KLaBZ28

iTrader: (4)

What's going on guys. I got a pretty good deal on a clean title but smashed quarter 96 Trans Am stick car with ~160k. I didn't pay much for it so my intentions were either 1.) flip it 2.) part it out 3.) either 1 or 2 but keep the t56 for myself for future project. I'm trying to gauge whether its worth my time to pull all the t56 swap parts out of it or not.. I'm thinking I would use it with an LS engine in the future either if I convert my car to LS or one of my other chevys. The parts to convert it to LS (front cover and input shaft) are only $400 new, and I could probably find them used for cheaper. I've searched around a bit and can't really come up with a ballpark price on a t56 dropout for an LS car. Any info or advice is appreciated, thanks!

I'm seeing some local to me going for $1500 and up for just thr transmission, not pedals etc.
https://hartford.craigslist.org/pts/5194110667.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/nos/pts/5247175682.html


Pics of the car because why not:
http://imgur.com/a/28J3p

murphinator

iTrader: (2)

I think I have seen posts on here with t56 vendors actively buying working cores for 1000-1200

$750 L98

iTrader: (7)

It's hard to find a used one for under $1500 around here, just for the trans itself. I started looking around and ended up just buying an entire car running and driving for a bit over twice that. A pulled T56 definitely brings in some cash!

gnx7

iTrader: (28)

Taiwanese parts are filtering into the market simply because Tremec isn't making it a priority to make replacement parts for a 20 year old style transmission. Many parts are indefinitely backordered and OEM stuff can be stupid pricey as a result. You also need the front bearing plate and bellhousing to covert over to LS1 style. On top of that.... don't expect a 160K mile transmission to not require some sort of overhaul. bearings/synchros at the bare minimum. In reality... a couple gears ($200 each), some synchronziers ($100 each), etc.
That puts it well over $1K in parts alone without any labor.

Sell that trans for $1K, buy a brand new T56 Magnum, and never look back. The Magnum shift quality is light years ahead of that older T56 that was designed in the early 90's and has a 31 spline output shaft (stock is 27). The internals are made of a better material, the case itself weighs a few more lbs due to more casting ribs (stability/strength), and lots of other improvements. I'm pushing 1000-1200rwhp thru a stock Magnum and it was the best upgrade I've done to the car aside from more power. While it may not last forever like any racing part... it is taking the abuse.

KLaBZ28

iTrader: (4)

Thanks for the suggestion. That is a good point. My friend already has a bellhousing, front cover and input shaft for me. I do expect to rebuild the trans with this kind of mileage on it, which I would do while converting it to an LS style. I ended up taking the T56 swap for it and now posted the car up for sale with no trans. Who know maybe I will sell it and do the magnum, but for now I got a T56 swap for cheap.