider a trans swap are probably looking primarily for the overdrive. With the 3.27 first, you'd need a 2.73 rear to even use it. :auto: