wrenchtech Posted September 7, 2003 Share Posted September 7, 2003 I was pipe dreaming these last couple of days about the possibility of building a 240z with an LS1 motor in the engine bay and a Corvette T56 transaxle in the rear. I don't know much about Z cars. What are the prospects of hanging a transaxle in place of the R differential? Surely some sheetmetal would have to be moved and mounting points would have to be fabbed. What about the weight distribution? How close to the magic 50-50 ratio? The C5 vettes run this configuration as do the Porsche 928 and 944. Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmyntti Posted September 7, 2003 Share Posted September 7, 2003 I think the with the engine in the setback position and the transaxle in the rear the car wqould actually be tail heavy. The Z with an LS1 and Camaro six speed should be around 50/50 if not a little heavier on the rear. If drag racing is the goal then rear heavy would be advantagous but for autocross I believe 50/50 is preferred. With my LT1 in the setback position and everything uneeded removed from the front and the battery moved to the rear I am hoping for near 50/50 weight distribution. I like the idea of the rear transaxle for drag racing and the components would sure be strong but there would be alot of fabrication involved. It would be unique as opposed to my LT1 swap that seems boring compared to many on this sight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigWhyteDude Posted September 7, 2003 Share Posted September 7, 2003 can you guys explain to me what a T-56 trans axle is? Im confoosed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Juday Posted September 7, 2003 Share Posted September 7, 2003 At the kit car show today in San Leandro there was an in-process GTO replica that is using a C5 drive train and suspension. The car had to be significantly widened to accomodate that bad boy transaxel. It's a big pig and would likely offer no advantage in a V8 Z over a conventional configuration. Wow factor only goes so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted September 7, 2003 Share Posted September 7, 2003 can you guys explain to me what a T-56 trans axle is? Im confoosed A transaxle is the transmission and rear-end (differential) all encased into one single component midway between the driving axles (which in this case is the rear axle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LS1T Posted September 7, 2003 Share Posted September 7, 2003 can you guys explain to me what a T-56 trans axle is? Im confoosed Basically its just a FWD type transmission/differental.......(trans/axle) get it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted September 7, 2003 Share Posted September 7, 2003 A picture is worth a thousand words: That's two thousand words worth! Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted September 7, 2003 Share Posted September 7, 2003 Thanks Tim. I've always wanted to see one. Any chance of pics of how the driveshaft tube is attached to the engine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nic-Rebel450CA Posted September 7, 2003 Share Posted September 7, 2003 Thanks Tim. I've always wanted to see one. Any chance of pics of how the driveshaft tube is attached to the engine? Looks like it connects up like a bellhousing (second pic above) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted September 7, 2003 Share Posted September 7, 2003 FWIW - My '77 280Z, with a Camaro LS1 and T56 is 1,400 lbs. on the nose and 1,430 lbs on the tail. Using a transaxle will even more rear bias the wieght - besides adding a whole lot of work to end up with a less balaced vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrenchtech Posted September 8, 2003 Author Share Posted September 8, 2003 I was going to ask just exactly what that is a picture of when I read the web address of the image (I knew it was a C5, just not what it was for ). It appears to be the running gear from a C5 Corvette destined for use under a 1968 Camaro body! Does the hybrid chevy-z have the motor set back more in relation to the front axle than what we seen in this example? Thanks this picture is exactly what was needed to illustrate the concept! Matt A picture is worth a thousand words: That's two thousand words worth! Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrenchtech Posted September 8, 2003 Author Share Posted September 8, 2003 I looked at your website: that's one sharp looking Z! Matt FWIW - My '77 280Z, with a Camaro LS1 and T56 is 1,400 lbs. on the nose and 1,430 lbs on the tail. Using a transaxle will even more rear bias the wieght - besides adding a whole lot of work to end up with a less balaced vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustAFantaZ Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 I looked at your website: that's one sharp looking Z! Matt I second that. I especially like that MotorSport speaker box. I know what I'll be getting for my next Hybrid Z project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 Thanks for the kind words guys. I've had the car 12 years now. The paint job is 6 years old. I figure I'll have to do it again in another two years as its starting to get a little beat up. Car is in the shop again but it's "supposed" to be back out this week. Transmission and exhaust work primarily. I'm really looking forward to going 'hunting' again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigWhyteDude Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 that looks realy heavy. what would be the benifits of using a trans-axle set up like that compaired to a nomal RWD trans and diff??????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Blazer406 Posted October 4, 2003 Share Posted October 4, 2003 FWIW - My '77 280Z, with a Camaro LS1 and T56 is 1,400 lbs. on the nose and 1,430 lbs on the tail. Using a transaxle will even more rear bias the wieght - besides adding a whole lot of work to end up with a less balaced vehicle. How much weight difference is there from your 280 to the '70-'73 240's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted October 4, 2003 Share Posted October 4, 2003 In totally stock original form the 240Z is close to 400lbs lighter than an equivalent 280Z. Additional structure in the body, the slightly larger engine, the crash bumpers, and components related to fuel injection were responsible for the weight gain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Blazer406 Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 I am tickled on the 400# weight diff. I have a '73 240Z and am fixing to start a SBC V-8 conversion. I plan on a aluminum headed SBC with aluminum intake and headers and a 700R4 tranny and a transplanted R200 from a '76 280Z automatic car. What do you think the weight will be if I don't gut or do anything drastic to cut the weight.....? I was hoping for 2400-2500# w/o driver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest autocroos76 Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 I read an article in a magazine where they tried to use the T56 transaxle. The problem they had is that the torque tube is made of a composite that is nearly imposible to cut. So unless you are going to discard the torque tube you won't be able to use the t56 transaxle. Good luck with your project whichever way you go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 If you pretty much leave the car stock i would expect it to gain 120-150lbs over original weight. You may decide, as most others have, that the unibody needs a little help and add in some bracing/structural reinforcement which would add some more weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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