Whenlifewasagame

I dont want a 6 speed just getting that out of the way i like the t56 dont want it though im throwing ether a wc t5 swap from a v6 fbody with 26 spline with a 3rd gen clutch and a lt1 flywheel same results would be with a tko id do that swap aftwr some money saved up but i csn afford a decent t5 swap for now what do i need nessicarily besides cross member snd GM bellhousing?

Catmaigne

iTrader: (6)

What chassis is this in? 3rd or 4th gen? I'm guessing you're going to need a driveshaft, flywheel for a push type clutch balanced for the LT1, clutch kit, etc.

There is a reason GM never offered a T5 behind the L98 though.

shbox

The 5 speed is not known to be that robust, so putting behind the LT1 is risky.

Whenlifewasagame

Its behind a lt1 in a 4th gen i know that ill have to get the right tyoe of fly wheel and the crossmember has to go a little further back and actually ive heard and seen t5s hold a little bit of power especially rhe WC my buddy had a wc t5 behind his 800 hp mustang so its really up to the clutch and flywheel set up i know i need a gm bellhousing for it all to bold up right and the 4th gen t5 has a 26 spline soo if you have so insight on whats nessisary to get it to work

Whenlifewasagame

I also like the idea of a tko500 attached to the lt1 opinions on thst

aroberson77

I have a T5 WC behind my LT1 but it is in a 2500lbs car with 195 tires. I would fear you would break the T5 in a 4th gen. TKO500 should be stout enough or a Jerico 4 spd.

BALLSS

OP

I would go with the TKO. The T5 is weak for a stock LT1...H/C LT1 it will have a short life if you drive it aggressive (read clutch dumps). If a stock motor and you just "drive it around" it would "work"...just not take much abuse

With that said IDK what is involved in mating a TKO to a LT1 but in the end could likely cost more than a T56

96Formula6spd

iTrader: (7)

T-56 is an easy swap. I would skip the T-5 unless you sent it to astro gear. Then you still have to get it mounted. A-5 conversions are not cheap. T-56 can be still had for $1200-1500 for a lt1. Makes it easy to unbolt and bolt in. You save cash on things like the driveshaft and not making mounts. TKO is close but then you will spend the money everywhere else. Not to mention if you need a working speedometer. My vote T-56

Whenlifewasagame

Well i dont want a 6 speed like a said but that 4 soeed idea sounds crazy im going to eventually the 4th gen firebird as a road race car ill never hit 6th gear on these tracks so a 5 speed is oerfect so what would i need besides a bellhousing and probably a shorter drive shaft custom made for the tko 600 since the tko is brand new its better then buy a parts car with a t56 that already has the swap cus no matter what ive gotta rebuild and buy new clutch flywheel everything to go with t56 so again thats out of the wuestion its not about the price its about what i want out of my ride i want the 5 speed tk0 500 or 600 now i heard actually that is had the cable to sync to my car and id just have to edit the pcm which i planed on doing since i have lt1 edit so id need a new drive shaft the stell bellhousing a pro 5.0 shifter most likely a 3rd gen clutch and the right flywheel to fit on the lt1 thatll fot with the clutch that works with the tk0 what else

BALLSS

these guys may be able to help with the parts needed. They bought out Keisler when the folded

https://shiftsst.com/

Whenlifewasagame

Thanks ****** ill probably see what they have for 4th gen fbody im sure all i really need would be the custom drive shaft everything else i can pretty much find on my own. In the end ill end up with a tk0 500 or 600 they are the best bet for a 5 speed brand new and great gear set very close to that ofbthe t56 gear set ud personally rather haveb5 gears cus to me ifni dont have something with 700 hp or more i dont need 6 gears

BALLSS

I know TKO can work with a LT1. Keisler did a TKO install into a 95 B-body. IDK what bell housing or FW/clutch but it was a push vs pull clutch like the LT1/T56 uses

TKO is a stout tranny and IIRC you have options on gear ratio

Dennys makes a good DS. What I went with on my A4-T56 swap in my B-body. I went with 1350 yokes also

96Formula6spd

iTrader: (7)

Buddy on our lemons team has an american iron camaro. It is a third gen. He used the t-5 for two races before it blew up. He tried a T-10 but was running out of gear at places like Road Atlanta. He ended up going back with a t-56 again and said it never complains. Pretty much never uses 6th but its robust and keeps on going. Keeps the engine rpm at 6000. It runs behind a 383 SBC.

Flycaster1977

Ive been in the same boat for a bit. Want a stick but not really into a 6 speed. The problem is that the t-5 is crap. Even the stock 305 could break them. The problem is in the case so even a gear upgrade wont get it very far. Tko is really the only viable option, but the conversion can be a pain, plus the expense. Mine is a third gen Iroc with an lt1 swap.
Ive kinda resigned myself to an auto for now and will look into other options in the future.

BALLSS

It is not mandatory you use 6th in a T56. The shift pattern of 1-5 is the same as a TKO. T56 is plug & play for a LT1 and will hold a bunch of power

Nothing wrong with going TKO 500 or 600...just a more complicated and expensive path. TKO has more girth to the tranny case so some tunnel massaging is likely needed

I have 4:10's and only see 6th if I can drive a "sustained" 65+ MPH. On the street its a 4 speed. Hwy 5. At 80 mph in 6th I am just under 2k RPM on a 27" tire

Flycaster1977

if only i could find a decently priced t56

Whenlifewasagame

ive known the t56 to be a great tranny but it has its faults and sure it should handle a rated 450 hp and tq to the crank but im not looking for big power and the tko may be a bit pricer again then a used t56 but you can but a new tk0500 for 2450 vs t56 used for about 1500 or remanufactured for over 3k unless your lucky and i live in the land of t56 swaps in south florida only way to get my hands on a used one is shop up north for a parts car that has one and thats not even a promise itll be worth the effort when i can save up for a great set up using a tk0 and never have to touch it again except maybe change the gear ratios but they are close to the t56 id still go with a 3.73 i think it is gear in the tko500 and ill be fine with plenty of gear and 5 gears on a road track really is all you need maybe even a 4 apeed would be cool but this isnt a classic im not puttjng a moser in it.... basically lets say only option is tko 500 what would you go with to make it fit in the 4th gen and bolt up to the lt1 and never have issues(of course always expect issues) but lets just do this in theory.

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

If you are referring to a Borg Warner, what are its faults?

BALLSS

Not sure what "faults" the T56 has....but do agree 20+ year old manual transmission that is not made new anymore and was likely not driven by your grand mother will need some form of rebuild. Likely crap shoot buying a used one but they are around and $1500 generally is what it costs for a "rebuild" so add that to whatever cost for the tranny itself. Just a T56 is way more plug & play for your install

TKO has been done on a LT1...IDK what was involved but the one I am aware of uses a push clutch.

bufmatmuslepants

iTrader: (3)

Just get a t56, scratch out the 6 on the shift **** and on the name, get a skip shift eliminator plug, and viola you have a 5 speed t5. 5th gear on all of the transmissions mentioned is overdrive, with 4th being 1:1. A t56 just has 2 overdrive gears, 5 and 6, for fuel economy on the highway. Just don't use 6th if you don't want it, it has nothing to do with a 700hp car or a 150hp Honda Civic, the added gear just drops rpm on the highway to save gas. Just like the stupid skip shift, saves gas. Top speed comes in 5th, not 6th, 6th is for gas mileage.