Cramming in a T56
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Duncanville Texas
Cramming in a T56
Getting ready to swap on a T56 and wanted to see what some of you have done to solve the rear mount isssue. I've heard from a few that most speed shop offerings weren't up to par and I will spend a little time and make one myself.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 2
From: High Ridge Missouri
Here is a link to the one offered by Pro Street. Ive also heard it isn't perfect, but you could always use it and refine/reinforce it.
http://www.prostreetcustoms.net/CorvettePage.html
http://www.prostreetcustoms.net/CorvettePage.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 3
From: MD
I believe the ProStreet one is sturdy and reasonably well made. Thing with it is you have to move the holes on the C-Beam. I little tricky, but then again if you wanted this to be a bolt-in deal you'd get a Keisler right? I was gonna do a T56 swap, but couldn't find one cheap enough so I'm going T5 instead. There are atleast 2 cars here on the site with T56's in 'em and it wasn't all that bad. With the ProStreet adapter and a McLeod offset shifter it's *nearly* a bolt-in deal. You need all the Camaro bellhousing/clutch stuff.
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
Why would someone install a T56 instead of a ZF6? Cost, availability, weight savings? It can't be the strength.
Im not trying to bash anyone. Im just curious because I think it would be easier to find parts of a donor C4 w/ZF6. Then it would be as close to a straight bolt in as possible.
Im not trying to bash anyone. Im just curious because I think it would be easier to find parts of a donor C4 w/ZF6. Then it would be as close to a straight bolt in as possible.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
Cost- I'd bet its about the same, but rebuilding a T56 is like buying a shifter for your ZF6 (thats not literal, kids)
Pretty much every part needed for the ZF6 is needed for the T56 or a similar part. But I'd have to believe the T56s are a bit cheaper and more common and I know they are cheaper in the rebuild.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 686
Likes: 62
From: San Jose Ca
ZF's aren't all that expensive anymore. I bought a brand new one for $1300 in October. I believe a new t56 is more. And the ZF really is a very nice tranny. So far the blue tag is holding up to 460rwhp just fine.
Scott
Scott
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Its the parts themselves for Zfs that are pricey and hard to come by.
ZF IMO is stronger, T56 cheaper to service...However the cost on those is creeping up to. GForce trannies makes some neat upgrades for the T56. Once I finally break mine a Z06 gearing set, hardened parts and a lower 6th gear are going in. Want it to whine like a school bus
ZF IMO is stronger, T56 cheaper to service...However the cost on those is creeping up to. GForce trannies makes some neat upgrades for the T56. Once I finally break mine a Z06 gearing set, hardened parts and a lower 6th gear are going in. Want it to whine like a school bus
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
-- Joe
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
T56 was used in a lot more, and more powerful applications than the ZF was. (ZF ended with the lt1, T56 was used on LS1 fbody, LS1 corvette, and Viper).
Cost is gonna be about the same, or higher. Clutch setup for the T56 is the same as the ZF6. (literally - same pull style, same diameter).
-- Joe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 10
From: College Station TX
An LT1 style T56 out of an f-body will bolt right up to the motor using the same clutch setup (you just need a different throw out bearing). You need to use the f-body flywheel, but it is pretty easy. The trick is mounting the trans to the c-beam and locating the shifter so it is somewhat close to the stock shifter hole.
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
Well regarding the strength… that is good to know but at the same time a bit disappointing. I always had the impression the black tag ZF6 was stronger than a T-56. I guess I was wrong.
I guess if my ZF6 ever dies and I can’t find a ZF6 replacement, I can always look into the T-56. Lords knows there has got to be many more T-56 available than ZF6 trannys.
I guess if my ZF6 ever dies and I can’t find a ZF6 replacement, I can always look into the T-56. Lords knows there has got to be many more T-56 available than ZF6 trannys.