T56 swap
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 296
Likes: 4
From: London Ontario
Well Im going to put the t56 and LT1 into my car and am hoping to use the camaro pedals it looks like it will fit but you never know it might cause some problems but I'll let you know by the summer hopefully so if your not in a hurry I can help otherwise, have fun
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 3
It's easier to swap the T56 into an auto C3, the standard trans C3s have a welded in x-member which makes install impossible without cutting the x-member or pulling the engine.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 296
Likes: 4
From: London Ontario
auxiliry shifter
Has anyone used an auxiliary shifter in their car. I am using the LT1 that came with the camaro and am considering moving the engine further back (about 3in) in the car to get the more of weight over the rear. this will make using a plate to move the shifter pretty hard. I have heard of a few guys using them in fox bodies but never in a vette. any ideas? excuse my terrible drawings
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Torq.... breaks my heart , exactly what I'm doin!
Curtis.... I 've seen something where the shifter has been moved to the center shift cover but haven't seen it in person or drawn.
Torq.... any details on the mounting plate for the correct angle on the clutch cylinder?
Thanks
Curtis.... I 've seen something where the shifter has been moved to the center shift cover but haven't seen it in person or drawn.
Torq.... any details on the mounting plate for the correct angle on the clutch cylinder?
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
One person has used a clutch cylinder from a 85 1-ton truck on a T56 and he says it works OK. The truck cylinder doesn't require an adapter to correct the angle like the late model F-body ones do. I have a McLeod clutch cylinder that came with my T56 but I'll probably try out a truck cylinder first. You can get them at Autozone for $50-something.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: MI
The easiest swap I believe was using 98-02 transmission from camaro or firebird. This has a longer input shaft, almost the same length as the original 4 speed that was in my 74. Then I bolted an adapter plate to my original stock bellhousing along with a new extended pilot bushing and bolt the t56 to the adapter plate. There is no change to the original stock mechanical linkage clutch. I did add a new clutchplate & throwout bearingwhile it was all apart. The shifter is back a bit further but I made an adapter to move it forward to the stock location. Or you can buy a custom offset shifter as others have done. For the speedo you need to use a conversion from the electric output back to your mechanical or switch to a electric 5" speedo. I havent done anything yet with my speedo. I had the driveshaft shortened and used a turbo 350 yoke. I found it to be a fairly easy swap and spent around 1200 for everything but I know prices have gone up on everything in the last 2-3 years since I made this change. I made my own rear mount out of scrap I had laying around but Ive read that the bolt in type used for automatic cars can be made to work if its relocated.
Last edited by jeffro1234; Mar 14, 2008 at 12:56 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,826
Likes: 3
From: Tennessee
Actually you can use a T56 out of a 1990 something Camaro. We have an adapter plate that mounts the front of it and allow you to run a standard GM bell housing and mechanical linkage.
Richard
Tech Support
Richard
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Cruising
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Lake Jackson TX
Who makes the offset shifter? From what I understand McLeod stopped making them. I am thinking of doing a T56 Swap in my 1980 auto. I plan on using the Wier adaptor but was just wondering what everyone was using to put the shifter back in the stock hole.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 101
Likes: 9
From: Paris, FRANCE
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 1
From: Edinburgh
Here is my Viper spec T56 with the bowtie crossmember
And this is how we modified the shifter to put it in the stock location
I bought mine new from D&D Performance http://www.ddperformance.com/ it came complete with adaptor plate etc.
And this is how we modified the shifter to put it in the stock location
I bought mine new from D&D Performance http://www.ddperformance.com/ it came complete with adaptor plate etc.
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Lake Jackson TX
you can find them here :
http://www.hotrodlane.cc/Shifter/shifter.htm
http://www.hotrodlane.cc/Shifter/shifter.htm
Thanks,
I will give them a call when I jump off into this project.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
[QUOTE=Street Shaker;1564118136][QUOTE=techsol;1564062687]Do you have a part number on that shifter??
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
I bought mine new from D&D Performance http://www.ddperformance.com/ it came complete with adaptor plate etc.
Hi
Same here, GM Viper T56 with mechanical speedo connection from D&D.
And I also had to install the shifter the way you did, a bit further to the pax side again to make it centered into the original position.
The offset shifter is a bit too far fwd and to the left.
Rgds. Günther
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Here is my Viper spec T56 with the bowtie crossmember
And this is how we modified the shifter to put it in the stock location
I bought mine new from D&D Performance http://www.ddperformance.com/ it came complete with adaptor plate etc.
And this is how we modified the shifter to put it in the stock location
I bought mine new from D&D Performance http://www.ddperformance.com/ it came complete with adaptor plate etc.
Last edited by 63mako; Jul 6, 2008 at 07:02 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Silver Spring Maryland
Okay, can anyone tell me if the trans tunnel is the same for C2's and C3's? I've heard the T-56 is too big to fit in a C2 without butchery of the tunnel, something I am not willing to do. You C3 guys seem to get a T-56 to fit right in. I am about ready for a new trans but I am not convinced of the TKO conversion (seems to me to be only about a 50/50 success rate and it's expensive), the mythical 5-speed Muncie is still nowhere to be seen, and I don't think a T-5 will live very long behind a stout 383 or 427 smallblock.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
Okay, can anyone tell me if the trans tunnel is the same for C2's and C3's? I've heard the T-56 is too big to fit in a C2 without butchery of the tunnel, something I am not willing to do. You C3 guys seem to get a T-56 to fit right in. I am about ready for a new trans but I am not convinced of the TKO conversion (seems to me to be only about a 50/50 success rate and it's expensive), the mythical 5-speed Muncie is still nowhere to be seen, and I don't think a T-5 will live very long behind a stout 383 or 427 smallblock.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Fairview TX
Made my own bracket (rather than butchering the crossmember). You can buy a similar bracket from the conversion folks if you don't want to weld up your own.
While not cheap, I expect it's less than a T56 with new components. Of course if you get a T56 used for cheap, then it's no comparison. But then when that used/abused trans built for 300hp frags behind your 500hp motor....
I am more than happy with the TKO and would do it again.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Kalispell Montana
I have been getting ready to do the swap and have been trying to research what I will need. I found this and it explains alot. Alot of the vendors have helped also. Check out this article. I hope it helps. http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=98387