Viper T56

[78 Bird]

Hey guys, im sure theres a thread out there somewhere about this but i couldnt find one with everything i needed. i can get a good deal on a viper t56 to go behind my 78 firebird with a first gen 350 in it. the questions i had are:
what are the differences in shifter location between that and the trans am t56?
is there any difference in torque ratings between the two?
does the viper t56 make it any harder to swap into my application than a t/a t56?
are the gaer ratios the same?
can i still get an adapter plate and use my stock clutch linkage?
and are there any problems ill run into with the # of splines (are they different than the t/a t56)?

thanks guys, looking at buying it today if there are no problems

[nine lives johnny]

from what i've noticed, finding a viper t56 is next to impossible. It does have very strong syncros, but it's not hard to upgrade a standard t56 to that level. Why are you looking at the viper box in particular?

[Mkelcy]

what are the differences in shifter location between that and the trans am t56?

Viper is a bit more forward than the LS1 style T56

is there any difference in torque ratings between the two?

The Viper is stronger than an LS1 T56

does the viper t56 make it any harder to swap into my application than a t/a t56?

No, other than that the rear mount is farther from the centerline of the output shaft (lower) by about 1.5" or so, so a cross member designed for an LS1 T56 would need to be modified

are the gaer ratios the same?

Yes, the same as a 2.66:1 LS1 T56

can i still get an adapter plate and use my stock clutch linkage?

Yes

and are there any problems ill run into with the # of splines (are they different than the t/a t56)?

Viper output shaft is different than LS1 T56 output shaft, but yokes are readily available.

[78 Bird]

from what i've noticed, finding a viper t56 is next to impossible. It does have very strong syncros, but it's not hard to upgrade a standard t56 to that level. Why are you looking at the viper box in particular?

im really looking for any t56 but that one showed up on craigslist for a fair price so i thought id see if its worth it only 30k on it too. he is asking 1500 obo

[78 Bird]

Viper is a bit more forward than the LS1 style T56

The Viper is stronger than an LS1 T56

No, other than that the rear mount is farther from the centerline of the output shaft (lower) by about 1.5" or so, so a cross member designed for an LS1 T56 would need to be modified

Yes, the same as a 2.66:1 LS1 T56

Yes

Viper output shaft is different than LS1 T56 output shaft, but yokes are readily available.

Thanks so much, very helpful, looks like I'm going to try and make a deal on this one

[Mkelcy]

Thanks so much, very helpful, looks like I'm going to try and make a deal on this one

One other thing - The Viper input shaft is longer than that of an LS1 T56 and the portion that goes into the pilot bushing is thicker. The length works with the 1/2" thick adapter plate, but you'll need to find a pilot bushing that works (someone may make one) or have a machinist (don't do this on your home drill press) bore out a standard Chevy pilot pushing.

[78 Bird]

One other thing - The Viper input shaft is longer than that of an LS1 T56 and the portion that goes into the pilot bushing is thicker. The length works with the 1/2" thick adapter plate, but you'll need to find a pilot bushing that works (someone may make one) or have a machinist (don't do this on your home drill press) bore out a standard Chevy pilot pushing.

Perfect, I know a guy who can get that done, thanks again for the info!

[78 Bird]

Update on the transmission: I stopped down to look at it today and it was very clean, with paperwork proving that it came from a viper shop near us and it included the yoke and the shifter, clicked into all gears and seemed to be fine after inspection so I ended up buying it. talked him down to $1,350, good deal? now one quick question, I am planning on running the adapter plate and my stock bellhousing, when looking for clutches, am I looking for a clutch that would go on a viper that the tranny came from or does it have to be something different, only reason I ask is because I am using the stock bellhousing and the manual clutch linkage and I wasn't sure what clutch to get since I believe the viper would've had a hydraulic clutch. if someone could just clear that up for me so I know what I'm looking for that'd be great!

[Mkelcy]

If you're happy with the clutch you have now, all you need to do is get a clutch disk for a 26 spline 1.125" diameter input shaft and swap it in.

[78 Bird]

If you're happy with the clutch you have now, all you need to do is get a clutch disk for a 26 spline 1.125" diameter input shaft and swap it in.

Ok, I don't really want to keep my clutch since it is I believe a stock replacement from all the way back when my car had a 305 in it. but from what it sounds like, all I'll need to do is get a clutch kit that has a disk for 26 spline 1.125" di. input shaft and just make sure it matches up with my flywheel and I'm good to go?

[Mkelcy]

Ok, I don't really want to keep my clutch since it is I believe a stock replacement from all the way back when my car had a 305 in it. but from what it sounds like, all I'll need to do is get a clutch kit that has a disk for 26 spline 1.125" di. input shaft and just make sure it matches up with my flywheel and I'm good to go?

That should do it.

[78 Bird]

That should do it.

perfect! you've been a huge help! hopefully everything else in the swap will go smoothly.