I was talking to a guy at a local cruise night and he mentioned that he had a T-56 With a SPEC stage 3 clutch in his 91 IROC and that he wanted to sell it. He said he would install it if I was going to buy it but he wants $1500 for it. I think its a worthy investment for my car instead of buying Dart heads. I know my th700r-4 tranny wont hold the power I want (500+ at the wheels) but will the t-56 and clutch?

 

that's a great deal if it includes labor and all the odds and ends like a crossmember, speedo conversion box, center console plate, re-wiring everything to work (reverse lights, etc). Ask to drive his car to see if all the gears shift smoothly and make sure you like it before you buy it. That clutch is pretty heavy duty for daily driving.

 

Well I know the tranny is in great shape and everything, I've seen his car before plus he babies the car mostly. He said he would install it and everything for free if I bought it so it seems like a good deal to me. It's already in his 3rd gen so I figured it wouldnt need much to hook it up in mine.

 

It doesn't need much, but if you don't know what you're doing then it needs alot of research to find out what exactly you need, and there is quite a bit of labor involved, especially with the wiring. I'm in the middle of my swap now...

 

Well I'm not sure how the wiring will go because my car is carbed and I have like 10 wires under my hood. He installed it in his car so I'm assuming he can do it to mine too.

 

that's what I'm talking about. If you don't know how to do the wiring and he is willing to hook up your speedo, reverse lights, reverse lockout, cruise control disengage, install pedals, etc etc etc then it's absolutely worth it. He may just install it mechanically and your speedo won't work, your revese lights won't work, etc. Even if he doesn't it's a good deal, but I'd try to get him to do those as well.

 

What year is your engine? If it is a two-piece rear seal block you will need a special flywheel.

 

I think he will hook it up completely with all the wires. My engine is a 2 piece rear main seal, what kinda special flywheel do I need? What if I dont get one?

 

The flywheels do not interchange. They have a different bolt circle where they bolt to the crank. The part number has been posted several times. I do not know the number, but it was like $300. If you don't get one you can't use the T56.

 

Why would you need a special flywheel to use the T56? Any flywheel that works for a T5 should work - and any '85 and earlier T5 used a flywheel for a 2-peice rear seal. The 3rd and 4thgen (LT1) used the 153-tooth flywheel.

The only thing that may be different would be the clutch disc - I can't remember if the T56 uses a 26 spline input shaft like the T5 does. I think it does, but I'm not totally sure.

 

The T56 uses a bigger clutch that will not fit the smaller flywheel.

 

I just found the part number. It's 700107 from centerforce. Are they the only ones that make one for a 2 piece RMS? It's $365 so if I can get it cheaper or something I would.

 

I remember reading about another one, but it was expensive also.

 

The other one I found is a Fidanza flywheel and it cost $430. So there is no way around this? What if I used a t-5 clutch and flywheel will that work? I think I read it somewhere. P.S. my car is going from an auto to T-56 if that matters at all.

 

The T5 clutch uses a throwout bearing that pushes on the pressure plate. The T56 throwout bearing pulls on the pressure plate. They will not interchange. You need to use the clutch for a T56. Don't forget the pilot bearing either.

 

a friend who works at an auto shop said that flywheels and flexplates for 1-piece RMS sometimes work for 2-piece RMS motors. I'm in the middle of my swap, so I'll let you know when I have my motor together.

 

Good luck with that.

 

ya I know it sounds dumb... but if I don't have to shell out $370 esp when I already have one balanced, I'm not gonna.

 

If you could see them side by side you would understand the difference.

 

I'm just going to have to buy the centerforce one. Good thing I researched this before I made a commitment. My motor is a 383 stroker but I'm not sure if its internally or externally balanced. Could this cause a problem?

 

383 stroker should have a 400 crank, which needs to be externally balanced I believe. I think you can get the flywheel neutral balanced to solve the problem. check with someone else first to be sure.

 

I'm just curious in who whis was? I'm from Worcester too so just being nosey on all the other third hens in the area

 

It was my friend Chris. He mainly drives his 99 Camaro thats deep into the 12's. Not too many nice thirdgens around but there are some.