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Cheaper way to adapt a T56 to any oldschool engine

Started by Brads70, August 03, 2018, 08:24:32 AM

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Brads70

I wanted one of Passons 5 speeds when I was building my car but couldn't swallow the price or the wait time..... I'd still be waiting. Went to what is now Silver sport and got the auto A41 set up. It works great and all but I wouldn't be lying if I said I'd still like a manual. Just scored a T56 out of a 96 Camaro, need to change out the input shaft for the longer LS1 version ( they make a swap out kit) and found this enabling you to use your stock bellhousing instead of the crazy expensive quicktime adapter bellhousing. Might need to machine up a ring  to locate it but simple enough...
You still will need floor modifications to use this transmission but just thought I'd pass along the info....
http://www.tickperformance.com/t56-mounting-adapter-plate-swap-applications/

I doubt it will find it's way into the Challenger as I don't want to cut the floors .... but a certain yet to be found 71,72 Javelin, that's a different story!  ;)

Bullitt-

.                                               [glow=black,42,300]Doin It Southern Syle[/glow]       

HP2

Interesting. I didn't know about the input shaft kit.

I scored a Quicktime bellhousing a few years ago for a steal. It's still sitting in my attic waiting for me to source a trans.


RUNCHARGER

Sheldon

TobiasM

Brad, thanks for that info.

Got 2 Viper-T56's on the shelf...not that my car is in the state to make urgent decisions on what trans to use, but still hoping to find proof that my car is as real as it can get and if so, I don't want to cut the floor for the T56.

If my car turns out to be  real, it would be 1 of 15 or so and then I want to bring it back to the 18spline 4speed.

But the T56 is VERY tempting, especially here in Germany: I could keep my factory Dana60-4,10 and still have low enough rpm for Autobahn-speeds due to the 2 overdriven gears in the T56...VERY tempting ;-)

IRON MAN

 .... but a certain yet to be found 71,72 Javelin, that's a different story!  ;)
[/quote]
Brad- Over at the AMC forum member "needafasterAMX" installed a Viper T-56 behind a 401  in his 74 Javelin.

RUNCHARGER

#6 in my Viper with the 3.07 in the back is strictly a mileage gear. I thought of putting a lower gear in it but it's a sick ride in #1 and #2 anyway so I don't see any benefit without slicks.
Sheldon


Brads70

#7
Quote from: IRON MAN on August 03, 2018, 04:07:55 PM
.... but a certain yet to be found 71,72 Javelin, that's a different story!  ;)
Brad- Over at the AMC forum member "needafasterAMX" installed a Viper T-56 behind a 401  in his 74 Javelin.
[/quote]
Ya , we have been chatting about it. Thanks! Lots of AMC guys have seem to have done this swap.  :bradsthumb:
http://theamcforum.com/forum/bellhousing-depths_topic95097_page1.html
I'm bidding on this one.... I figure I can make it work and it's cheap enough!
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Jeep-Multi-Bolt-Bellhousing-Plate-Bolts-Fork-Spring-Boot-Ball-304-T150-Cj5-CJ7/232865722619?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1431.l2649

Quote from: HP2 on August 03, 2018, 10:42:58 AM
Interesting. I didn't know about the input shaft kit.

I scored a Quicktime bellhousing a few years ago for a steal. It's still sitting in my attic waiting for me to source a trans.
What's the part number? If it even has one? I helped a buddy install a Quicktime B/H / Viper T56 in a LS1 set up, Not a fun experience.  You have to take off the midplate on the T56 and indicate it from the crank to get it in the right spec then drill the dowels. Then we found the whole bellhousing was a warped POS and had to send it out to get Blanchard ground flat and parallel. Lots of unnecessary expense IMO. I turned him up a Pilot bearing as at that time he could find what he needed to buy.Might be available now I'm not sure.   
What the deal is with T56's is the LT1 T56 used a quirky shorter input shaft clutch set up,and a clutch fork with an external slave ( mine is from a 1996 Camaro)  problem is they are only useful on LT1 engines due to this. So to make them viable for everything else you need to change the input shaft, If you can find one from a LS1 engine , or viper etc your good to go . Problem is these T56 go for significantly more money than the quirky LT1 set ups. So you can usually score a LT1 T56 pretty cheap relatively speaking as it's only the pizza delivery cars that can use them. :Stirring:
Then the kits is about $500 to convert it to LS1 specs.
Here is an article explaining it... Looks pretty easy to install!
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/ghtp-1203-lt1-t56-adaption-new-version-conversion/

Parts required...
You can get the required kit for here... http://tcase.rsgear.com/
or
shim kit http://www.tickperformance.com/tremec-full-shim-kit-t56-only/
Mid plate,  http://www.tickperformance.com/tremec-1a-transmission-front-adapter-for-ls1-camaro-firebird-04-06-gto/
and input shaft ( I think this is the right one but not 100% sure)
http://www.tickperformance.com/tremec-10-input-shaft-ls1-camaro-firebird/
Then you have to decide how you want to operate the clutch....
Standard clutch fork and linkage or a CSC (Concentric Slave Cylinder ... AKA hydraulic throw-out bearing) for a 2000 Camaro plus a M/C and hose.( not 100% sure on this, just what I've read)
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/chevrolet,2000,camaro,5.7l+v8,1361450,transmission-manual,clutch+slave+cylinder,2044

Brads70

Member , 73RESTOMOD over on CC.com ( I don't think he is over here yet?) Has done the swap and would have much more insight than I have. Lots of good pictures still showing too.
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=70418.0

Brads70

Quote from: Bullitt- on August 03, 2018, 08:33:05 AM
You gonna make us a Step-By Step?

:popcorn:

:D  Gotta find the "right" car first..... Planning on using this trans in a Javelin but if I ever had problems with the A41 kit ,,,, well then you never know..... E-Body pistol grip bolts right on to the shifter and the T56 I have!  :yes:

Brads70

Quote from: TobiasM on August 03, 2018, 03:17:24 PM
Brad, thanks for that info.

Got 2 Viper-T56's on the shelf...not that my car is in the state to make urgent decisions on what trans to use, but still hoping to find proof that my car is as real as it can get and if so, I don't want to cut the floor for the T56.

If my car turns out to be  real, it would be 1 of 15 or so and then I want to bring it back to the 18spline 4speed.

But the T56 is VERY tempting, especially here in Germany: I could keep my factory Dana60-4,10 and still have low enough rpm for Autobahn-speeds due to the 2 overdriven gears in the T56...VERY tempting ;-)

With that plate kit I linked to you could easily use a stock Mopar bellhousing and make it work. But I agree, I just couldn't cut up a pristine floor or a valuable numbers car to make it work.  :stop:
I'd happily take one of those Viper T56's off your hands though!  :)


HP2

Quote from: Brads70 on August 03, 2018, 04:46:59 PM

Quote from: HP2 on August 03, 2018, 10:42:58 AM
Interesting. I didn't know about the input shaft kit.

I scored a Quicktime bellhousing a few years ago for a steal. It's still sitting in my attic waiting for me to source a trans.
What's the part number? If it even has one? I helped a buddy install a Quicktime B/H / Viper T56 in a LS1 set up, Not a fun experience.  You have to take off the midplate on the T56 and indicate it from the crank to get it in the right spec then drill the dowels. Then we found the whole bellhousing was a warped POS and had to send it out to get Blanchard ground flat and parallel. Lots of unnecessary expense IMO. I turned him up a Pilot bearing as at that time he could find what he needed to buy.Might be available now I'm not sure.   
What the deal is with T56's is the LT1 T56 used a quirky shorter input shaft clutch set up,and a clutch fork with an external slave ( mine is from a 1996 Camaro)  problem is they are only useful on LT1 engines due to this. So to make them viable for everything else you need to change the input shaft, If you can find one from a LS1 engine , or viper etc your good to go . Problem is these T56 go for significantly more money than the quirky LT1 set ups. So you can usually score a LT1 T56 pretty cheap relatively speaking as it's only the pizza delivery cars that can use them.

I'd have to take a look and see. I do remember that is is an LT1 housing instead of the LS1 housing. I snagged for that purpose because I thought it would be easier and less expensive to find the LT version T56 since, at the time, everyone was clamoring for the LS version.  I've found several Corvette transaxle style LT1 T56s for cheap. Problem is that since they are a transaxle type, they lack an output housing, so all the money saved by picking up a Vette unit would be spent in sourcing all the output housing components. Since then I've changed jobs twice and the kids entered high school, so I haven't even tried looking for a trans for the last five years.

Not worried about cutting my floor up, but I would like to do so in a manner that allows me to save the removed section for reasle or another  project. As a '74 with nearly every option on it, it is a rare car, but hardly a valuable one deserving of a full restoration. Olive green and white with whitewalls and full hub caps, yea, most people would look at a restoration of that and throw up a little.