guitarman

I have a 92 RS Camaro and I want a new transmission. Right now I have the automatic that comes stock and a 305 v8. I searched all over the net and found that some 92 Camaro owners had the t56 installed, a 6 speed manual transmission. I've heard that a new one costs $2100 + labor for installation, plus I was told I would need a speedo calibration box by Dakota Digital in order to have my speedometer work. Does anyone here know anything about this? I would also like a much more powerful engine installed, and I'm looking at the lt1 they started putting in z28s in 93, I've found 92 RS Camaros on the internet that have had this work done. The problem I'm running into is finding a place that will do this kind of work for me. The local chevy dealer wont touch this job with a 10 foot pole! I'm in St. Louis BTW. How much would it cost, roughly, to have a t56 (or any manual for that matter) and a new lt1 installed in my 92 RS? What type of place will do this work for me? I probably only have enough for the transmission swap right now (about 4k), would it be a bad idea to do the transmission and THEN have the lt1 installed later when my current engine fails, or would it be cheaper to have the lt1 and t56 installed at the same time (if thats even what I end up putting in my car of course, I still dont know much). And if I had the lt1 and t56, I would have about 275 horse power, right? Would I also then need new suspension and/or sub frame connectors? Anything like that? Where would I buy a clutch and shifter, and would it be a big deal to have that installed since my car is an automatic right now? But I'm ready to do the tranny swap as soon as I find out where I can have this work done. I could certainly use a lot of advice! Thanks for any help.

-Matt

Chris Ja

If I was going to do the swap I would buy a engine and trans from a crashed car. That way you would get everything. Call someone like Billy Graham's Camaro/Firebird salvage. There # is 1 205 668/1169. They should be able to hook you up with everything. You would need the ECM , Wiring harness, Slave cylinder, Master cyl and Clutch/brake pedal assembly along with the complete engine and trans. It should come with the shifter and clutch there but I would ask and make sure. You will need to install rear boxed lower control arms if you do this. When I built my IROC I had bad wheel hop if I got any traction at all. I would tie the frame so the body would have less flix. That is the first thing I do when I get a new F/body. I would think you would be able to get most of the stuff used for $4000.00. One more thing I would get a 96 or 97 LT1 with the upgraded optispark dist. they had alot less problems.
Another place you could try is Third gen resources as they would have everything. They just did a LS1 swap into a 3RD gen.
hope this helps.
One thing I forgot was you would need a set of headers for the 3rd gen. The reason is it is much easier to install them when doing the engine.

IROC5.7TPI

Call PF&E in Chesterfield, MI... They specialize in custom fabrication and Greg there has put a T56 6 speed in his 3rd gen.

The # is 586-949-3400 ask for Greg.

guitarman

I do want everything new though, I dont wanna mess with used engines and transmissions. I dont mind if it costs more, that isnt an issue. Also I live in St. Louis so havin that work done in Michigan is probably out of the question for me, but thanks for the suggestion. I still have a lot of unanswered questions.

-Matt

guitarman

What does everyone think about having a used lt1/t56 installed in my car? Is that risky? Would I be better off just getting a new lt1/t56?? No one has said anything about suspension yet? Is my car going to twist more because of this new power? If so, would would I do to stop that problem?

-Matt

guywidiroc

Let me just point out that I am finishing my T-56 swap with all new parts (reman t56), and it has come to well over 3 grand. Putting an Lt-1 in will cost a lot as well. There are much better engines for the money, so do some research.

Like a ZZ4 with a stealth ram on top.

guitarman

Yeah, I'm not completely sold on the lt1, or the t56 necessarily because I'm new to this sort of thing so I'm talking to people, getting opinions and what not... the t56 seems really popular though. You just had a t56 installed in your car, how did it go? Did you do it yourself or have the work done for you? Do you still have your original engine in the iroc?

87DJP2001

It might be more cost effective to buy a 4th gen car with a LT1 & T-56 then modding your present car. Less headaches same HP & 6-sp.