t56 year differences?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 157
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From: Huntington Beach, CA
t56 year differences? 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.
Originally Posted by Slayn
Bleh, so do you recommend I get an LT1 t56 and one day try and adapt it to an ls1???
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.
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.
Originally Posted by 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.
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
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.
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Originally Posted by Slayn
Hey thats a good idea, use an LT1 trans and swap the bellhousing later...
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
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?
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?
Originally Posted by 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.
Originally Posted by Slayn
Interesting, but pricy.
