warrenp Posted January 23, 2002 Share Posted January 23, 2002 i bought this t56 with out even knowing if it will bolt up to a 350 or a 400 sb chevy? is a ls1 a different bolt pattern? i have my doubts, but i figured i would ask. if it's not the same bolt pattern does any one make a adapter plate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biohzrd Posted January 23, 2002 Share Posted January 23, 2002 if it for an ls1 it will have a different bell housing than the one for the regular small block. i don't know if you can swap out the bellhousing or if there is an adapter for it. sorry to break the news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagz Posted January 23, 2002 Share Posted January 23, 2002 biohzrd is right. The LS1 based ('98 and newer) T56 won't work. You need/want one from an LT1 based ('93 to '97) Camaro/Firebird. I had the same problem. No one that I could find manufactures an adaptor for it. I was able to get the guy I was buying my T56 from to swap it out for a '97 model. He told me that the later ones might work after the input shaft and a few other parts on the newer tranny is swapped with the older parts. Sorry, no good news here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Posted January 25, 2002 Share Posted January 25, 2002 Does the T-56 have a unique bellhousing? or will the trans work with my 60's Chevy truck V8 / 4 spd bellhousing (4 bolts spaced in a rectangle) with slave cyl mounting provisions... (as mentioned in the JTR) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagz Posted January 26, 2002 Share Posted January 26, 2002 My understanding is that you have to use the bellhousing that came with a '93 to '97 T56. It will bolt up to the older 2-piece rear main small block, but you will have to use a special flywheel (Centerforce makes one) to adapt the newer clutch to the older style block. I bought a '97 T56, but haven't collected all of the other parts so, I'm not speaking from experience... yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VRJoe Posted January 27, 2002 Share Posted January 27, 2002 I'm in the process of hooking a '98 t56 to a '94 LT1. It will require either an 1/2 inch adapter or shortening the input shaft by 1/2 inch. I should have more info by the end of the week after a few more measurements and a conversation with a machine shop. The bellhousing is different for the LS1. The top hole in the bellhousing does not line up with a hole in the block and the top right hole on the block gets skipped since there is no hole in the bellhousing. This should not be a problem. With any luck I'll have a solution for this issue soon. Hope that helps. -VRJoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 27, 2002 Share Posted January 27, 2002 Yes, the T56 has a unique bellhousing, its very shallow for one thing, the throwout bearing is sandwiched in the clutch disk and pulls to disengage instead of push like most diaphram clutches. Its a odd arangement, surprised me when I first saw it. Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VRJoe Posted January 27, 2002 Share Posted January 27, 2002 Lone, you're right for the 94-97 T56 bellhousings. The 98+ T56 uses a hyd. throwout bearing, so the bellhousing has two holes in it for the hyd. line to enter and the bleed line to exit. Makes it real easy to tell them apart. This is why I'm adapting the 98+ T56. In both cases the bellhousing is unique to the T56 it is for. -VRJoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 27, 2002 Share Posted January 27, 2002 Thanks for the correction I didn't know they used a Hyd t-out bearing in 98 on's.. Good to know, and yeah that would be cool not having the slave hanging off it like the earlier models. Probably make exhaust a little easier on that side by my calculations. Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VRJoe Posted January 27, 2002 Share Posted January 27, 2002 Lone, You're welcome, consider it a partial payback on some of the good advice you've posted. I know I learned from it. I can answer these questions about the T56 because I'm right in the middle of it all. I'm going to find a way to use a '98 T56 with an LT1, I've got access to some great machine people with everything up to a Wire EDM (Hee-Hee). I think me and the bellhousing are going to wander over the for coffee on Monday -VRJoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warrenp Posted January 27, 2002 Author Share Posted January 27, 2002 VRjoe, what type of machine work are we talking about the trans that is comming for me is 98+, so i will require all the info u can shoot out to me. a friend of mine owns a small machine shop. so he maybe or may not be able to help? that depends on what kind of work we are looking at? is thare any way, i can just use an other bellhousing? wouldn't that just be esier? or nothing else will bolt up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VRJoe Posted January 27, 2002 Share Posted January 27, 2002 Warrenp, the bellhousing is specific to the T56, and the 98+ T56 is set up for the hyd. throwout bearing. When a 98+ T56 is hooked up to a LT1 the input shaft is 1/2 inch too long. What needs to be done is a 1/2 inch spacer needs to be placed between the bellhousing and the trans face. The folks I'm going to talk to have the capability of putting this part into production, so I'll let you know. This setup is based on using a 97 Corvette flywheel/clutch/pressure plate combination. Your friend should be able to make the adapter for you, it's just a question of cost. I'll be able to estimate the cost for the adapter after I meet with them this week. I'll let you know as soon as I have a price. -VRJoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warrenp Posted January 28, 2002 Author Share Posted January 28, 2002 **** , that sucks. goo thing i havn't paid for this thing yet. the gut only want a $1000 for it. and it's rebuilt. a spacer shouldn't be a big deal. well find out the info, i hope u can make it work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VRJoe Posted January 28, 2002 Share Posted January 28, 2002 Scratch the '97 Vette setup, I got bad info. The flywheel won't bolt up to the '94 LT1 crank. I'll make some calls on Monday and keep you posted. -VRJoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VRJoe Posted February 1, 2002 Share Posted February 1, 2002 Warren, I'd pass on the 98+ T56 if I were you and look for a 94-97. The conversion is looking quite complex and I'm not hearing good things about the GM hyd. throwout setup . I may have a line on a rebuilt 96 , if you're interested let me know and I'll check on it for you. I'm going to swap the 98 for a 96. There seems to be a few T56s on ebay right now also. -VRJoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Dreamer Posted February 1, 2002 Share Posted February 1, 2002 Here's my "Good Deed" for the day. Call Weir Hotrod Products 800-633-9869 They make a T-56 adapter for early SBC and BBC. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted February 1, 2002 Share Posted February 1, 2002 I have looked at their ad and remember reading an article in DRIVE! magazine. It is apparently a two-piece bellhowsing that allows you to run the stock clutch, etc. I have not priced it out...yet. Wish they had a website! Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagz Posted February 1, 2002 Share Posted February 1, 2002 Z-Dreamer: MUCH THANKS for that info. I'll be calling them tomorrow myself. I've got a T56 out of a '97 FireChicken that didn't have a bellhousing with it. This may solve a few problems... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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