Project SicMonte

[SSLance]

Heck, you know what you have there, and are halfway into it already. I'd just build that one the way you want it assuming the seller understand what you have found and adjusts his price accordingly. Trans itself is worth what, about $500 in that condition? Maybe less?



The majority of that trans won't work with an LS block if you ever go that route anyway, right? So I wouldn't spend big money to get a permanent fix for a trans if you think you'll be upgrading to an LS down the road.

[Yelcamino]

...for about another $1000 I can get a T56 Magnum kit from American Powertrain which is pretty much a bolt in swap kit.

Come on Doug, you know you answered your own question.
Bite the bullet, buy the Magnum kit and be DONE with it. Now get out there and enjoy your car!

[SicMonte]

The American Powertrain complete kit is in the $5000 ballpark....that's ALOT of money for me.

I did just talk to the trans guy who has my broken 200r4. He was able to salvage some stuff off of some other units he has at the shop and is puting my 200r4 back together while we wait for the manufacturer of the broken parts to get back to us...which isnt looking good.

I just want to drive this damn thing again.

[Yelcamino]

I feel your pain Doug, that's a lot of money for most of us regular guys. Look on the bright side, it only hurts the first time.

[woodside783]

Wow wish this could of made it to music city run.

[bonecrrusher]

5 grand for a manual trans?

Just rebuild the SBC T56 trans - get the car on the road.

Save up the big bucks for down the road - enjoy the car while you can before this summer gives way to fall/winter!

Plus way cooler doing this:

[SicMonte]

5 grand for a manual trans?

Just rebuild the SBC T56 trans - get the car on the road.

Save up the big bucks for down the road - enjoy the car while you can before this summer gives way to fall/winter!

Plus way cooler doing this:

The rebuild on the LT1 T56, along with all the parts needed to make it work, is about $4200. So it's not much difference.

[Norm Peterson]

The American Powertrain complete kit is in the $5000 ballpark....that's ALOT of money for me.

The rebuild on the LT1 T56, along with all the parts needed to make it work, is about $4200. So it's not much difference.

I didn't think it'd run quite that high. I was only seeing ~$2900 for the transmissions.



Norm

[SSLance]

Cripes, I only paid $1500 for my T56 and thought that was kind of high compared to others I had seen. I jumped on it because it was a LT1 version and came with everything...and wasn't too far away from home.

[rchaskin]

The rebuild on the LT1 T56, along with all the parts needed to make it work, is about $4200. So it's not much difference.

The LT1 stuff is high.

I have 1600 between the motor and trans.
Fylwheel - 460, Scattershield - 445, Clutch - 715

I have 2600 in my trans (Keep in mind, The Magnum was not available when i did this swap)
800 to buy it, then had it built for 1600 - Hurst shifter 200

I have in 1208 incidentals
Speedtech mount kit - 655, LT1 Hydraulics 153, driveshaft 400

That is 5408.
Holy Crap, Where is the Tylenol.....

This is a costly game to play!!

[SicMonte]

Ok......I didn't want to throw prices out there but I want all of your opinions so here it is.

The Magnum Trans itself is $2850. The complete kit from American Powertrain was quoted at $5350 and that includes everything from them to bolt it in and drive away...everything.

The pic below is a simple list I came up with for the rebuild LT1 T56 I currently have all apart.

**Don't forget that it cost me $130 in beer to have it torn down and inspected by a reputable trans guy...and it will be another $130 in beer to have it put back together if I decide not to get it. The tear down was worth the $130 b/c I learned alot about these trans's during the tear down.**

[SicMonte]

well crap....I just got off the phone with Linda over at Hanlon Motorsports...and they seem to be able to beat my guy's prices...but they are three hours away.

AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH......


All I want to do is get out and

[silvermonte]

For my g-body cutlass I paid $1200 for a lt1 t56 with 40k miles. I ended up selling it when i talked to the tremec guys about what it would cost to build one to hold 500-600hp,plus what i needed for parts to run on an older 2 piece oil pan block. They told me that if I planned on running an LS down the road that for the money I would be better off waiting on the t56 till i have the LS motor in as its pretty pricey to swap a standard SBC t56 to a LS t56. Now if you know its going to be years before you make the LS jump then i say go for the SBC t56 you have an enjoy the hell out of it.

[SicMonte]

I have a one price rear main so it will bolt right up.

I'm staying sbc...for a long time.

[silvermonte]

If you can get that tranny rebuilt to hold the power you plan on making and save $700-$1000 Id say go for it, but if you see yourself down the road throwing on a turbo on or something of the sort I would swing that massive bag of dollars that it cost to buy a magnum and go that route.With the American kit being a bolt in thats a nice plus, but you have the skills and knowledge to get the parts you need to save a few $$$, just depends how much hassle you feel like dealing with. With the sbc to ls swap it had something to do with the shaft that the clutch sits on being a 1/4" too short or something of that nature as to why the swap cost alot because it involves a tear down to replace a few parts, but you wont have to worry about that.

[SSLance]

Doug, does the seller of the T56 you took apart still want $1200 for it even after seeing the damage done inside it?

[SicMonte]

Doug, does the seller of the T56 you took apart still want $1200 for it even after seeing the damage done inside it?

I talked to him and we came up with a deal...

So I am glad to say this.......


The rebuilt LT1 T56 is a GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!

[craigs73]

I talked to him and we came up with a deal...

So I am glad to say this.......


The rebuilt LT1 T56 is a GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!

must have been a persuading deal lol........

[bonecrrusher]

Eric - who is on here with his 80 Z28 swapped his trans over for like $1200 total - I just think hes did not need a rebuild.

[SicMonte]

Wow...its been a while so here is an update!!

Got the automatic rebuilt, under warrenty, so I can just sell the whole set up as a kit. The company who manufactured the faulty front drum/input shaft didn't stand by their product so I will flame them later...big time.

My LT1 T56 is all rebuilt and just sittin pretty!! I am currently compiling parts for the swap.

I'll put up some pics soon....