[71 Camino SS]

I am looking at doing a 6spd conversion but i dont know which one. Curently the car is making 600hp at the crank but getting ready to move up to the 700-750hp range. Any help on which one would hold this kinda power would be great. Thanks for the help.

 

[MarkM]

T56 magnum. Floor mods needed.

 

[71 Camino SS]

How in depth are the floor mods?

 

[b25]

Someone here was able to fit a T56 in the factory tunnel of their El Camino using a BFH and cutting an unused ear off the transmission. I'm not sure if they achieved the correct pinion angle or not, but you could try it before you cut.

I dove right in and cut the tunnel out on my '66 Chevelle. Expect to roll/fab a piece of sheet metal for the new hump and weld in place. Check out the link in my signature for some pics of this project. It's really pretty easy.

-b

 

[cheveslakr]

Not possible to gain the correct pinion angle without a little snip snip. A little vibration at highway speed is inevitable without surgery.

Jerry

 

[alss]

I used a Richmond 6..still need floor mods but not as extensive I feel..just some clearance around the shift rods and relocating the shift boot.not a big deal becasue I started with a auto car with no holes in the floor

 

[Scotch]

I went T56 (from www.rsgear.com) and cut the tunnel out.

No regrets- works great. Got it working with stuff from www.t56kit.com, including the crossmember, hydraulic clutch adaptor, etc. I run all stock LT1 T56 parts, like the bellhousing and all the hydraulic clutch components. The Gen1 to LT1 flywheel came from Centerforce. Works great!

 

[John R]

I have a T-56 and if I end up keeping the car, will put it in...I was planning on cutting my hump up close to the firewall, attaching (welding) and extension, per say and having some sort of removable fasteners (pem nuts/flush threaded inserts would be cool on the floorboard), so that I could remove the whole hump for easier clearance to the engine/trans upper bolts, etc.

Remember (with T-56) you will need an electronic speedo or adapter and iirc, you can modify a TH350 trans mount.

I ended up buying a Weir Hot Rod Products' bellhousing/throwout bearing kit to adapt to my SBC (think it works on most any chevy bh, incl BBC) and to use a cable and so on, so it eliminated some headaches...I got my T56 from an LT1 F-body, and I believe you can use one from an LS1, but it's different. I believe they are capable of easily handling 450-500 hp by itself, but not sure about your level...may look into upgrading the T56 (like what was used in a Viper, Z06, GTO, etc.).

 

[71 Camino SS]

Do u know if i can still use my factory center consel? If i cant im not going to do it.

 

[John R]

I'm not really sure. It's been a few years since I've researched this and IIRC, some people did use the factory console, but I want to say they had to modify the stick location (as in have a 'bent' adapter to bring the shifter forward), since the T-56 is rather long and its stick is placed toward the back. I'd look around at some older posts (drivetrain section?) and/or post a question there, too.

 

[93Polo]

I'm not really sure. It's been a few years since I've researched this and IIRC, some people did use the factory console, but I want to say they had to modify the stick location (as in have a 'bent' adapter to bring the shifter forward), since the T-56 is rather long and its stick is placed toward the back. I'd look around at some older posts (drivetrain section?) and/or post a question there, too.

IIRC the LS1/LT1 T56 is about 3" back requiring moving the console. The Viper Trans was closer to the stock location. The T56 magnum is also further forward with an option on shifter locations. Didn't Scotty use a Viper T56 behind his tt ls1 with a console?

You may want to contact Kiesler on the T56 magnum, if you're pushing 700hp I'd go with that trans especially with wanting to keep the console. By the time you build a LS1/Lt1 T56 you're almost at a T56 magnum anyway.

 

[cv67]

Someone here was able to fit a T56 in the factory tunnel of their El Camino using a BFH and cutting an unused ear off the transmission. I'm not sure if they achieved the correct pinion angle or not, but you could try it before you cut.

I dove right in and cut the tunnel out on my '66 Chevelle. Expect to roll/fab a piece of sheet metal for the new hump and weld in place. Check out the link in my signature for some pics of this project. It's really pretty easy.

-b

That was me, pinion was 2-3 deg. if I remember right.

For that power level the op is talking about get the magnum.

Awesome conversion, youll love it.

u know if i can still use my factory center consel? If i cant im not going

Ditto on calling Keisler for a shifter to use your console. Ive seen it done cant recall the detials thouhg. THey can have diff. shifter locations.

 

[KeislerJeff]

We can supply a kit allowing you to keep your console, mechanical linkage and 4 speed bellhousing. You will NOT need a speedometer adapter, the T56 Magnum has provisions to drive a speedo cable.

Tunnel mods will be required.

You have the choice of these 2 ratio sets:

2.66 1.78 1.30 1.00 .80 .63
2.97 2.10 1.46 1.00 .74 .50

The .50 as you can expect requires ALOT of gear in the rear end to be useful. The T56 Magnum is also rated at 700 lb. ft. right out of the box.

 

[Aceshigh]

44The .50 as you can expect requires ALOT of gear in the rear end to be useful. The T56 Magnum is also rated at 700 lb. ft. right out of the box.

I want to do this conversion sooooo bad in my 1970 442 clone. Mostly for family summertime cruising.
I'm currently looking at rear ends to put in , and I can basically go with a 3.55 on up.

With a 3.55 and 27" you're spinning 1500 rpm's at 67mph.
http://www.angelfire.com/fl/procrastination/rear.html
But the benefit of the .50 final gear is going REALLY deep in the gearing to make it real fun gettin out of the hole.
I'm lookin at 3.73 to 4.11's for a street cruiser.

With 4.11's you can do about 60mph in 6th gear @ 1500rpm. To compare....
With 4.11's behind a TH400 or 350 you're about 3,000rpms

I didn't see any complete kits for the T56 Magnum on my application tho on your site.

 

[gilcreest]

im thinking about doing this conversion to my 69 beaumont but the only thing holding me back is the tunnel mod. i just don't want to cut up the floor. im starting to look into 5 speed (tko600) kits n found 1 from american powertrain for $4579.01. its a bit $ but its a full bolt in kit. bell housing, pedals, driveshaft, clutch, tko600 ect.... with all the parts to make the t56 work u might end up spending close to $4500. i think it all depends on how much u pay for the t56. but if u do use the t56 id go with 4:11 out back. i have them in my 94 camaro with stock 16" wheels and love them way more than the 3:73s i took out. good luck.

 

[IDesigner]

This is a great conversation thanks for posting about this,

I have been looking around with the hope to do a Manuel trans conversion myself. I am just not sure what the best plan is?

I am running a BBC that makes about 600-675 horsepower. I currently have a 400 behind it which is a great trans. But it is just not as much fun to drive. I want to cruise it on the highway and bang through the gears. Which is just going to make the car more drivable. Questions are...

Which trans do i run a 5 or 6 speed? Do i want a 6 speed? are there advantages of either of them?What is the best bang for your buck. I have a perfect trans in the car. why do i want to spend 5 grand to change it? is the change worth the 5 grand? I could see 2 G's maybe 3?

how much did it cost you guys?

 

[1971ss454Elco]

Mine came with a 97 T56 behind a 502 and 331 gears>>>>>FAST!!!!!

MAJOR tunnel mods to do it right. I converted mine back to a TH400. Had to replace the floors as the prev. owner "butchered" what was left of the tunnel to make the T56 fit.

 

[KeislerJeff]

found 1 from american powertrain for $4579.01

Call me, I`ll save you alot of money. :yes:

 

[js1178]

i ordered my trans. from keisler and did not have to do any major tunnel mods. all i had to do was cut a larger hole for the shifter:thumbsup:. now all i have to do is fix the butcher job the last guy did.

 

[cv67]

Cost

Trans $1000
Flwheel./clutch kit $1000
Slave $125
Labor to mod crossmember/driveshaft/yoke $250
B&M Ripper shifter $175??

Did this yrs ago so things have gotten cheaper since then. THere were no bolt in slave brackets so I spent a TON with a shop to fab one that worked right, went through 4 slaves before we got it right. I didnt figure that labor in...
You can buy the bracket now for well under $100.

Yes, its worth every penny!!! I think most only need a 5 sped thouhg I just didnt like the low 1st gear that most had back when I did mine. Eventually Ill get the Z06 gearing set, and a lower 6th gear put in.

The hydraulic clutch pedal feel is awesome you could drive it in stop and go all day.