Has anyone here done the T56 installation?
Is it as easy (difficult) as the TKO?

Are there any modifications that would need to be made to the tunnel? Crossmember?

Thanks

 

You have to cut a hole like this:

 

That's it...bolts right up, just cut a hole????

There has to be more than that...

 

to an article I found about a T56 install in a Camaro.
http://drivetrain.com/gmt56inst.html

 

I'm gathering the same info, as I'm putting a 97 LT1 motor might as well put in the 6 speed that was behind it:

1st is the crossmember, it needs to be removed and modified or replaced. My car is an auto so I believe the factory crossmember is more easily removable than a 4-speed one, can I get a confirm on that?

Do a search for hydraulic clutch, there was a recent thread on that adaptation, which does not seem that difficult.

You do have to modifly the tunnel opening but have seen, and even heard now available, adapter brackets to adjust your shifter to be in the correct position in the factory console opening, anyone know who might sell such a bracket?

This is a link to a richmond swap, but is an idea for modifying the factory crossmember:

http://www.weavermill.com/trans/richmond.htm

Good luck and post pics when it's done!

 

Have talked to Weir Hot Rod Products www.weirhotrodproducts.com about the t-56 conversion. They were very helpful and talked to me at length about what I would need to do...Very highly recommended.

He said I should be making about 2000rpm at 80. He also checked my CAM to see if it would be ok...(?) I guess if you have too outragious of a CAM and you put a tran like this in it there could be issues or something. It doesn't affect me. From what I have gathered this will put a late model t-56 behind my stroker 388, with a 400 Flywheel. The conversion kit from Weir comes with the new bell housing, works with standard pilot bearing and 168 tooth flywheel, and comes with clutch parts that would come on late model municies. (I only have a vauge misunderstanding about what that all means )

Here is where I am at so far:

Parts and Labor

T-56 (from a 99 Camero) $850 (no really...I found one)
Bell housing conversion kit from Wier $660
Master cyl. from weir $70
retrofit kit for aftermarket slave cyl. $?$?$?$?
Utilizing the same trans. mount $0
Already have the bolt in crossmember $0
Shorten and balance the shaft $140 (quoted)
Fly Wheel for 400-externally balanced $100-150
Hyd. Cabling or line $45
Tremecs's Clutch adapter plate $?$?$?

Minor wiring (labor)
Installation of hyd/line/clutch (labor)
Pedal conversion (labor)
Tunnel Mod for shifter (labor)
Tranny swap (Labor)
Fly wheel swap (labor)
All labor (quoted $800) $1100


Pedal conversion (parts) Anyone...Anyone??????
________________________________________ ________________
Total so far: $3015


Does anyone have that link with the pedal assembly to convert the two to three using the same mounting holes? I know I saw it not too long ago.

I'll keep you updated and try to take some pictures.
I'm off to Vegas now to try to pay for all this.

- Bobby

 

That bracket would be helpful....

 

What are you doing to get around the push-style clutch vs. pull-style clutch? I thought you needed a conversion flywheel to be able to run a stock GM T56.

 

Silverbullet, I dont know for a fact, but I believe you need to use a t56 from a 92-97 camaro/firebird.

 

Excerpt from the article posted above.

Bellhousing and Clutch Linkage

The '93 F car uses a "pull-type" clutch assembly, and the T56's front face is different from traditional GM manual transmissions. Tremecs's adapter plate provides the solution -- it bolts the new trans to the earlier T5 bellhousing and permits retention of the existing T5 V8 clutch system without alteration.

Stock T5 V8 bellhousings rotate the T5 trans 18 degrees counterclockwise from "straight up." Borg-Warner's adapter plate returns the T56's orientation to "straight up". Old Muncie/T10/Saginaw transmission also mount "straight up." Use of the old four-speed bellhousing with the T56 adapter would thus rotate the new trans clockwise from the vertical (leaving the mounting pad nonparallel to the crossmember). Instead, use a T5 bellhousing when replacing an old four-speed with a T56.

 

If you use a T5 bellhousing, you will need a 153 tooth flywheel and the matching starter. The 153 tooth flywheel from the T5 in a Camaro will not work because our C3s use flywheels with the pre 86 crankshaft bolt pattern.

 

I used a '97 LT1 trans, a DF clutch/flywheel setup, and the Camaro slave cylinder. Biggest hurdle is fabricating the bracket and getting the throw and geometry right. I believe the slave uses only 3'/4' of throw; you'll have to play arond withthat one and get it just right or you'll blow the slave. I'd suggest a retrofit type kit so you can use an aftermarket slave;much easier .(I did my conversion back in '99, the retrofit stuff wasn't out yet-Ughh).
Best shifting tranny I've ever had, though!

 

I just got back from Vegas (trip was paid for by a good night on the craps table the last night, and I usually don't even gamble ) and am catching up on all the posts...thanks guys.


I believe this is true...I have bugeted for a flywheel from Wier.

 

I talked to the guy that built my engine and he seemed to think that we could use the Wier flywheel (168 tooth). I am not sure if this is correct or not. He did say that the starter on the engine would work no problem.

I guess that is the good thing about over-kill. The parts work for later projects too.... I will double check on the flywheel though...Thanks for the help.

 

I edited my post above to include "retrofit kit" for an "aftermarket slave". Sounds like the way to go....

Thanks cuisinartvette

 

Let us know how it turns out......

 

Yes, '97 and earlier T56's were connected to LT1's which have a bellhousing bolt pattern the same as the SBC. '98s and up were connected to LS1's which have a completely different bolt pattern.

 

Hi

If I calculate this together, 850 for used T56, 650 for bellhousing + hydraulic clutch system mod etc, why not get the GM T56 kit for hardly 1000 $ more. It has the mechanical speedo adaptor as well.
The original mechanical clutch system stays.
I payed 2600 for this GM T56 Viper extra strong unit and it now lives behind my 68 BB Vette. The original welded in crossmember has to be cut out . I used a auto crossmember and boltet it in a bit further aft.
The 6th gear is 0.5 : 1 ratio.
May be the calculation is a bit different when converting from auto to 6 speed manual.

Good luck. Günther

 

Like Gunther I used the Bowtie bolt in crossmember, here are some photos that might help. Dial ups beware!

 

Nice pics...I'll look into the GM kit.
I have a bolt in cross member already on the car...

It the cost is almost the same I'll do that.