I'm presuming it will not fit. I currently have a 700R4 in it, and it 'just does fit'. From pictures I've seen, the T56 looks pretty long.

If anyone "knows" if it will fit, I appreciate the feedback.

 

I'm putting a LS1 and t56 in my 55 sedan. I'm using the Street and Performance motor mounts which brings the motor forward a couple of inches for firewall clearance. I will have to get my driveshaft cut down or get a one made to fit. I don't think you will be able to use a bench seat . You may can get a shifter relocation part but I haven't investigated. I had already decided to go with bucket seats. I had the motor and tranny in but pulled it back out to paint the car. The shifter location was great with the bucket seats. I'm using a B&M ripper shifter which I think is one of the taller ones for these trannys. Also, I sent my oil pan to S&P to notch so it would clear my stock steering linkage. They also modified the oil pickup tube for the pan.

Good luck.
Steve

 

Roger,
The search button on top of this page will help you find other items we have already discussed that may be related to your conversion.

Also, S&P's website is http://www.hotrodlane.cc/ . They have a "S&P Projects Page" which has several conversions projects you can check out.

Steve

 

i would bet it would fit. but you will have some mods to do. if they can get it in a miata.....yeah it should fit.

 

I probably should have specified a little more related to the convertible: there is a big X crossmember in the frame on the convertible. I'm thinking the T56 is too long due to that crossmember.

I've already done a lot of searching on this forum. I have found very little related to a tri five conversion, and nothing related to one in a '56 convertible. However, as I write this I am thinking of other search terms I can use, and maybe find more.

I have contacted S&P, and they are supposed to be sending me a DVD that "...tells you everything you need to know about doing the conversion."

Are you having to modify your gas tank? I've read about needing a return line; and I'm confused so far about what I've read related to needing to either have a sump in the tank, or a modified tank with the fuel pump inside. What are you doing related to that?

Thanks for that. I have browsed that site some. Their current project is a '57. Although, I haven't found detailed info about this there. Hoping the DVD will be helpful.

This is a great site, and it looks like good membership willing to help. You will probably see more posts and questions, and hopefully I will be able to return the favors of responses.

 

Roger,
Some of the folks are modifying their gas tanks for the return line and using external fuel pumps; and some are replacing the tanks with built in pumps. I lucked up and found a stainless Rock Valley gas tank on ebay that has an internal pump and a return. The earlier vette ls1's used a fuel filter / regulator combo unit which is what I'm using that mounts near the gas tank and it provides a return from that point; and then you only need a single gas line to the motor. Depending on what motor you get, you may have to change your fuel rail out (easy) or get it modfied. The S&P cd and catalog will show you the differences.

I would go ahead and get S&P to send you thier catalog if they are not already. You can view it online but it's pretty big. It addition to their parts, it also shows some conversion details like the fuel rails diffs.

If you want me to, I can get some measurements this weekend on how far the tranny extends towards the back of the car.

If you want me to do any measuring, let me know. Steve

 

Steve

Thanks for your input!

I'd be interested in knowing your measurement. But, don't make a special effort. If your'e working around it and it's not a lot of effort, that's great.

How do you plan to facilitate teh clutch? I'm not sure how it is on the new system, but I presume the normal clutch setup on a tri five won't be a bolt in match-up. Maybe I'm wrong.

As you probably realized, I haven't purchased anything yet. I'm watching eBay, and calling around. In the meantime, I plan to go to Goodguys thing in K.C. this weekend, and put a for-sale on my engine and tranny. Hoping to sell that first to help finance this endeavor.

Speaking of which engine, I'd sure like to go with a LS6. But, I doubt I'll opt to spend that much.

 

I haven't completed my clutch install yet. I started out putting in a pedal assembly out of a f-body but then I ran across a clutch master and pedal assembly from http://www.kugelkomponents.com/ on ebay and purchased it. I don't know what I will end of using.

One thing to keep in mind on the accessories is that the f-body and vette accessories(crank pulley, tensioners, and brackets) line up different. So you need to go with all vette type or all f-body type parts. If I had it do over, I would find a complete donor engine and tranny. I spent a lot of time and effort running down all of the accessory parts and little things I needed for my project.

I'll send you the measurements next week.
Steve

 

Thanks, Steve, I appreciate the info.

Are you going to be able to use the stock radiator mounting, given that the engine is moving forward. If it's only a couple inches, I'd think so. In my case, my radiator is on teh front, rather than back, so I bet I'm OK there.

Someone on another forum told me that they thought on a convert I would need to do some type of notching on my X member. I definitely don't want to do that. I need to investigate further.

I have decided I'm going to try to find a complete pullout, with Tranny.

On the measurements, uhhhh...again, I am interested, but don't bother if it is any kind of effort. I am about 90% leaning toward the automatic. I interest in a T56, but the more I think about it, having to figure out clutch and all, I'm not sure I want to go to that effort.