SIXSPD

Guys im in a pinch... I have a 2001 Formula and A 95 formula both t56. On my 01 the 2nd gear is gone completely ie. when it goes smoothly into gear theres no grinding or anything it just runs like its in neutral. Reverse is a pain in the butt to get in w out grinding. The guy i got the car from put a 323 rear end in it and let his wife drive it and went through 2 trannys. THE QUESTION is can i or should i rebuild this one or even mess with it at all?

2nd part
the 95 formula t56 shifts and works perfect 80K MILES never raced at all!! I got the bright idea of swapping out the trans so i pulled em both out and set them side by side and (after alot of research i thought lol) began to pull the covers off of each and switch the input shafts cause difference in bell housing and hydraulics. The ls1 (longer) input shaft has 31 teeth just like the lt1 one does but when i would slowly tighten the bolts it would begin to bind and we couldnt turn the shaft. so after several hours of many attempts we gave up. THE QUESTION..What should i do?? sell the low mile lt1 tranny or try to swap shafts again or buy a different input shaft or what??? I am tight on cash so i cant just buy a rebuilt one outright. I have a 95 formy roller to trade and or the tranny and some cash but...not alot.

I appreciate it !!! You guys were awesome w the epic thread about the guy who got ripped off on the intake from texas!!! Glad he finally got his money back!!

thesource

iTrader: (60)

You ripped the engaugement teeth off the 2nd gear on the 1st unit.

Are you using the LS1 front plate and input shaft together?

thesource

iTrader: (60)

Which set of shims are you using?

SIXSPD

Yes I am using the shaft and cover from the ls1.

SIXSPD

We didn't use any shims the shaft pulled right out and fit or so i thought.

thesource

iTrader: (60)

Use the shims from under the LT1 bearings in the plate. They should slide out pretty easy if you hold the plate facing down and tap it with a hammer.

SIXSPD

I remember us trying that also. The cluster gears on the bottom are larger in width on the ls1 than the lt1.

SIXSPD

it seemed to bind to one side it looked like. i tightened it very slowly and once it would start to bind i would stop.

SIXSPD

i may have that backwards...one of them are larger for sure. it seemed not to want to fit right. We did try removing the shims tho.

SIXSPD

el bump lol

thesource

iTrader: (60)

I know the 2.97 ratio cluster gear is slightly longer than the 2.66 cluster gear but the input shaft tooth counts are different between the two.

SIXSPD

i just called the guy i got the car from and he said the trans in the 01 is from a 96 z28. im so confused...what to do i neeeeeeed 2nd gear. i have physically seen the internals on the trans from the 01 and the teeth on the gear were in normal to good shape.
and the only shavings on the magnet were from the keyways from the 3 4 gears (we think)

thesource

iTrader: (60)

Sounds like you have a real mess on your hands.

SIXSPD

yeah i think so, soooooonow what?

Hotroddin

iTrader: (7)

so if it already had a t56 from an lt1 car shouldnt you have been able to just swap the t56 from the 95 right in?

SIXSPD

no the input shaft is longer for the ls1. i have no idea how it was done on the one thats in the car now but i couldnt get it to go together w the ls1 input shaft on the 95 t56. in theory it should go right together.

Hotroddin

iTrader: (7)

yea, something must be in the wrong spot, because in theory, it should go together.

Gen414

iTrader: (38)

I might have missed it, but did you use the MIDPLATE from the "LS1" tranny? I know both are actually LT trannies, but, if yo uhad one behind a LS1, than technically, THAT is the LS tranny now.
So, take your GOOD LT tranny, take off teh bellhousing, MIDPLATE, and input shaft, and do teh same for the LS tranny. Now, put your LS input shaft, MIDPLATE, and belllhousing on the LT tranny.

Reason I keep using MIDPLATE in caps, again, maybe I miised it, but you HAVE to use the MIDPLATE when swapping input shafts, since the hydraulics are different, obviously. Also, make sure you are not double stacking shims either.

SIXSPD

Yes I have been trying to switch the plate with the shaft, but i swear for some reason it wont go together without going into a bind. almost acts like it was lined up differently. what do you guys think i should do about the questions i asked in the original message.

Gen414

iTrader: (38)

You got any pics? I mean, there is no reason for it not to line up, they are the same tranny. Again, are you sure you are not double stacked on shims (or even races for that matter)

What questions did you have? Should you rebuild the tranny? Well, if you can't get teh trannies swapped (even though you should be able to) then I am not sure how you plan on rebuilding it. I am not trying to be a d*** or anything, but if you are having a hard time swapping the midplate and input shaft over, and a tranny rebuild is alot more involved, just not sure if you could do it or not is all.
If you could take some pics, post them here, or you can send them to in an email if you want, will be happy to try and get you squared away.