LS2 swap question

[Decline]

Hi,
This is kind of a general question about this swap..I think read somewhere on here that the only full pull out swap (engine/trans/accessories) that will "bolt in" to a 1st gen camaro is the GTO LS2? I can't find the thread where i read this as it was quite some time ago.

I know you can't use a 5th Gen LS3 camaro because the end of the T56 is different..There are custom driveshafts that address this but they re like $1000, and the generl cost of this engine is still alot more than the GTO

My basic problem is I want a manual trans in my car and the aftermarket T56 magnum and the neccesary componets to bolt up to my sbc350 is in the $5k range. I could get a GTO pull out for around $1k more



My car is a 69 Camaro with an Art morrison front clip and a sbc 350 and TH350

[andrewb70]

The GTO LS2 has a front sump pan, so that will have to be swapped out. The GTO T56 lends itself well to being used in older vehicles because it does have a conventional slip yoke, however, the GTO gear ratios are the same as the wide ratio T56 Magnum (2.97 1st gear, etc...).

Other than that, the GTO LS2 is a good swap candidate. You can ask AM what pan they would recommend. Hopefully a stock 4th gen F-body pan will work, as they are readily available and will integrate with the GTO bellhousing.

Andrew

[Decline]

Thank you for your prompt response..I was not aware of the wider gear ratios..Could this be compensated for with more aggressive rear end gearing, say 4.11s?
Looks like i need to continue my on going research.

[andrewb70]

Thank you for your prompt response..I was not aware of the wider gear ratios..Could this be compensated for with more aggressive rear end gearing, say 4.11s?
Looks like i need to continue my on going research.

The close ration T56 gears use a 2.66 1st gear. Personally, I see no issues with the 2.97 1st gear and I would stick with a rear gear ratio that was similar to the GTOs 3.42.

Andrew

[67rally]

The close ration T56 gears use a 2.66 1st gear. Personally, I see no issues with the 2.97 1st gear and I would stick with a rear gear ratio that was similar to the GTOs 3.42.

Andrew

FWIW, I have a GTO T56 (2.97 1st) with 4.10's in my '67 and it's a blast to drive.

[andrewb70]

FWIW, I have a GTO T56 (2.97 1st) with 4.10's in my '67 and it's a blast to drive.

I didn't mean to imply that 4.10s wouldn't work. You just have to make sure that your front and rear u-joint operating angles are dialed in very well to keep driveline vibrations at bay. With a numerically higher rear gear the driveshaft speed increases, which means the operating angles should be kept below 3 degrees, or even less.

Andrew

[icemanrd19]

Thats good to know since i currently have 4.11s in my rear end and plan on using the GTO transmission. Im looking for a complete drop in. what noticeable difference would you see using a gto t56 with 4.11 as appose to a t56 mag close ratio?

[andrewb70]

Thats good to know since i currently have 4.11s in my rear end and plan on using the GTO transmission. Im looking for a complete drop in. what noticeable difference would you see using a gto t56 with 4.11 as appose to a t56 mag close ratio?

GTO gearing will get you more torque from a dead stop, bigger drop in RPM between shifts, and lower cruising RPM. Close ratio gearing gets you little less torque out of the hole, less RPM drop between shifts, and higher cruising RPM.

Andrew

[icemanrd19]

thats a very simple way to put it. Thank you

The way I'm looking at it is this. ls2 t56 setup is 6k out of a GTO. ls3 t56 mag setup from pace performance is 13k. Huge difference. Thats the difference between fixing my car within 3 months or dragging it out for another 7months

[nats68]

You can most likely use your own driveshaft. just take it to a diveshaft shop and have it shortened.
That's what I did with mine. Took a couple of days and cost under $200. Just a thought, instead of
spending a lot of money on a custom one.

[andrewb70]

thats a very simple way to put it. Thank you

The way I'm looking at it is this. ls2 t56 setup is 6k out of a GTO. ls3 t56 mag setup from pace performance is 13k. Huge difference. Thats the difference between fixing my car within 3 months or dragging it out for another 7months

A T56 Magnum is $3000. What else comes in the "kit" that adds up to another $10K??!!!

Andrew

[icemanrd19]

ls3 & t56 magnum kit.
http://paceperformance.com/i-1590874...m-t-combo.html

[andrewb70]

ls3 & t56 magnum kit.
http://paceperformance.com/i-1590874...m-t-combo.html

That's not a terrible deal actually. For $12250 you get the engine, controller, clutch kit, bell and trans...

A GTO drop out is less of course, but it's not exactly the same thing...

LS3>LS2
T56 Magnum>GTO T56
GMPP harness>modding GTO harness

Andrew

[icemanrd19]

I agree its a pretty good deal. Still need accessories but overall a good deal. for about 14k you are up and running

That's not a terrible deal actually. For $12250 you get the engine, controller, clutch kit, bell and trans...

A GTO drop out is less of course, but it's not exactly the same thing...

LS3>LS2
T56 Magnum>GTO T56
GMPP harness>modding GTO harness

Andrew

[Decline]

The pace kit is nice, can't argue that. But at twice the price, the extra dough for headers, fuel system, and incidentals is eaten up..would be awesome to have everything brand new tho.
Based on Andrews description I could probly live with the taller gearing of the GTO trans.
Altho I have pretty low gears in my rear end (3.25s) cuz I expected to run my TH350 for at least another year. My output shaft is loose and rather than sink any time and money into it I figured I'd just replace it.