Throwing a T-56 in my 72. Was auto now 4 speed so I have a removable cross member. I'll be doing the install in a shop with shop fees, so I don't want to:
1) let the car sit while one is made costing me storage fees.
2) don't think I can make my own
3) Don't want to cut/mod the factory one.
4) I'd just like to buy one already done. Google hasn't turned up diddly.
Thanks.

 

Check with Keisler. They had a kit with the T56 years ago...
I think????

 

I'll check, thanks. They don't offer a T-56 for C3 anymore though. At least not on the website.

 

They had a kit. Came with a template and instructions. They no longer make it and would not sell me thier instructions or template. If you find anything out post it. I need the info also.

 

As a side note...
I put a T-56 in my 68 4spd car. I am still working the mount out. It would be easy if I just ran the sidepipes as all that needs to be done is basically move the mount back a few inches. I plan to run a “funky” exhaust system so that puts a whole new twist.


I did hear that Keisler was holding out with trans mount info. I was hoping that they got past that. As bad as the econamy is you would think a bird in the hand...

 

You might have to do a little research, but if the T56 is the same length as the 200R4 or 700R4 you could buy a crossmember from Bowtie Overdrives. I seem to remember someone buying one from them with the mounting plate unwelded so he could position it the way he wanted. I bought a driveshaft that was on a C3 with either a 200R4 or 700R4 and it fits so the T56 is the same length as one of them.



Rick B.

 

I can confirm that. I wanted to purchase the crossmember and install it and then purchase the transmission when the welding and painting were done. In spite of what a rep told me at a show, Keisler will not ship a crossmember unless an order is placed for the transmission at the same time. That is what I will do. I'm curious, slow and easily distracted by side projects and it takes me a long time to do anything on my Corvette. I suspect my transmission will sit for several months as I attempt to make my installation "perfect." It is Keisler's competitive advantage. I can respect that.

 

The thing is Keisler no longer markets the T56 kit yet they have the information and specifications on the crossmember modifications needed to install these in an early corvette. You would think, since the economy is what it is, they would use this information to make a T-56 , C2 C3 conversion crossmember for resale to recoupe some of their engineering investment. There is a demand for this product and they already figured it out, why not make profit where it can be made. I really don't think this would detract from their Direct fit kits as they are different buyers.

 

Guys:
While it is true we used to sell a T56 kit for the C3 platform, we don't anymore, nor do we have any of the old conversion pieces i.e. the cross member.
The engineering drawings are all out dated now as that kit was being sold back in '04 - '05 when I first started working here. The drawings are also relative the Viper T56 that we use to use for that kit. Unless you specifically have a modified Viper T56, our drawings would not do you any good.

We are planning on another T56 kit for the C3 platform using the new T-56 Magnum 6 speed but it won't be available for a little bit.






Richard
Tech Support

 

Yep, that is what I have. A modified Viper T56 From D&D.

 

how dare you use anything but a keisler.you should have them do it all, they are the only people that should touch a transmission.just ask them

 

That was uncalled for and harsh.. While yes we would like to sell everyone there overdive transmissions we understand that we are not everyone's cup of tea. We and our main competitor don't sell proprietary parts for a good reason.



There is nothing wrong with doing it yourself. Do a little more research I have seen several Vette's on here with T56's.


There was some science to figure out to fit the Viper conversion. It is not simply "hey I have a viper now sell me the rest of the parts".

The kit we had before required some mods in some cars..


This has nothing to do with the economy we simply don't have the parts.


Merry Christmas

 

We are planning on another T56 kit for the C3 platform using the new T-56 Magnum 6 speed but it won't be available for a little bit.

When is a little bit??? I ordered and paid for a Magnum 2.97/.50 magnum trans, but they are holding at their shop (American Power train(good people)) as I save for the "rest" of the kit all be it not complete (shifter/trans cross cross member, etc). If its a month or two, I'll wait, if not, I will press with what I have to have it complete by summer. Do you offer a shifter kit? I need the 700 tq rating of the t-56 and have read a lot on dissatisfied TKO 600 people WHEN running high HP on the 2/3 shift vs. high RPM. I've very interested and would put in a pre-order paid if it was soon!!!

 

i'm sorry, i was just a little bitter,i was made to feel stupid because i purchased my tko 600 from another vendor and needed some parts and the only way they would sell me anything was a complete kit.us d.i.y types need to buck up, if there isn't a kit, make it yourself,i made my own brackets, found another vendor for offset shifter,had drive line done locally,bought a yolk with caps off ebay,indexed bell housing, got clutch at napa.the set up works great.took more time, but total cost considerably less. i guess i'm too stupid for this kit-car corvette assembling:n opity

 

For what its worth... I just installed a T56 in a tri-five chevy that previously had a 700r4. the crossmember mount for the T56 had to be about 2" behind the 700r4 mount. The driveshaft and yoke did not need to be changed.
The T56 was out of an LT1 F-body btw.

 

Thanks for the info on the 700r4.

 

.....and as we have said all along, the D.I.Y.er's can do the conversion and have had good luck doing so. Nothing wrong with doing it yourself, we just make it easier as we have all of the pieces and parts in a kit form.
Some of the parts are considered proprietary meaning we spent all kinds of time and $$$ to develop the piece and therefore, we won't sell it by itself, i.e., the cross member, offset shifter design or template and sheetmetal that might be required depending on car.
In fact, once upon a time, we did sell those parts by themselves and low and behold, we now have competition in this market.

Those are the only parts we won't sell seperate from the kit. Anything else in the kit, we can sell.

Bashing us because we won't sell a proprietary piece is hardly fair. If I'm not mistaken, we are not the only ones in this business who won't sell proprietary peices.







Richard
Tech Support

 

Richard,
I was the one that first recommended they contact you for the pieces that are needed.
If I had the money to purchase one of your kits I would be all over it. Not saying you are over priced just I am broke.
So I regret I recommended they contact you.
I regards to you last statement…

”Some of the parts are considered proprietary meaning we spent all kinds of time and $$$ to develop the piece and therefore, we won't sell it by itself, i.e., the cross member, offset shifter design or template and sheetmetal that might be required depending on car.
In fact, once upon a time, we did sell those parts by themselves and low and behold, we now have competition in this market.

Those are the only parts we won't sell seperate from the kit. Anything else in the kit, we can sell.”

If a company wants to get your “proprietary” pieces to copy and resell all they need to do is buy your kit copy what they can and tweak it then sell your kit as used to minimize there loss. After that they could still make a kit of there own to sell. I think if your sales management and PR teams would sell the pieces (at a profit) you could recover some of your R&D costs quicker and gain some new customers. I understand that some of your parts are not going to be compatible with all cars or in the case of the T56 with several versions. But that could be easily explained by a member of the Sales or Tech team when a customer calls in to order. It sure would go a long way in increasing your market share. You would have had competition anyway even if you did not sell those parts years ago. If there is a dollar to be made someone will move on that market and get there piece too. Why not dominate the market and sell what the people want and need before someone else jumps on it and your company has to play catch up?
Just a thought!

 

My thought exactly. You have the R&D already on the exact criossmember I need for my modified Viper trans. I would be willing to pay for this info or the crossmember and template. I already have the trans with an offset shifter. I will make what I need but since you don't sell the kit it is just some profit you can make now off your initial R&D investment with no impact to your kit sales.

 

i just talked to a guy in arizona that sells tko kits, when i finished call i felt like he was an old friend,he is a joy to talk to, has a passion for vettes and just great guy. he sold me a tko 600 at a good price with the correct speedo gear, and a split loop yolk and threw in a shift pattern and some outher goodies. also free shipping(its about a $100)this guy has a great attitude and i will tell all my buddys in vette club about my purchase experience. if any one is interested , shoot me a email (myjunker67@comcast.net) and i will fill you in . i want to respect forum vendors, and they're contributions so i'll go through email.this guy doesen't know im doing this nore is he paying me.he just did me a super deal and i want to share thanks, David