Hey Guys,
I figured you guys could probably help me with this. I am doing a T56 6spd with a RAMJET350...the problem I have is when I purchased the 6spd I thought it was out of a LT1 car not an LS1 car, so I purchased all new hardware (i.e. clutch, master cylinder, pilot bearing, flywheel) for an LT1 T56. Now I went to mount the engine and tranny together and they wouldn't go because the input shaft is too long....I was wondering what you guys would do to make this work?

I appreciate the help,
Scott

 

Hmmmmm, so far as I know the T-56 for ALL 4th gen F-Cars is the same, save for some slight gearing differences in 93. Don't quote me, but I'm pretty sure.

 

Fastbird that is a common misconception but in 98 the T56 was a Tremec version and not the borg-warner version. While it is still a good transmission it can not handle near the power that our T56 can. It is basically a weaker tranny. If your putting more than 350rwhp to the ground I'd definately want the Borg-Warner model.

 

I am aware of this, but the basic design and internals remain the same, just a different manufacturer if I remember right. I had tons of trouble with the tranny in my 99, but my 93 tranny has been holding up like a rock. They're all still T-56, Tremec just bought out the Borg Warner division for the T-56.

 

I think your a bit off...its true tremec bought out that division but from what I've read/been told they did in fact change internal parts and they weren't as strong. Thats why the 98+ 6 speeds tend to have many more problems then the 93-97 models did.

 

While this is digressing from the main topic, there is some bad info here.


Tremec bought out borg, so they are still the same tranny. Even up to the 99 model year, you can see both stamps cast on the trans. There are some large diferences, mainly that the LS1 version uses an internal slave setup. The problems with the LS1 trans are not how much power they can handle, but in damaging synchros and not accepting aftermarket clutches because of the weak hydraulic system. This was corrected in the 01-02 model year.


The LS1 T56 can handle just as much tq as the LT1 version.

 

You know this for a fact? You may very well be right, I have never read a hard article on the subject mostly just talked to mechanics and people like that...wonder if shoebox has a clue??? maybe he'll reply...

 

Seems logical to assume. 4th gen F-body T-56's are basically equal right? Well it may be true but maybe not. Some of us LT1 guys believe our version is superior and that may be the case. There must be a reason some LS1 guys complain more about their T-56s and we dont. I havent heard a single complaint from LT1 guys not even Taner with his unmodified (pretty sure it was) T-56 in the 9's until he finally broke it. Maybe he'll respond here too and tell his story. Havent seen or heard of an LS1 doing that.

Anyways its not important to the original post. The subject has been brought up a few times in the LS1 tech forum wit hguys wanting to try out the Borg Warner T-56. Like you said KIMBALL, the input shaft is too long. I think that is your only obstacle and you can just get a new one to fit. I'd suggest calling up maybe D&D since they do work with the T-56.

 

....Do you think I could replace the LS1 bellhousing with an LT1 bellhousing to make it work or would that not work?

 

You are right, plenty of people complain, but the problem is not in the power handling. The early years had weak hydraulics, which makes shifting hard with aftermarket clutches, and can tear up shift forks and synchros- not related to power handling.

 

See I heard guys with stock trannies were tearing up not only synchros but the gears...maybe they were wrong or just dind't know what they were talking about.