lift

I contacted a local shop for recommendations. Just wanted to know what you guys think as far as what I should pay. I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to this stuff so any advice would be appreciated. The engine was rebuilt 30,000 miles ago. It is all 100% stock. I want to get to 400+ hp at wheels. My budget isn't an issue. I can go to 12-13k. I was looking at loyd elliott le3 package. What should I pay for complete build, clutch, flywheel, rear end and tune? Or what should I pay for each.

Strick

This is a hard question to answer. I was lucky to find a guy that was selling a complete drivetrain, bell housing, transmission (6 speed T56) used clutch, hydraulic clutch parts, drive shaft and a badly rusted complete rear end for less than $1000. The rear end had disc brakes and I'll be using the parts to convert my drum brakes. The engine I'm using came from a 95 Chevy Caprice. Rebuilding it, bore and stroke and full blueprinting, is in progress. Cost, $30 a cylinder and a rotating assembly which cost around $900. You need to find a good machine shop. That's the key. You can get great info from you tube. One last thing, with the amount of money you will be spending, you could have bought a newer and faster car, but we like the shape and look of the 3rd gen Camaro, and it is my son's first car. It took me about a year to locate and buy the parts needed to do this swap, and I'm still not through. If you put a timing requirement on this project, it won't be fun; so many things to work out.

Injuneer

The ultimate clutch is the McLeod Street Twin, which comes with steel or aluminum flywheel ($1,300 -$1,600). With a strong clutch, 400+HP to the rear wheels, and sticky tires, the stock 10-bolt is not likely to survive. You can get bolt-in replacements, GM 12-bolt, Strange (Dana) 60, or Ford 9-inch for $2,500 - $3,000.

Rebuilding the T56 could run about $1,000 - $2,200.

All of this assumes you will do the installs yourself.

Typical source for drivetrain parts:

McLeod Street Twin LT1 Clutch Kit with Steel Flywheel (horsepower capacity: 1200) - Tick Performance

Six Speed Rebuilds - 1993-2002 Camaro & Trans Am - T56 Rebuild Packages - Tick Performance

A mail order tune will run you $250 - $350. A dyno tune will be $500 and up.

Don't forget your suspension, fuel pump, exhaust, sticky tires, etc.

lift

I will want a shop to do it. I honestly want the engine built to run on nos. I personally hate working on the car. I love the look of it and the potential of it. I think it will be a very fun ride when it's done. Truthfully I wanted to get another gsxr or zx10r. But the wife is terrified when I am on a bike. So the compromise was I got a sports car and I could have fun with that lol I really do love the look of the car and the feel. It's the fun factor that I want now. Like I said I want a professionally built engine, transmission and rear end specifically built to run 150-200 shot no issues. Meaning that it will last for many years. Money is not an issue with this build. I could go up to 15-18k if I wanted but I thought 13k would be a good amount to have a solid car.

Injuneer

I could send you a mods list for a 381 w/ a 300-shot of nitrous - 800HP/800Lb-Ft at the flywheel. The rotating assembly was chosen based on an ultimate goal of 1,000HP, but that upgrade was never done.

When the engine was first built, it still had a stock T56 with a McLeod Street Twin (steel), Mark Williams chrome moly driveshaft, and Strange 12-bolt with 3.73 gears. When I did the conversion to the TH400, I sold the complete McLeod/T56/hydraulics as a package for a conversion, and the T56 needed a rebuild. Stock T56 was not happy behind that kind of torque, or 5,000RPM clutch dumps.

The engine/trans was handled by a shop.... everything else I did myself.

ACE1252

Tick Performance did mine(T56) for $1400. Replaced all bearings, syncros(carbon if I recall), fork pads, and upgraded to the steel fork for 2/3 shift. Just a minor upgrade to the stock unit.

I had no gears bad in my T56.

My problem with it was intermittent grinding in 1-4 gears. Turns out the bearings were worn allowing the preload to get out of spec.

Jonathan knows his stuff and answered every question I asked....a top notch pro on these T56's. I've been very happy with the rebuild. I'm close to the their shop and they were very helpful.

lift

yeah send me over a list and reputable builder around Hagerstown Md

Strick

If you are willing to spend that kind of money, how about a Vette? You can get a C4 or C5 and boost it easily. And they handle much better. (flame suit on)