T56 Swap - Complete cost?

[Taylor1969]

Hey all,

I am thinking about swapping in a t56 to my SBC in a 69 Camaro. I would like to put together the complete costs to get this done. Is this everything needed for the swap if I want to go mechanical linkage?

Lets say I already have the following:
LS1 T56
Standard chevy bellhousing
1969 Manual Pedals
Electric Speedo
Stock driveshaft that will be shortened


I need to purchase the following:
McLeod LS1 T56 to SBC adapter Plate (8207) - $250
Crossmember - ATS (is this my best option?) - $330
RodLinks Clutch Linkage for '67-'69 Camaro - $60
McLeod Super StreetPro Clutch Kit pressure plate, disc, throwout
bearing , alignment tool, and pressure plate bolts - $325
McLeod Steel Flywheel (MCL-460130) - $329

Grand total - $1300

Am I missing anything? Any input would be great!

[kyphur]

Quicktime has a direct replacement bellhousing for LS1/T56's to mate up to GenI SBC's that allows all stock internal hydraulics from what they told me. They have two different versions of the same part number though so make sure you get the newest one otherwise you'll still need the adapter plate.

RM-8023 is the part number if I remember correctly off the top of my head. It runs 450-500 bucks though.

[TnBlkC230WZ]

Are you looking for new, used, T-56 or T-56 Magnum?

[Taylor1969]

Are you looking for new, used, T-56 or T-56 Magnum?

Honestly I would like to go used if possible.

[Mkelcy]

Hey all,

I am thinking about swapping in a t56 to my SBC in a 69 Camaro. I would like to put together the complete costs to get this done. Is this everything needed for the swap if I want to go mechanical linkage?

Lets say I already have the following:
LS1 T56
Standard chevy bellhousing
1969 Manual Pedals
Electric Speedo
Stock driveshaft that will be shortened


I need to purchase the following:
McLeod LS1 T56 to SBC adapter Plate (8207) - $250
Crossmember - ATS (is this my best option?) - $330
RodLinks Clutch Linkage for '67-'69 Camaro - $60
McLeod Super StreetPro Clutch Kit pressure plate, disc, throwout
bearing , alignment tool, and pressure plate bolts - $325
McLeod Steel Flywheel (MCL-460130) - $329

Grand total - $1300

Am I missing anything? Any input would be great!

What's in the car now - automatic or stick?

[Taylor1969]

what's in the car now - automatic or stick?

th-350

[BonzoHansen]

And handful of electrical stuff - reverse lights, reverse lockout, VSS - add maybe $40, pigtails and such.

McLeod extended pilot bushing ~$45

If using mech linkage, a clutch fork ~$25

Shifter?

[Mkelcy]

If you have:

• LS1 T56
  Standard chevy bellhousing
  1969 Manual Pedals
  Electric Speedo
  Stock driveshaft that will be shortened

You'll need:

• McLeod LS1 T56 to SBC adapter Plate (8207) - Make sure it includes the extended pilot bushing and bearing retainer on which the throwout bearing rides
• Crossmember - ATS is a good option; there aren't a lot out there. BMR makes one too for about the same price.
• RodLinks Clutch Linkage for '67-'69 Camaro - Good choice
• McLeod Super StreetPro Clutch Kit - Unless you're making crazy power or plan on a lot of drag racing, this may be over kill. You could probably get something that would work perfectly well for less. I'm using a no-name diaphragm clutch with 365RWHP (in a car that's not drag raced) with no issues whatsover in 28,000 miles.
  McLeod Steel Flywheel - Again, that's the high end of what you could use. Also, will your bellhousing accept an 11" flywheel?

You'll also need a Z bar, the frame end mounting plate for the Z bar, the motor end ball stud for the Z bar, a spring for linkage retention; a transmission mount, connector pigtails for the VSS, backup light and reverse lockout on the T56, and a shifter boot for the shifter.
There's probably other stuff I've forgotten. Look at the Classic Motorsports Group and Keisler kit pictures for confirmation.

[Taylor1969]

If you have:

• LS1 T56
  Standard chevy bellhousing
  1969 Manual Pedals
  Electric Speedo
  Stock driveshaft that will be shortened

You'll need:

• McLeod LS1 T56 to SBC adapter Plate (8207) - Make sure it includes the extended pilot bushing and bearing retainer on which the throwout bearing rides
• Crossmember - ATS is a good option; there aren't a lot out there. BMR makes one too for about the same price.
• RodLinks Clutch Linkage for '67-'69 Camaro - Good choice
• McLeod Super StreetPro Clutch Kit - Unless you're making crazy power or plan on a lot of drag racing, this may be over kill. You could probably get something that would work perfectly well for less. I'm using a no-name diaphragm clutch with 365RWHP (in a car that's not drag raced) with no issues whatsover in 28,000 miles.
  McLeod Steel Flywheel - Again, that's the high end of what you could use. Also, will your bellhousing accept an 11" flywheel?

You'll also need a Z bar, the frame end mounting plate for the Z bar, the motor end ball stud for the Z bar, a spring for linkage retention; a transmission mount, connector pigtails for the VSS, backup light and reverse lockout on the T56, and a shifter boot for the shifter.
There's probably other stuff I've forgotten. Look at the Classic Motorsports Group and Keisler kit pictures for confirmation.

Thanks for the input guys!

What would you suggest for clutch and flywheel? I am clueless when it comes to this stuff

[Mkelcy]

Thanks for the input guys!

What would you suggest for clutch and flywheel? I am clueless when it comes to this stuff

What engine is in the car, how is it modified from stock, are you going to be drag racing and what rear end ratio do you have?

[Taylor1969]

What engine is in the car, how is it modified from stock, are you going to be drag racing and what rear end ratio do you have?

It has a 383 with I would guess somewhere around 300RWHP - not sure, but I would think it is under 350RWHP. Car currently has 2.73 gears, but would most likely change them to something like a 3.73 or so (have a suggestion?).

Car won't see any track time, or very little

[Mkelcy]

It has a 383 with I would guess somewhere around 300RWHP - not sure, but I would think it is under 350RWHP. Car currently has 2.73 gears, but would most likely change them to something like a 3.73 or so (have a suggestion?).

Car won't see any track time, or very little

2.73's? Wow! Are you changing the rear gears when you change the transmission? If not, I'd hold off on the tranny swap until you can. With 2.73's out back, you'd theoretically be doing over 110mph at 2,000 rpm in 6th gear and first gear would be a complete dog.

I'd go 4.11's. Anything lower numerically makes 6th gear pretty useless in a non-LSx engined car.

For the clutch and flywheel, if it was me, I'd simply get a decent name brand 10.4"/10.5" diaphragm clutch (without the Centerforce weights) and billet flywheel and call it good. Remember to check your bellhousing for proper alignment along the crankshaft center line.

The one other suggestion I'd make is that I won't run anything but a steel SFI bellhousing on a high performance car if I've got a choice. Modern flywheels rarely let go, but when they do, it's not pretty. I'd take some of the money saved on the flywheel/clutch and put it into a scattershield.

If you're willing to go with the hydraulic clutch linkage (or get a "front intermediate plate" for the T56 set up for a clutch fork pivot ball), you could skip the adapter plate and go with the Mcleod modular bellhousing.

Take a look here for some info on this swap:http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=98387

[Scott Parkhurst]

just a quick question- if you've got a first-gen small-block, why not go with an LT1 T56 and save a lot of headaches?

That's what I did, and I used a stock LT1 bellhousing, stock hydraulic clutch setup, and LT1 clutch, and it all bolted right up using ATS stuff. I use a stock clutch pedal too.



The LS1 stuff requires adapters that the LT1 setup does not, and that's just extra expense if you're using a first-gen SBC.

Plus, I like hydraulic clutches over mechanical ones, but that's a personal preference.

Oh- and I run 3.89 gears in the rear and still get 20 mpg on the freeway. It's the way to go!

[Taylor1969]

just a quick question- if you've got a first-gen small-block, why not go with an LT1 T56 and save a lot of headaches?

That's what I did, and I used a stock LT1 bellhousing, stock hydraulic clutch setup, and LT1 clutch, and it all bolted right up using ATS stuff. I use a stock clutch pedal too.

The LS1 stuff requires adapters that the LT1 setup does not, and that's just extra expense if you're using a first-gen SBC.

Plus, I like hydraulic clutches over mechanical ones, but that's a personal preference.

Oh- and I run 3.89 gears in the rear and still get 20 mpg on the freeway. It's the way to go!

I thought that you have to do something special to get an LT1 T56 to bolt up. Aren't the clutches much more expensive?

[Rybar]

I would also suggest an LT1 T56. From what I remember they bolt right up to SBC. An LT1 and LS1 clutch should cost very similar.

[BonzoHansen]

It has a 383 with I would guess somewhere around 300RWHP - not sure, but I would think it is under 350RWHP. Car currently has 2.73 gears, but would most likely change them to something like a 3.73 or so (have a suggestion?).

Car won't see any track time, or very little

A $75 stock replacement flywheel would be fine. MK is right, you need gears or all this is for nothing. You'd barely use 5th.

[Taylor1969]

A $75 stock replacement flywheel would be fine. MK is right, you need gears or all this is for nothing. You'd barely use 5th.

I am going to get gears for sure.

[Taylor1969]

A $75 stock replacement flywheel would be fine.

This is why I want to go with the ls1 style T56. The part number that McLeod gave me for the proper LT1 style flywheel to mate with my 2 pc sbc was cost $450.

[TnBlkC230WZ]

You can go with the LS combo, you just won't be able to used 6th until you get rid of the 2.73 gears. You have to start some where. You need to see if your 383 is externally or internally balanced. If internally balanced, the $75 flywheel is fine. You can even get one from GM for under $100. If it is externally balanced, you will need a 400 flywheel. These are usually a little more, but won't break the bank. A $200 Sachs clutch kit should be fine for your engine. I know Keisler sells them and you can get them from Keisler, ebay and others.

The Gear Box (www.gearbox.org) will have the adapter plates as well.

[Taylor1969]

Looks like my list may be as follows then:


I need to purchase the following:
The Gear Box LS1 T56 to SBC adapter Plate - $190
The Gear Box Extended Pilot Bushing - $25
Crossmember - RaptorX - $200
RodLinks Clutch Linkage for '67-'69 Camaro - $60
Sachs Clutch Kit - $200
GM Steel Flywheel - $100

Grand total - $775