It seems to me like the easiest way to put the T56 in is with the motor, at the same time. But a buddy of mine told me not to, because the weight of the tranny could bend the input shaft. I don't really see how that could happen, since the tranny is also bolted to the bellhousing. It would be sooo much easier to just drop the motor and tranny in together. But will I really hurt the tranny by doing it this way?

 

I very seriously doubt you would hurt it. Many people I know put the motor and the tranny in together and the transmissions were automatics, which are far heavier than any manual. I think an auto is about 50 lbs heavier than a manual. I was concidering doing the same thing myself over the winter.

BTW, how did the pedal and hydraulics go? Not too hard?

 

According to Pontiac published specifications on the 6speed manual and the automatics present in 1998-2002 Firebird Formulas and Trans-AM's the curb weight on both vehicles is the same. This is supposedly due to the automatic transmission being made of lighter weight material. I don't know if this is true but it is what Pontiac claims.

 

Hey ViciousZ, this is a pic of my 67 bonneville. I know thats wayyy older than waht you are talking about, but hey, it will illustrate the point. That is a pontiac 400, with a turbo hydramatic 400 tranny hanging off of it. Talk about a heavy mess... I had no problems what so ever. Just watch out, if you have the engine on the lift first and its level, the extra tanny weight will make it tilt down like mine did. Luckily that was what I was shooting for. Not sure if thats what you want...but thats what will happen. If you want to see more pics of that project or if you have any more questions about puttin the tranny/motor in let us know. Check out www.picturetrail.com and put in my member name 87transam for that full project. I know its not f-body related, but still interesting. Good luck.

Justin

 

He said it was a problem specific to T56s because they are pretty heavy for a manual tranny. I've always put the motor and tranny in together and not had a problem. But never on a manual before.

 

Oh ok....Well I dont know how heavy that man. tranny is, but I can tell you that that TH400 is a beast. Ive never heard of anyone ever hurting the tranny or input shaft from installing that way... If they did hurt something, it was cuz they didnt have it together right. I dont see why it would hurt anything because most of the weight would be on the bell housing I would think. Anyway, I was just giving my .02. Good luck with it.
Justin