Hey guys ive had my 89 GTA since i was a kid and im very mechanically knowledgable. However ive got extra cash around and its time to make this car look and ride BETTER than new. but the option i long for the 6 speed was NEVER available as all of you know. What is needed for a 6 speed install ? for example. special bellhousing ? t-56 ok ? or will i have to go with a 5 speed t-5 ? will the t-5 handle 400hp ? im not getting crazy i drive the car alot on weekends...and 400-450 horse is good. can i get a doner 305 5 speed and use the petals cables slave cylinder, ect ??? thanks for a response it'll be helpfull in my search.

sidenote i took some measurments and ill be custom fabbing a TRUE dual exhaust (some underbody modding needed as you all know) but again its an option it never had. basically i want to make this car into everything i wish pontiac had dont with it fromt he start. no i dont want a newer model i cant part with this one, not even my wife can get me to sell it NEVER !!!!!!!!!!

 

you can do either one. with that kind of power id lean towards the lt1 t56 though. but youre gonna be paying about double. as for the donor car thing..most people on here sell the manual trannys as an entire swap. good luck man.

 

thanks i really wanted the t-56 over the t-5. I have the availability to get the t-56 right away. Will i need to get my hands on a special bellhousing that will allow the t-56 to bolt up to the L-98 block ? i already have the firebird manual shifter insert vs the auto insert thats in the console now. How will the t-56 line up with the console ? will i need to install spacers to move the tranny back ? anyone whos done this swap you info is very much appreciated and i hope i can repay it someday. thanks again !!

oh one more thing as far as the tranny fitting in the cars tranny tunnel. will there be any modification to the tranny tunnel to get her to fit ?

im also assuming the tranny mount, crossmember, and driveshaft will be from the ls1 car ? is there a sticky on the conversion i'd hate to have people repeat themselves thanks guys !

 

I'd try a first. Tons of people on here have done T56 swaps. Its not complicated at all.

 

one thing i do know is to make sure you get an lt1 t56, not an ls1 t56. just a heads up from another thread.

 

The T5 can be built to handle up to 500 lbs/ft and 600 HP. A stock T56 handles 450 lbs/ft. Either is a viable candidate. The T5 is probably a bit cheaper than the T56 swap, but owning one myself I must say that the T56 is a great trans.

Do a search and gather as much info as you can. If you've got any specific questions send me a PM.

 

thanks i searched and found a wealth of info. Only one question left i wasnt too clear on. will the 94 lt1 bellhousing bolt up to the L-98 or will i need a special bellhousing ? i saw i needed the t-56 bellhousing obviously but it never specified which bellhousing i needed.....

 

The reason you need a T56 bellhousing is that it is specific to the T56. It's very short, and the T56 uses a dedicated trans bolt pattern. The LT1 and traditional small blocks all share the same bellhousing pattern.

 

look on www.skulte.com for some good info on a 6-speed swap.....I was just reading it over today and sounds resonable enough......