Lets build a mid-engine Trans Am - need advice
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
I'm getting pretty tired of researching here. Let me just see about putting a differential right behind the T56. Even if I have to stretch the car a little, it will be strong, cheap and reliable. Hell, the car may even look better if it's longer. I don't know. I'll try and make a picture of it.
I don't think the vette diff will fit. Has anyone seen a diff that has the axles close to the input shaft?
Or how can I get this connected to the trans as closely as possible?
They both have splined shafts, maybe a female/female adapter can be made?
Maybe there is a shorter rear housing for the t56?
Can the shifter be mounted more forward on the trans so that the vette tail housing can be used?
What other ways can the T56 be shortened?
I don't think the vette diff will fit. Has anyone seen a diff that has the axles close to the input shaft?
Or how can I get this connected to the trans as closely as possible?
They both have splined shafts, maybe a female/female adapter can be made?
Maybe there is a shorter rear housing for the t56?
Can the shifter be mounted more forward on the trans so that the vette tail housing can be used?
What other ways can the T56 be shortened?
Last edited by JasonWW; Dec 19, 2008 at 12:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
Keisler Automotive Engineering offers a kit for a front mounted shifter location for $199.
T56 Front Shift Conversion Kit relocates the shifter to the forward opening on the top of your 6-speed, 13.5" from the back fo your bellhousing. Perfect for clearing the bench seat on a Tri-Five, Street Rod, Kit Car or truck.
Kit includes Keisler's exclusive offset lever, new shift tower, rear cover plate, hardware, and installation instructions.
Note: Professional installation recommended. Installation requires disassembly of transmission, modification of original shift rail, and specialty tools.
Kit includes Keisler's exclusive offset lever, new shift tower, rear cover plate, hardware, and installation instructions.
Note: Professional installation recommended. Installation requires disassembly of transmission, modification of original shift rail, and specialty tools.
Last edited by JasonWW; Dec 19, 2008 at 01:31 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
In studing a lot of pictures I'm starting to think the output, or main shaft, length is the same between the vette T56 and the f-body T56. If I can move the shifter forward then it might be possible to mate the vette tail housing and diff to my existing T56. That would certainly simplify things.
Do any T56 pros out there think it would work?
Thanks Camaroholic and Eroc!
Let me see what a C5 auto trans and rear end can be bought for. I know their roughly half tje cost of the manual combo. If it's cheap enough, I can swap the bellhousing and bolt it directly to my engine. All I really need to do is add a few wires and reflash the ECM for an automatic and voilà!
No shifter linkage to mess with. I can swap to a high stall converter or steeper gears later on when I have the money. I can even swap in the T56 as well if I feel like it. Hmmm, I'm going to think about it.
Has anyone seen paddle shifter kits for the 4l65e?
Do any T56 pros out there think it would work?
Thanks Camaroholic and Eroc!
Let me see what a C5 auto trans and rear end can be bought for. I know their roughly half tje cost of the manual combo. If it's cheap enough, I can swap the bellhousing and bolt it directly to my engine. All I really need to do is add a few wires and reflash the ECM for an automatic and voilà!
No shifter linkage to mess with. I can swap to a high stall converter or steeper gears later on when I have the money. I can even swap in the T56 as well if I feel like it. Hmmm, I'm going to think about it.
Has anyone seen paddle shifter kits for the 4l65e?
Last edited by JasonWW; Dec 20, 2008 at 06:00 AM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
Here's a few pics of the preposed drivetrain with the auto trans.
I wonder if the regular 4L60E will bolt right up to the C5 rear? If so, then I could probably save some money. The front part would be ready to go, so all I'd need to buy would be the rear diff.
-
I wonder if the regular 4L60E will bolt right up to the C5 rear? If so, then I could probably save some money. The front part would be ready to go, so all I'd need to buy would be the rear diff.
-
Last edited by JasonWW; Dec 20, 2008 at 08:31 AM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
I think this drivetrain picture is pretty close.
And here is the look of the car. A bit long, but not too bad. I may have to modify the roof shape a little.
Actually, I think the sharp rear angle is hurting a me a little. If I add a little bit of the stock bumper to push it out some, I can shorten up the main part of the body. Toss some big side scoops on it and it should look badass!
And here is the look of the car. A bit long, but not too bad. I may have to modify the roof shape a little.
Actually, I think the sharp rear angle is hurting a me a little. If I add a little bit of the stock bumper to push it out some, I can shorten up the main part of the body. Toss some big side scoops on it and it should look badass!
Last edited by JasonWW; Dec 20, 2008 at 09:53 AM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
I just found an amazing link of a guy building his own mid-engine car just like me! He's really starting from scratch whereas I have a few of the main pieces due to my donor car. He's using an LS1, auto trans and C5 differential just like I was thinking about. It's kind of eerie. 
Here you go. Follow along as he builds it up.
3 ***** Racing
Here you go. Follow along as he builds it up.
3 ***** Racing
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
Thanks.
You guys are not going to believe this next idea. You would think it was mine, but no, someone else thought of it.
It's a belt drive system that lets you attach a common diff to the back of a transmission and then move the axle centerline where ever you want. It can support 1000HP as well.
You guys are not going to believe this next idea. You would think it was mine, but no, someone else thought of it.
It's a belt drive system that lets you attach a common diff to the back of a transmission and then move the axle centerline where ever you want. It can support 1000HP as well.
Last edited by JasonWW; Dec 21, 2008 at 03:40 PM.
Thanks.
You guys are not going to believe this next idea. You would think it was mine, but no, someone else thought of it.
It's a belt drive system that lets you attach a common diff to the back of a transmission and then move the axle centerline where ever you want. It can support 1000HP as well.
You guys are not going to believe this next idea. You would think it was mine, but no, someone else thought of it.
It's a belt drive system that lets you attach a common diff to the back of a transmission and then move the axle centerline where ever you want. It can support 1000HP as well.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Copenhagen
i can sort of relate to the idea of running the belts with the C5 transaxle... but i cant for the life of me understand why the idea of mounting it transversly is so bad.. i mean why not install an engine/tranny from a MCSS or Impala ???? it would keep the price of the build at bay atleast....
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
The only advantage to using an expensive C5 diff is to shorten the driveline by maybe 5"-7". If you use the belt drive system you can use the cheaper 8.8 IRS or anything cheap and strong.
I still haven't looked at the belt drive system yet.
Last edited by JasonWW; Dec 21, 2008 at 03:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
I can sort of relate to the idea of running the belts with the C5 transaxle... but i cant for the life of me understand why the idea of mounting it transversly is so bad.. i mean why not install an engine/tranny from a MCSS or Impala ???? it would keep the price of the build at bay atleast....
I've already explained this in detail.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Copenhagen
a built t56 like "son of tranzilla" is up there too.. and the belted 8.8 IRS could mean some awefully short halfshafts.. but i guess the belts are the cheapest route.. especially considdering that you in theory could run dirt cheap th400 and a diy shortened 9 inch... im presonally biased towards running a porsche transaxle or getrag g50 though..
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,516
Likes: 0
with the belt drive system you dont even need a intependant rearend. Your 10 bolt should work to start out. The independant suspension is up where ever you put your axle centerline. I see motorcycle primaries in your future.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
a built t56 like "son of tranzilla" is up there too.. and the belted 8.8 IRS could mean some awefully short halfshafts.. but i guess the belts are the cheapest route.. especially considdering that you in theory could run dirt cheap th400 and a diy shortened 9 inch... im presonally biased towards running a porsche transaxle or getrag g50 though..
Any rear diff using belts is going to mean fairly short axles. 8.8, 9", doesn't matter.
Why would I even consider a T400? Your just all over the place.
I'm also personally biased to an upside down Porsche G50. They are just hard to find and when you can find one, they are really expensive.
Last edited by JasonWW; Dec 21, 2008 at 03:44 PM.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Copenhagen
now now!! i think i answered a post quoting a price of "about 4 grand to build one up" and i simply tried to put that price into perspective... a bowler tranny and a pro-tourque converter arent cheap either.....
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
Put it in perspective that I already have a perfectly good transmision that needs no beefing up, adapters or clutch. Consider those free.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
My current 10 bolt has a wore out LSD in it. Plus I've broke about 3 of them already. If I use those belts I can run pretty much any rearend that has a good LSD in it. The gear ratio won't matter as I can fine tune it by changing pulley sizes.