I'm about to jump head first into a 383 project for my 86 ta. It has a 700r4 now and I'm skeptical about how it will hold up to my engine. I had planned on a rebuild for my 100,000 mile tranny but everyone I talk to says that the rebuld to hold any power at all is gonna be expensive. I don' t want to loose my overdrive and a t-56 would be great. What kinda money am I looking at for the stick swap? Is it a pain in the ***? I've heard that t-5's aren't that great for holding power unless you get a built one either is this true.


Any tranny swap info would be appreciated. I've got a lot of ideas running through my head.

Thanks

 

Older T-5s are worthless. Newer ones (World Class T-5s) are slightly better but still not real strong. I wouldn't run one behind a 383. The T-56 is rated between 450 and 500 lbft of torque, and I hear of em holding up to even more, but it's a real expensive tranny. I swapped mine in for $1600 all total, but thats gettin the trans for $500 cuz it had internal problems (which I fixed myself for $20....bent shift fork). You're lookin at 2 grand for a 6-speed swap easy enough (better clutch and all)....but you can't beat 6 forward gears.

The swap from 700-R4 to T-56 isn't bad, it's a weekend project if you're mechanically inclined. It pretty much bolts right in, with the exceptions of cutting a hole for the shifter and tryin to get the clutch hydros to line up. If you're lucky the firewall will already be drilled for the hydros (mine was). You'll also have to get a converter for the speedo if yours is electronic....if it's mechanical I don't know WHAT you could do. Update the gauge cluster maybe? Anyway if you decide to go the T-56 route and have questions feel free to email me, or just post here. Quite a few of us have done this.

 

Thanks......It is not a priority as of now, but If and when the 700 goes, I am going with a t-56

What did all the money go to. I wasn't estamating that much

 

A rebuilt 700R4 should cost $1000-1200. And unless you're pushing 500 HP and TQ, it'll last for a very long time. But if you really want a T56, go for it.

 

Yeah I like the 700r4, and I don' tplan on having that much tq. But I really like standards, and I know a t-56 will handle me beating on it.

 

When I swapped in the T-56 I went all-out. Bought brand new clutch hydros ($110 pre-bled from GM) a B&M Ripper shifter ($150 new) SPEC stage 3 clutch ($500 or so I'm not sure) Centerforce conversion flywheel (T-56 to 1-piece main SBC, $200 or so) Skulte crossmember ($100 but I'd rather have a Spohn one) the tranny itself (a deal at $500 with the bellhousing) a 3-4 shift fork and new fork pads (to fix the tranny, $23 from GM) 3rd gen hydro clutch pedal assembly ($40) T-5 console plate ($40) poly trans mount (not sure, I think under $20) and half a case of Mobil One synthetic Dexron IIe ATF (GM specified for T-56, $20 or so). I also got all new bolts for flywheel, bellhousing, tranny, and crossmember just on principle.

I didn't have to deal with a speedo converter, since Autometer's electronic speedo's are self-calibrating, so I don't know how much they cost.

 

So, If I was to find a tranny for about the same price. Which I doubt I could because the junkyard around me have very little to work with. and also take all the necessary parts from the donnor car, could I do the swap for 800 bucks?

Just wondering.

Thanks

 

DO NOT put a T5 behind that motor, I blew 5 T5s, 2 were World Class with my 350. If you are going to go with a manual, go with a T56. Expect to change rear gears though for two reasons 1) you should have at least 3.42s, but better to have 3.73s with your 383 as the T56 has 2.66 first gear and 2) if its a 10 bolt, its weak and T56 with a good clutch puts LOTs of stress on it, I know, I blew a couple with my T56 in the '94. IF you build a th700 with a good 10" lockup converter, your car will still haul, you will have OD and the 700 will last. Personally, I would do that. BUT, I do like my T56 though.

 

It'll be very difficult at best to do a T-56 swap for less than a grand (you can hardly find the trans alone for that).....with that kinda budget you're much better off buildin the 700-R4. The T-56 will hold together better, and be more fun (IMHO) but it's gonna end up costing you a hell of a lot more money.

 

i bought a tranny for 1250 from a yard. The pedals were 40. Hydro slave and master cylinder; don't remember. Having a t56 in a 3rd gen--priceless.

For your application, I can't guess costs but doing it for less than 1500 would be surprising. I think your car has a mechanical speedo so converting an electric signal to that would be costly. There is a device for that but it isn't cheap. I am not even sure where I saw it.

Anyway, cutting the tranny tunnel was aggravating because I wanted mine perfectly rectangular. The pedals were aggravating because I had no holes precut and although I got the hole right where I needed it, I could see how it would be easy to make a mistake.

Anyway, it was all worth it imo. If you know where you want to go with the car, you are ahead of the game. I knew my car would always be a street car and that I wanted to bang gears, so the t56 was the choice. For strength and an overdrive. Get what you want, not because of price. You will thank yourself in the end.

 

I would do the T-56 if you've got the money. Ripping through a six speed is more fun. This link is pretty good on the install if you've got questions.

http://www.skulte.com/T56.html Good Luck.

 

He should have an electric speedo since it is an 86 Trans Am.
I'll be doing the swap as soon as my motor is finished.
This swap should be easier than the swap my friend is doing to his 95 Supra TT. He is doing a 6 speed swap really soon, his tranny is on the way right now.

 

How do I tell if it is electric or not? Would haveing the instruments out tell me anything?

 

If you've got the cluster out just look at the back of it....if theres a big fat black cable about 3/8" thick goin into it then your speedo is mechanical. If it's just a bunch of wires its electronic.

If the cluster is still in you can just look at the tailshaft of your original tranny...on the drivers side there will either be a cable connector or a wire harness connector. You can figure that one out

 

Corvette ZF 6 speed trans. Look into it. I hear it isnt as good as the t 56 but is much better than the t5