I have an 82' Z28...I am about finished with my motor. Its a mildly built 350 4 bolt main from a 78 FS Chevy Truck.My trans is a built th350. What all EXTRA would I need/Have to do to install a t-56 or a later t-5 in my car. I know the T-5 isnt soo great but I am about broke after the motor. I have read 2 different t-56 install guides online...One from this site and one from Poorformance. What all Extra will I need compared to a swap in a later car?

 

The only differences you should run into are the need for a shorter driveshaft and torque arm, and I'm not 100% sure you'll need those.

Research the swap for an automatic with early-model engine and a mechanical speedo and the info should all be the same. If the shaft and torque arm are too long you can get stock ones out of a later model 3rd gen for next to nothing.

 

I have an 85 Parts car I can get the torque arm and drive shaft out of for free...I am kinda wondering about flywheel, starter, crossmember. I knew the speedo too. Anything else people can think of...What about a t-5 swap? Same story?

 

Spohn makes a crossmember, the flywheel will need to be Centerforce part #700107, and your best bet will probably be a mini starter because I don't think the LT1 starter will bolt up to the early-model block. I'm not sure about that one though.....

A T-5 swap will be cheaper because you can use all-stock parts out of a donor car, but the labor involved will be almost exactly the same (with the exception of making the speedo work.) The T-5 isn't anywhere NEAR as tough as a T-56 though.