[badtomatoes]

I'm finally back to working on my car again. I am installing an LQ4 and T56 in my 66. I haven't been able to find anyone who has done this on a 66. I've looked both here and on ls1tech but all I seem to find are 68-72 cars and/or the 66-67 cars were done with automatic transmissions. I have a fairly confident plan for installing the engine but I'm left with some questions about the T56 before I start...

Does anyone know where the shifter is going to end up? Is it possible to use a factory 4 speed console with the T56?

How much (or little!) cutting needs to be done to the floor?

What do I need for a transmission mount?

I've requested Keisler to call or email me but no response from them yet...


Thanks for reading. Pics soon to follow.

 

[pist0lpete]

Wish I could give more direct insight but my car is a 700r4 not a T56(yet). If my memory serves me correctly the shifter should come up slightly further back than stock but a console could be used if you would to move it a hair. Ls1tech.com may have some better examples of this. As far as transmission mounts/crossmembers go I think you are on the right track calling Keisler. Which pan you decide to use will affect all of this as well. The further forward you can move the engine the better shot you will have at getting the tranny where you want it. Hope that vague info helps the best advice is to check out ls1tech.

 

[badtomatoes]

Thanks for the response Neal.

I spoke with Jeff over at Keisler sales/tech yesterday. According to him, their parts will be little to no help. Keisler only deals in aftermarket T56 transmissions, not the factory versions, as the two are different.

 

[RYU]

I wish I could help also. I'm still on the 4L60E. I have some guesses on answers to your questions but i'm sure you're guesses are as good (if not better) than mine. No real life experience to help. Please keep us informed for you might be the pioneer here for us 66/67 guys

I'm wanting to do the swap as a 2011 project.

 

[Mondo454]

So Cal Speed Shop did one in 2007.
Some pics here to give you an idea of shifter location:

http://image.hotrod.com/f/9306108+w...66_chevrolet_chevelle_LS7_engine+interior.jpg



http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_0705_so_cal_1966_chevrolet_chevelle_ls7/index.html

 

[TT402LS1]

Thanks for the response Neal.

I spoke with Jeff over at Keisler sales/tech yesterday. According to him, their parts will be little to no help. Keisler only deals in aftermarket T56 transmissions, not the factory versions, as the two are different.

They are probally using the "Viper" type trans. The shifter location is about 3-4" forward than the T-56 out of a Camaro/Firebird. That places the shift closer to the factory location. I havent fitted mine yet, but I know McLeod makes shifters that will move the location to where you need it. McLeod also makes a kit to adapt a Viper trans to the LS1. The Viper trans input shaft is 1/2" longer, so a spacer is need.

Ron

 

[BobB66SS]

Detroit Speed swapped in a Viper-version T56 into my '66 a few years ago that I picked up from D&D Performance. If I remember right, the factory console had to be moved forward about 2" and they modified the shifter connection point to fit the factory shifter and console for the subtle look I was after. The bigger issue is that the floorpan around the trans has to be reformed since the T56 is so large.
Here's a couple shots a photographer took, not a lot of help:

 

[Bad66Chevelle454]

I have a 66, and have a T-56. However mine is behind a BBC, so it might be a little different set-up. The shifter is back a few inches and centered, not offset like a stock shifter. I ended up cutting the transmission hump out and raising it up about 2" to clear the transmission. It's a big, heavy ass transmission compared to the T-10 that was in there. Mine was out of a LS1, which means the input shaft is about a half inch too long. I had to buy a spacer from McLeod. Mine also has the internal slave cylinder, and I used the stock GM clutch master cylinder. The part numbers for all this stuff is on my webpage. Feel free to ask any questions.

Oh on a side note, if you click my build thread, there is a few pictures of the floor cut out with the transmission installed.

 

[BobB66SS]

Detroit Speed swapped in a Viper-version T56 into my '66 a few years ago that I picked up from D&D Performance. If I remember right, the factory console had to be moved forward about 2" and they modified the shifter connection point to fit the factory shifter and console for the subtle look I was after. The bigger issue is that the floorpan around the trans has to be reformed since the T56 is so large.
Here's a couple shots a photographer took, not a lot of help:

Should have clarified: BBC in mine too.

 

[TT402LS1]

Detroit Speed swapped in a Viper-version T56 into my '66 a few years ago that I picked up from D&D Performance. If I remember right, the factory console had to be moved forward about 2" and they modified the shifter connection point to fit the factory shifter and console for the subtle look I was after. The bigger issue is that the floorpan around the trans has to be reformed since the T56 is so large.
Here's a couple shots a photographer took, not a lot of help:

Very nice! What kind of shift is that? And where did they get the shift pattern plate? I love the stock look.

 

[badtomatoes]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

BobB66SS, your car is beautiful. I really like the look of the interior.

What kind of seats are those?

 

[KeislerJeff]

They are probally using the "Viper" type trans.

Nope, T56 Magnum TUET11009, aftermarket version of the OEM TR6060.

 

[GenPac]

Detroit Speed swapped in a Viper-version T56 into my '66 a few years ago that I picked up from D&D Performance. If I remember right, the factory console had to be moved forward about 2" and they modified the shifter connection point to fit the factory shifter and console for the subtle look I was after. The bigger issue is that the floorpan around the trans has to be reformed since the T56 is so large.
Here's a couple shots a photographer took, not a lot of help:

Love those flo-fit seats... if you see this, mind letting us know how much they run?

 

[BobB66SS]

Very nice! What kind of shift is that? And where did they get the shift pattern plate? I love the stock look.

The shifter is the stock one, modified by Detroit Speed at the attachment point to the trans so it would fit both the T56 and the console opening.

The shift pattern plate I made myself, starting with the stock 4-speed one. I'm embarrassed to tell you how many hours I have in that, but then I need something car-related to do over the winter, right? :yes:

Thanks for the replies everyone.

BobB66SS, your car is beautiful. I really like the look of the interior.

What kind of seats are those?

Thanks. They started as un-upholstered Flofit's then I had an interior guy work his magic on. I was after the sleeper look so I had him use stock-looking stitch patterns, the stock seatback emblems, and he hand-fabbed the sheet metal seat backs and added the chrome edging.

 

[BobB66SS]

Love those flo-fit seats... if you see this, mind letting us know how much they run?

The seats are the relatively inexpensive part. You can get them right out of the NPD catalog if you want. I ordered mine un-upholstered since I was going to have them custom done anyway. Where the project got $$$ is all of the customization I had done to them -- eliminated the headrest adjustment knob, reshaped the headrest foam to reduce the 'bat wing' look, reshaped the seatback foam to eliminate the horizontal dividers, suede upper and lower inserts, black vinyl on the bolsters, seat cushion surrounds, and headrests, custom stitch pattern, inserting the stock seatback emblems, and hand-forming the metal seatbacks and installing the chrome edge banding to mimic the stock look. I also had him recover the rear seat to match the fronts. They're WAAY more comfortable and supportive than the stockers (even my wife says so). As far as total cost goes, I got a nice number for the stock ones I sold so that helps the cost offset but my wife would still kill me if she knew the total number. :secret: