Ehco1

There is a lot of conflicting information about swapping a LS-1, T-56 to a C-3. I found this and was courious if this is accurate.

If you’re starting from scratch and already have a 3 or 4 speed manual transmission in the car, the easiest and cleanest way to swap a T56 into a first generation Camaro behind a traditional BBC/SBC is as follows: You will need an LS1 T56, the McLeod adapter kit (1/2” thick adapter plate that goes between the transmission and the bellhousing, extended pilot bushing, and “collar” on which the throwout bearing rides – McLeod Part No. 8207 available, for example, at http://store.summitracing.com/partde...700+400374+429 4812239+4294856873+115&autoview=sku), a transmission cross member (I like the ATS adjustable crossmember available at http://www.t56kit.com/main.html), a shortened balanced driveshaft (which you can have made up locally), and an electronic speedometer or an electronic to mechanical converter such as Cable X (available at http://www.gaugeguys.com/cablex.htm, among others).

Using these parts you reuse your current bellhousing, clutch setup (swapping in a 26
spline disk if required), throwout fork, throwout bearing and mechanical clutch linkage. I also prefer an all heim joint linkage such as the one available from http://www.speeddirect.com/index.aspx?nodeID=34.

With any of the mounting methods used you’ll need to cut a new hole in the transmission tunnel for the shifter handle and you’ll need a shift boot sealing the floor of the car to the outside air. The LS1 T56 and LT1 T56’s move the shifter back the most, the Viper T56 less and the Aftermarket T56 the least. However, all of them require a new hole for the shift lever at least 4” or so back from the factory location. (The shifter location itself, however, is fine with any of them.) If you have a console, it will have to be moved back, or you’ll have to try something like the McLeod “Slik Stix” shifter, and you’ll need to come up with a shifter to console boot of some kind.

Finally, you’ll need to either replace your factory speedometer with an electronic speedometer (more involved than it sounds because you lose things like turn signal indicators, etc. when the speedometer is removed – probably best done if you’re planning on going to replacement instruments), or an electronic to mechanical adapter like the Cable X.

Thanks

72LS1Vette

There have been some fairly recent threads discussing T56 swaps. If you do an advanced search you will probably find them.



Rick B.

cv67

Used an LT1 T56, no adapter plate or extended pilot bushing needed.
Youll love it.

Ehco1

I already have the LS-1 T-56. I got it for a song about $500.00 so I need to use it.