Look what we found...

[minendrews68]

Yesterday a guy was working on my son's Jeep. When we went to pick it up after he fixed it we were talking and I asked him if he knew anyone that might have a six speed trans. He said, not off the top of his head, then said "yes I do, hold on" He proceeded to tell me about someone on Facebook that had a 1994 Trans Am for sale about a hour away. The face book page didn't have a phone number so he texted them and told them to call my number. About 20 minutes later I get a call, I asked if the car was still for sale and if it had a six speed or not. The car was still for sale and yes it did have a six speed. She proceeded to tell me that someone was coming from 3 hours away, but hadn't talked to them in a while, that if I wanted it, it was first come first serve. I loaded up Andrew, the trailer, and headed out. Here is what we came home with.






It does have the six speed, LT-1 5.7, car is a little rough, but for what I gave for the complete car, I figured there was no way I could go wrong. On the way home, Andrew asks what I'm going to do with the rest of the car after I take the trans out, I told him I was going to sell off the rest. He tells me he wants the car and wants to fix it up for himself. He's wanting to put a LS-1 in it. Does a papa proud don't it... He's 19, in college, and got a good part time job so....

One question I have is (for all you guys in the know) will the bell housing that is on this LT-1 fit my sbc, or will I have to get something like a Quick Time housing. At least I have everything I'm going to need to make it work in reference to the hydraulics. I really want to use the manual clutch setup I have on my Muncie 4 speed though.

What do you guys think, scrap it, or let him go at it?
The guy in the yellow shirt is who we bought it from the short guy getting into the truck is ... well, me.

[TheJDMan]

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but it is my understanding that the LT version of the T56 will need to have the input shaft and maybe the front plate changed to work with an LS application. IMO, let him fix the car up as is. Sounds like he has the interest and what better way to stoke that fire.

[minendrews68]

Steve, I'm going to put this T56 behind my SBC 383. I currently have a Muncie close ratio 4 speed. He want's to do the LS-1 with 6 speed combination. I told him if he wanted to fix this car up just keep what's here and build from that, but he's hard headed and for some reason want's a LS motor. To each his own. I'm stoked he has the interest, although he has helped me tremendously on my Camaro.

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

Honestly, as a former 4th gen Trans Am owner, don't waste the time swapping an LS1 into it. It can be done, people have done it, but there are numerous changes they did in 98 to go to the LS1 (crossmember, rack and pinion, fuel system, cooling system, just to name a few). To track down the parts needed individually would be extremely time consuming, and nickel and dime you to death. On top of that, LS1 F-body prices have gotten so low anymore, it's hard to justify the swap unless you have previous sentimental attachment to the car. I'd part the car out (I got around $2k for the parts of a 97 T/A convertible I parted 2 years ago), and take that money and apply it towards an LS car, which you can easily get for around $3-4k these days.

[TheJDMan]

You will love the T56 behind your 383sbc. I have a T56 Magnum behind my 383sbc with a QuickTime bell housing in Dust Off and I love the combination. Just FYI you can keep your conventional clutch and mechanical linkage if you don't what to go to all the hassle of converting to a hydraulic clutch.

[minendrews68]

Point taken Josh, I'll run this by him this evening when he gets back in from work. This is really rougher than I want to do but if he still wants to, I'm in.

Steve, I do want to keep the conventional clutch, do I have to use the Quick Time housing, or will it bolt straight up, as is, with the T56 housing. So far you've made me glad today. I wasn't looking forward to putting all the hydraulics in. I may hit you up for some guidance once I get started. Will the stock '68 cross member work? It seems like I need another one since this trans sits back farther that the Muncie.

[srh3trinity]

A stroker lt1 build with an lt4 hot cam would be fun.

[Tomswheels]

Take the t-56 out, put a T-5 in behind the LT1, and have fun with it!

[TheJDMan]

Carl,
I can point you to the unique parts you will need to run a mechanical linkage. The first thing will be to install an 1 1/8" 26 spline input shaft and maybe change the front cover in the trans but you need to contact a T56 expert to get the specific parts required. Once the trans has been converted to LS the rest is cake. PM me when you get ready.

[minendrews68]

Steve,
The 383 stroker I'm putting the T-56 behind isn't a LS motor, just old school Small Block. This is why i was hoping everything was direct bolt up.

[minendrews68]

Take the t-56 out, put a T-5 in behind the LT1, and have fun with it!

This is a idea..

[BonzoHansen]

Part the bird out, free trans

[minendrews68]

Part the bird out, free trans

This was my first intention until my son decided he wanted to fix it up for himself. I think its going to be way too cost prohibitive. The interior is a mess, needs to be painted, etc.

will the clutch and flywheel I'm currently using (4 speed muncie), work with the T-56? or will the LT-1 clutch and flywheel work?

[TheJDMan]

will the clutch and flywheel I'm currently using (4 speed muncie), work with the T-56? or will the LT-1 clutch and flywheel work?

Carl,
I understand you are running an old school sbc 383 stroker, so am I, and your current flywheel and clutch will not work with that T56 in it's current LT configuration which is why you will have to swap out the LT input shaft to an LS shaft. Once the T56 is converted to an LS configuration, meaning 1 1/8" 26 spline input shaft, then you are good to go and can use your existing clutch assembly and clutch linkage provided your current Muncie is 26 spline and not 10 spline.

[minendrews68]

OK, Sorry, I thought you didn't understand what I was talking about, when in reality I was the dummy. Thanks Steve...
Could I use the LT configuration that's on the Trans AM, on my 383, or will it not bolt up? If not I haven't gone in to a 6 speed before and I'm not sure if I'm qualified to make the change. I'm guessing the bell housing will bolt up ok. Sorry for the confusion.

[SSLance]

Depends on if your 383 is a one piece rear main seal or older 2 piece rear main seal. That trans, bell housing, clutch flywheel etc will bolt up to any 1 piece rear main seal block.

If the block is a 2 piece rear main seal, you'll need a pretty pricey flywheel and a different clutch setup.

[minendrews68]

Depends on if your 383 is a one piece rear main seal or older 2 piece rear main seal. That trans, bell housing, clutch flywheel etc will bolt up to any 1 piece rear main seal block.

If the block is a 2 piece rear main seal, you'll need a pretty pricey flywheel and a different clutch setup.

Do you know which flywheel? I'm not sure, I bet this is a two piece rear main seal though.

[SSLance]

The block in that car is a 1 piece rear main seal, The flywheel in it will work on any 1 piece rear main seal block (most after 87-88 are 1 piece rear main seal).

I'm not sure how you tell if the block in your other car is a 1 piece or two piece RMS. There may be a way to identify it but I'm not sure.

You can get a 2 piece rear main seal flywheel to work with that trans, they are a bit pricey (like $250-300) but they work. You need to find out which block you have first though.

[TheJDMan]

It sounds like you have two options. 1. Go with the conversion flywheel/clutch that Lance is talking about for the current LT configuration T56. Or 2. Convert the T56 to an LS configuration and use your existing flywheel/clutch.

[minendrews68]

It is a early 2 piece rear main seal. (of course). Is the input shaft readily available? Is it a pain to put in? Is it cheaper than the flywheel?
Out of curiosity, what is the difference in the two flywheels? (the one piece rms or the two piece rms?) I know questions, questions, questions...