Slayn

Hi all, I have a 78 camaro and the tranny busted, and I was interested in the 6 speed swap. I want to drop an LS1 into the car, but not right now, its way too much money, just a nice 6 speed will do. Is there a difference between the t56's for the LT1 and LS1? If there is, would it be eaiser to bolt an LS1 t56 to my 350, it would it be easier to go with the LT1 version now and bolt the LT1 t56 into an LS1 later. Obviously if theres no difference, then it becomes moot point, but I figured that there is a difference.

GTS346

iTrader: (1)

pretty sure LS1's have a full circle bellhousing for auto and manuals, early SBC/BBC run 3/4 of a bellhousing.

Slayn

Bleh, so do you recommend I get an LT1 t56 and one day try and adapt it to an ls1???

GTS346

iTrader: (1)

That should work, Id ring the sponsor on here that does the T56 conversions and get there advice, my 0.02c

Lesrace82

iTrader: (8)

Weir hot Rod products makes an adapter kit for the LT1 and LS1 trans to bolt up directly to a SBC or BBC.

Lt1 is the way to go if you dont want to buy the Weir kit, but you have to buy a special flywheel to mate up with the smaller diameter LT1 bellhouseing, and I believe you need the Lt1 starter as well which i heard is kind of pricey. also you ahve to use the LT1 syle pull clutch.

The weir kit, you can use any standard flywheel for your application. and it comes with a custom hydraulic throwout bearing that allows you to use almost any clutch and pressure plate setup as long as its a 26 spline 1 1/8" disk i believe.

badazz81z28

iTrader: (6)

either tranny will bolt to a SBC/BBC. The LT1 version has the same bolt pattern , the LS1 is different but they sell adapter plates and kits so you can bolt it to a SBC and use mechanical linkage. Thats what I did to my 78.
I recommend the LS1 version

Mike454SS

iTrader: (4)

Easiest solution is going to be to get an LT1 tranny and run an LT1 flywheel/starter/clutch for now then when you eventually go to an LS1, you need to swap the bellhousing and front plate and input shaft (rest of the tranny is the same). When you do get to swapping to the LS1, try to grab one from a stick shift car, that way you get it with a flywheel and clutch already...and obviously the LS1 uses the LS1 starter.

Slayn

Hey thats a good idea, use an LT1 trans and swap the bellhousing later...

badazz81z28

iTrader: (6)

Its not that easy it will be more than a "bellhousing swap". For one the input shaft is longer on the LS1 version. Do you know how much a input shaft is for a LS1 is? You are going to have to chop the driveshaft when you swap the LT1 T56 in than again when you change over to LS1. The LT1 T56 uses a pull type clutch, the LS1 uses a completly different set-up.(hydraulic componets are not cheap) If you go the LT1 way than swap to LS1 you will be wasting so much money that can be avoided by just sticking to one trans

Mike454SS

iTrader: (4)

The LT1 hydraulics are 90 bucks brand new, sealed and pre-bled from GM...Ls1 stuff is a bit more expensive, but it's well worth the hassle you avoid later on.

Like I already said in my first post, you have to change the bellhousing, front plate and input shaft as well as change to an LS1 clutch setup...but you can probably get an LS1 with a clutch on it.

I personally would use the stock engine to locate the T56, and then when it's LS1 time, bolt the T56 together with the new parts, bolt it to the LS1, locate that in the car on the pre-existing crossmember from when you first setup the T56, and then build your motor mounts...that way you won't need to do a new driveshaft again (in case you located it a different way and wound up with the T56 sitting further back or further forward with the LS1), won't need to move the crossmember...but what do I know?

Slayn

Does anyone think itd be easier to do this with a tko500??? Wonder if anyone has mated a 5 speed to an LS1 before.

billg

iTrader: (3)

Mcleod makes a modular bellhousing that will work both with an LSx motor and a "normal" SB or BB Chev. About the only combo that wont adapt is a LT1 T56 to an LS based motor. Its a little pricey at almost $500 but it works with almost anything so it would allow the LS1 T56 to bolt to your older motor now and then by just removing a spacer ring it would also allow the LS1 to bolt to the trans and would give you a scattershield to boot! It allows about everything including Top Loaders, Mopars, Trucks, TKOs, etc to bolt to either a conventional "old" motor or the LSx motors. HTHs.. Bill

Slayn

Interesting, but pricy.

billg

iTrader: (3)

I agree on that! But like most things in life, its most likely gonna be cheaper to do it the right way once,than to do it twice! The LT1 T56 will not easily (or cheaply) adapt to an LS based motor plus you can resell the McLeod later if its not needed when you LS1 the car and recoup most of your $$$$ back. None of the LT1/T56 clutch and/or flywheel stuff will work with the LS1 so all that will need to be changed later also. The McLeod will let you use any flywheel or starter so your present 4 speed stuff will work as long as its 26 spline. Bill

Lesrace82

iTrader: (8)

600 for the weir kit. works behind a sbc and i have it behind my LS1 now.