I have a 91 formula w/ a 355 tuned port. I have had my car for 4 years, it is the only car i have had. It has a special place in my heart. I am torn if i should sell it or get a 4th gen or 1st or 2nd. Has anyone put a t-56 in there cars, if so what is the total cost and is it worth the down time? thanks, and sorry for the long sappy post

 

I have one, it was worth the down time because the motor was being swapped at the same time. But even though you're not swapping motors, it is still worth the down time of having a strong manual and a nicec over drive. The installation could be done in 1 day but usually it takes about 1-1/2 days. The total cost for me was about $1900. Check out the techinal articles section of this site for details of what you may be getting your self into. Its not really that hard.

 

My swap cost me a little more than derfrank's did, around $2,500. Much of it depends on the deals you get. I bought the fourth gen pedals for $35 shipped, while junk yards wanted $75 for third gen pedals. But then again, I paid a little too much for the actual tranny. All in all, it was definetly worth it imo, and makes driving much more fun. You can't beat cruising at 70mph with your tach at 2,000rpm (that's with 3.73s in the rear!)

 

My t-56 swap cost probably 1400-1500, but i had already swapped in a t-5 for the factory auto. This swap is well worth the down time, and probably could be done in a day or two assuming you have all the neccessary parts lined up. It gives great gearing with a tall set of rear gears (3.73 or 4.10); lots of low end grunt as well as decent highway cruising.

 

If your car is as clean as the picture, you would be a FOOL to sell it! About the six speed, that tranny should have came with our cars from the factory! I love my T-56. My swap didnt cost as much as some of the other guys on the board but here's what I paid for parts:

new LT-1 flywheel - $195
McCleod clutch/pressure plate/throwout bearing - $430
new GM master/slave cylinder - $120
roller pilot bearing $12
pedals - free (from friends totaled 5 speed 92 rs)
T-56 tranny with bellhousing, shifter, and all sensors - $200 (yes, I got one hell of a deal from a friend with a totaled from the side 96 LT-1 Z-28)
Skulte performance designs x-member - $150
Dakota digital speedo calibration box - $80
5 quarts of Castrol Dexron III ATF - ~ $9

Total - $1,196.00

 

Tranny (’94 Z28)….…………………………………….…$1,400
Bellhousing……………………………………………….…..included w/ tranny
Shifter…………………………………………………………...included w/ tranny
Lower console rubber boot…………….…………..included w/ tranny
Slave/master cylinder…………………………………..included w/ tranny
Tranny to bellhousing bolts…………………..…….included w/ tranny
Vehicle Speed Sensor(VSS)…..……………..…..…included w/ tranny
Transmission mount (rubber).......................included w/ tranny
Flywheel (resurfaced)……………………………..…..$25
Shifter ****………………………………………………….$10
Shifter plate w/ boot……………………………..…….$50
T56 pedal assembly(’94 Z28)……………………..$30
Pressure plate to flywheel bolts…………………included w/ tranny
Clutch/pressure plate/ throwout bearing…….$270
VSS plug……………………………………………..……..….$20
4 qts auto trans fluid (Dexron III)………………..$6
Crossmember and torque arm
w/ front ds safety loop(Spohn)…............$400
backup light connector.................................$20
Roller Pilot bearing.......................................$15
One piece rear main seal.............................$20
Recalibration Box(Dakota digital SGI-5).......$85
Bellhousing to engine bolts.........................$10
Flywheel to crank bolts(6)...........................$6


Also, since you have a 355, you will need a new starter. 305s can use their old starter. One from an LT1 or a miny starter will work. Some people get away with gringing down the bellhousing to get their 350 starter to work.

 

I've been researching this swamp for some time, and now all I need is money.

Parts Needed…………………………………………………………From Where…………… Cost
T-56(box, bellhousing, flywheel, cultch, pressure plate)…………speedautomotive.com…$1,555
Roller pilot bearing……………………………………………………Summit/Jegs……………$13.95
Rear main seal………………………………………………………..Summit/Jegs…………..$20.95
Spohn Crossmember…extra 15 w/driveshaft loop………………..Spohn ………………….$100
Fourth gen pedal assembly…………………………………………..speedautomotive.com…included
T56 master/slave cylinder assembly………………………………..speedautomotive.com…included
Vehicle speed sensor…………………………………………………speedautomotive.com…included
Custom Chip…………………………………………………………...www.fastchip.com……...$350


You will be able to use your driveshaft and torque arm. Becuase of the 2.73 rear end and the 2.66 first gear, you will want different gears in the back.

 

I am using the stock "automatic" chip in my stock ECM and I have yet a get a code with the stock motor! You dont need a custom chip to do a six speed swap, although I need a chip now to run my new motor (cam too big for ECM to handle).

 

I used the auto chip for a while, and it worked fine. I didn't experience anything different engine wise than when I had the 700r in her. I switched chips because of engine mods not because of the tranny swap. You will get a code only if you don't have your speedo hooked up or improperly hooked up. It is also worth it to get the Spohn torque arm, as it is adjustable and mounts to the crossmember, not the tail shaft of the tranny. Gears are definetly worth it. However, even though the t-56 1st gear ratio is lower than the 700r4 (2.66 compared to 3.06), my car is faster in 1st gear with the t-56. I think it's a combination of less drivetrain loss through the tranny and the ability to control the clutch as opposed to the stock tc that was in the auto.

 

Well, now we all know what you think about this forum!!

Just kiddin'!!!

:sillylol: