t56 swap list, everything you need to know!

[tippmann243]

ok so ive been getting a LOT of pm's and there have been a lot of threads about this. so im gonna put all the info into one place.

if your mating an LSx t56 to a 4.3 this is what you will need

lsx t56 from a camaro or gto
3/4" adapter/spacer to bolt the trans to the block
lsx clutch kit
lsx slave/throw out bearing assembly.
lsx/98+ s10 clutch line
4.3/lsx flywheel
stock 4.3 starter
the drive shaft will need to be shortened
no exhaust mods needed

if your mating an lt1 trans to a 4.3

lt1 trans from an lt1/lt4 camaro, lt1 corvettes do NOT run a t56 they run a zf trans
lt1 flywheel (specific to the lt1 t56) a stock lt1 fly will only work on a 1 piece rms motor.
clutch kit. ALL lt1 clutch kits run an lt4 pressure plate regardless of manufacturer. so go buy an autozone kit and buy an aftermarket clutch disc of your choice.
if you are using a 95 and older block you can get away with the lt1 starter, if you have a 96+ 4.3 you need a 2.8 starter.
for a slave cylinder run one from a 92 305 5 speed camaro
clutch line from a 92-93 2.8 5 speed
y pipe will need to be remade to clear the clutch slave cylinder

i dont have any experience with clutch hydraulics on second gens so you are on your own there.

for a first gen you want a clutch master for a 92-93 2.8/4.3 manual combo.

as far as shifters, shifter location and cross memebrs your on your own. in my s10 i was able to slightly mod the stock x member, but in my blazer it was easier to make a custom one

to ge the speedo to work in a truck with an electric speedo all you need is a 40 tooth reluctor wheel. https://shell7.tdl.com/~jags/Pages/P...luct_ring.html

s10's dont have the wirign for skip shift so you can just leave the noid in the trans but not hooked up. or if you dont have the noid. this place sells a block off http://www.bigfastcar.com/ or do what i did and use a rubber plug and rtv that ****er in.

for reverse lockout. you have a few options. leave it unhooked and just muscle it in reverse every time. wire it up the the brakelight switch. so you have to hit the brakes for the noid to open allowing you to get reverse. or get a shift knob with a button. or wire a switch up on the dash.

could a mod please sticky this?

[the_dam_man]

A sticky has been a long time coming for this one!!

BTW I am picking up my LT1 T56 tomorrow afternoon and will prob tackle it later this month (labor day weekend and the weekend following it) so I will try and get a good write up going for the 2 gen 96+ 4.3L 5 speed trucks on the conversion. I have two 3 day weekends back to back so I figured the first weekend I can figure out the issues and the second should be just wrapping up things.

[the_dam_man]

any reason why a LT1 starter shouldn't work on a 96+ block when using a LT1 trans?

[tippmann243]

Quote: Originally Posted by the_dam_man

any reason why a LT1 starter shouldn't work on a 96+ block when using a LT1 trans?

the 96+ block only has a the staggered starter patern and the lt1 starter is a straight patern. you can run an lt1 starter but you ahve to drill and tap the second hole for the starter

[the_dam_man]

so a staggered pattern 153T starter will work then right?

[tippmann243]

Quote: Originally Posted by the_dam_man

so a staggered pattern 153T starter will work then right?

which is what the 2.8 starter is

[the_dam_man]

ah ok....any difference between a manual or auto trans starter? (sorry new to this bowtie world.....driven fords the last 14 years)

[tippmann243]

nope they are the same

[redxtruck]

so i am looking at doing this in my 2004 blazer. would you recommend the lsx t56?

[the_dam_man]

you can go LSX but the swap parts are different for it. You run a T5 bell with a spacer plate (.75" steel plate) and a stock T5 flywheel. I think in the end cost wise it is a wash (the LT1 stuff is a little more $$ for some items but the LSX requires more stuff to be purchased)

also I am not a fan of throwout/slave combos because if they fail you have to pull a trans (vs an external slave failing) the LSX setup is also longer than a LT1 trans.

I went LT1 because I got a killer deal on a rebuilt trans ($800 with bell) now I am looking at more than dsoubling that for the rest of my bits (billet flywheel, shifter, clutch, starter, etc) I could prob do it cheaper but wanted good parts from the get go.

another thing to consider is if you are planning on a LSX swap that maybe you should look for a take out combo with a T56 and LSX motor as it will be way cheaper than doing the T56 and then a LSX. One problem I have seen is a lack of pull out lower milage motors. most are 80K plus on them which don't get me wrong....they still have alot of life left but I would rather have a fresh engine my ride so I don't have to worry about a rebuild soon.

[tippmann243]

Quote: Originally Posted by redxtruck

so i am looking at doing this in my 2004 blazer. would you recommend the lsx t56?

both versions have their pros and cons. what you wanna run is up to you

[tippmann243]

Quote: Originally Posted by the_dam_man

you can go LSX but the swap parts are different for it. You run a T5 bell with a spacer plate (.75" steel plate) and a stock T5 flywheel.

not true. with the LSx t56 swap you run an lsx bell with a 3/4" spacer and a stock 4.3 5 speed flywheel or a flywheel from the lsx car

[redxtruck]

so this spacer has to be custom made?

[tippmann243]

Quote: Originally Posted by redxtruck

so this spacer has to be custom made?

yes. pm bad94 or boosted thrills i know they ahve made at least one. they might be able to hook you up

[the_dam_man]

btw I picked up my 1992 350 camaro slave today. it is a plastic housing with a pin to retain the hose and an allen head bleeder? (sorry this is my first hydrualic clutch and first chevy) I bought a LUK brand from autozone (other option was "brakesware" or some other overseas crap. the LUK box it came in have nothing but the slave in it....and they slave is marked with the AP logo (AP racing is a LARGE brake and clutch company from the UK that does alot of formula car, rally, etc type parts) once I get my NV dropped I will see if I can reuse my line or if I have to go to a different one.

[tippmann243]

Quote: Originally Posted by the_dam_man

btw I picked up my 1992 350 camaro slave today. it is a plastic housing with a pin to retain the hose and an allen head bleeder? (sorry this is my first hydrualic clutch and first chevy) I bought a LUK brand from autozone (other option was "brakesware" or some other overseas crap. the LUK box it came in have nothing but the slave in it....and they slave is marked with the AP logo (AP racing is a LARGE brake and clutch company from the UK that does alot of formula car, rally, etc type parts) once I get my NV dropped I will see if I can reuse my line or if I have to go to a different one.

first tiem around i reused my stock 4.3 line but didnt like how it was routed thats why i went with the 2.8 line.

also my 92 305 slave is aluminum with a bleeder valve like you see on a brake caliper. i got mine from advanced and im not sure on the brand anymore ill have to look it up in my file

[the_dam_man]

I kinda like the plastic one.....I knwo it isn't a crap reman but a new piece entirely. well hopefully they didn't change much on the 2nd gen setup.

btw made a deal and need to send the money tomorrow for a billet steel flywheel and shifter and F-body hydraulics today. guy at work will most likely buy the F-body bits off me (bought my pedal set that came with the trans) once that shows all I will need as fas as parts is a clutch kit and a reluctor wheel. The clutch and all will be ordered on friday when I paycheck is deposited. hopefully by the end of the month another T56 s10 will be rolling around.

oh and another shameless bump for a sticky

[dimerunner88]

so i'm assuming that swaping a t-56 onto an older carb'd 350 is just like a 4.3. am i right?

[the_dam_man]

should be. same bellhousing and all.

I am really kicking myself for not buying that $1500 wrecked z28 this winter....

[tippmann243]

Quote: Originally Posted by dimerunner88

so i'm assuming that swaping a t-56 onto an older carb'd 350 is just like a 4.3. am i right?

negative ghostrider

"lt1 flywheel (specific to the lt1 t56) a stock lt1 fly will only work on a 1 piece rms motor."

for an older non 1 piece RMS you have to buy a 400 dollar flywheel

[dimerunner88]

so a 4.3/lsx flywheel won't work? i was thinking the 4.3 had the same bolt pattern on the flywheel. hmmm

[tippmann243]

Quote: Originally Posted by dimerunner88

so a 4.3/lsx flywheel won't work? i was thinking the 4.3 had the same bolt pattern on the flywheel. hmmm

the 4.3/lsx fly will work for an lsx t56 swap, but not for the lt1 t56 swap

[the_dam_man]

on the topic of a spacer plate. could one drill it at home? if you made one to go between the trans and bell.

1. put in longer dowels in the T56 case.
2. drill a cetner hole in your plate for the input to pass through
3. use a transfer punch and drill press to drill the holes.

the only concern I can see is getting the dowel holes cocked or off just a little (enough) to screw up the alignement of the trans/bell.

[tippmann243]

well its not as easy as just drilling a hole for the input shaft you actually have to remove all the amterial so that it has the same shape as the stock bellhousing

[blazing saddle]

Bout that 2.8 starter stuff. I got really confused the other day while scrounging around for a starter for a 4.3 with a sudden problem. I had several and while searching through part numbers I came across one that fit the 4.3, 2.8, and 2.5. So if it looks the same, give it a shot, heck mine was from a 2.5.

[tippmann243]

Quote: Originally Posted by blazing saddle

Bout that 2.8 starter stuff. I got really confused the other day while scrounging around for a starter for a 4.3 with a sudden problem. I had several and while searching through part numbers I came across one that fit the 4.3, 2.8, and 2.5. So if it looks the same, give it a shot, heck mine was from a 2.5.

post the part number, because thats impossible. the 2.5 and 2.8 share the starter since they share trannies and ahve a 153 tooth cont fly but the 4.3 uses a 168 tooth flywheel so it wont work

[the_dam_man]

oh so I could grab a 2.5L starter too then?

are any of the 2.8L starters a gear reduction or mini style?

what about a 3.4L starter off a FWD car or F-body?

[tippmann243]

im not real sure about the 2.8 stuff seeing as how i went with an lt1 unit.

i love my lt1 starter cranks over my high compression 4.3 with ease. its not technically a mini starter but its about half the size of a stock 4.3 one so i guess you could call it a mini starter.

think about it. the lt1 starter is made to turn over a 11:1 cr LT4 motor so it should be able to crank anything just fine

[the_dam_man]

yeah it is just a shame it won't bolt to my 4.3L.....

I know this is another question for you.....but at the 5.7L vortecs the same deal with the angled started bolts? or would I be needing a LT1 starter for that one too?

[foxracer1]

I made my own adapter plate. The dowels are off a little i believe. But i made a plate to fit between the trans and bellhousing. We will see how it fits here in a week or two.

[the_dam_man]

fox you sound like you have a similar combo in the works like me!! (zexel, 4.10s, T56 350...)

figured I would get the T56 in before the winter driving season starts again (put 4,000 miles on my bike in three months so far)

[foxracer1]

Yeah i have been collecting parts for sometime now. I hope to get it running before long. I doubt i will before winter. But i do need to get the cab back on the frame so i can pull it out to insulate the garage before winter then finish the truck.

[the_dam_man]

mine is my daily (ride the bike in summer though) looking to swap my T56 laborday weekend (get a 3 day weekend and one the next weekend) so hoping over two weekends I can get it swapped in (praying for no rain)

[tippmann243]

Quote: Originally Posted by the_dam_man

yeah it is just a shame it won't bolt to my 4.3L.....

I know this is another question for you.....but at the 5.7L vortecs the same deal with the angled started bolts? or would I be needing a LT1 starter for that one too?

350's ahve both starter patterns so you will be fine with an lt1 starter

[442typhoondude]

Are there any details on putting an LS1/T56 in a 1998+ with a 5 speed center console?

-Does the late model T56 shifter line up with the late model NV3500 opening in the floor?

-Is the 1998+ 5 speed center console shifter opening wide enough to accommodate the 6 speed shifter travel? (Maybe with a short throw shift kit?)

-Is the T56 shift handle even tall enough to work in the 5 speed center consoles?

[the_dam_man]

teh T56 shifter is at the back of the trans and a NV3500 is in the front/middle of the trans.....about 12" farther forward or so. so I am gonna say no to the above...

btw I called JTR/Stealth yesterday they are out of the 40T reluctors for the T56 and may not be making more. so looks like I am into having one fabbed up (looking at a 40T for a 4L60E and have it bored out and the stock 17T in the trans turned down and the works pressed/welded together) so this is really throwing a wrench in the works for me swapping in two weeks now. anyone have one of these laying around as a spare?

[What?]

Stickied

[dimerunner88]

sweetness, thanks What?

[tippmann243]

Quote: Originally Posted by What?

Stickied

thanks

[442typhoondude]

I just did a google search about shifter relocation for the T56, and I found a couple results that were related to complete kits offered by McLeod Industries (not S10 specific though). I looked at their site but all of their stuff is in gay PDF.

I wonder if they make, or would be willing to make a relocation kit for the S-series. I'm just dreaming at this point, but if anyone's interested, I figure they'd be a good start if a guy was looking for a more natural shifter location.

It'd be mechanical linkage, but it beats the hell out of having to force the seat sides out of the way to shift.

[02_Black_XBlazer]

Quote: Originally Posted by What?

Stickied

Excellent. Thank you. And thanks to tippman243 for all the excellent info.

[foxracer1]

Theres a company that relocates or has transmissions with relocated shifters for T-56 trans. I can't remember the site. I believe i found thier ad in an issue of hot rod. They were pretty pricey though. They made them so people could put T-56's in old pick up trucks.

[foxracer1]

http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/new_gm_shifter.html

Found it!

[the_dam_man]

Anyone know of a solution for the reluctor wheel now? JTR/Stealth is out and said they may not have anymore made up.

I didn't know if the wheel from a NV3500 could be used in the T56?

[tippmann243]

you could run a differential mounted reluctor kit, or fint some one to make you a 40tooth reluctor wheel

i still need to order one for me too, maybe we could get a few people together and get them to make a small bathc

[the_dam_man]

I am all for having a GP to see if they will batch them again!!!

I don't like the diff mounted setup as mine is a daily and not liking th eidea of it getting caught up on something and it doesn't look too clean IMHO

[dezerts10]

I am planning on running a 4.3 and a t 56 in my off road truck. I picked up a 2002 4.3L for xcheap and i will be getting a t56 soon. what are the best parts to get? is a t56 out of a camero the best thing to get? is there any way to run the slave cylinder on the out side of the tranny case? i assume ill be asking alot of questions soon as i am just getting around to gathering the parts.

thanks
Gregg

[tippmann243]

Quote: Originally Posted by dezerts10

I am planning on running a 4.3 and a t 56 in my off road truck. I picked up a 2002 4.3L for xcheap and i will be getting a t56 soon. what are the best parts to get? is a t56 out of a camero the best thing to get? is there any way to run the slave cylinder on the out side of the tranny case? i assume ill be asking alot of questions soon as i am just getting around to gathering the parts.

thanks
Gregg

do some research.

also what is this camero you keep talking about

[dezerts10]

camaro is that better?

research means asking questions doesnt it? if some one else has done this like you its easier to ask questions then search for everything your self.

Gregg

[Kurt]

Quote: Originally Posted by dezerts10

camaro is that better?

research means asking questions doesnt it? if some one else has done this like you its easier to ask questions then search for everything your self.

Gregg

I think he means LT1 or LS1?