LS1/T56 1st gen Camaro Question

[GeoffP]

Is there a mount combination to retrofit an LS1 and T56 into a 1st gen Camaro that does not require cutting the transmission tunnel for clearance? I'd love some suggestions on direction for this swap. I've got the engine and am waiting to buy the transmission until my LT1 T56 sells. I don't really want to cut the floor pan of the car to make it work but will if I have to. Does anyone have pictures of the necessary modifications to the tunnel?

Before anyone says "use the search," I already have and haven't found anything useful.

Thanks very much!

[absintheisfun]

I've put an LS6/T56 in my 67, and as far as I can tell, it doesn't need any cutting. It is very close, but it looks as if there is enough clearance with the correct driveline angle.

I've got the Heidts sub, and stock height DSE solid aluminum body mounts.

I've heard that for some, it fits...for others, it does not.

[GeoffP]

Thanks for the info! I think I'm going to just try it with stock height solid body mounts and see how it fits. Do you by chance have any pictures of how close the engine sits to the firewall?

[absintheisfun]

proximity of the engine depends on which mounts you use. I used the energy suspension kit (http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=7520) and it left plenty of room. When you pull the trigger on a kit make sure you get the appropriate one-short/wide or tall/narrow!

There is a comprehensive list of the different manufacturers and where the engine will sit somewhere on this site but I can't remember where.

[69importkilla]

No cutting in mine except for the hole where the shifter comes thru..

[GeoffP]

What frame, motor mounts, and trans crossmember did you use? Ideally I would love for the shifter to come through at the same spot the LT T56 did but I don't think that's going to happen according to what I've read.

[69importkilla]

Edelbrock mounts and a ATS crossmember. It should be close, personally I'd rather have it further back because even a six feet tall I still have to reach to change gears..

[GeoffP]

Thanks - I'll have to check to see if Edelbrock still sells them. I think they are cancelling a lot of their "extra" parts lines due to poor sales.

[wd69ss]

Edelbrock mounts and a ATS crossmember. It should be close, personally I'd rather have it further back because even a six feet tall I still have to reach to change gears..

Does your car have a console? Was it originally a stick or automatic?

[GeoffP]

Yes, it has a console. It was originally an auto, but I had already cut the shifter hold and relocated the console when I had the LT1/T56 in the car.

[indebt69]

No cutting here either. Car Shop 1" set back plates. Think I have tall frame mounts or whichever ones big blocks got as that's what was in it before. I think I cut a bolt hole on the side of the tranny or something which was sticking out too far. It wasn't needed and I remember seeing it online somewhere to do.