Ok, I have a 1985 Z28. Carbed 305 with a T-5. I picked it up for $650, planning a stroker 383 swap for it. Im on an EXTREME budget for this build. The plan was engine now, tranny a little latter on down the road, but now my machinist has asked for the Fly Wheel and Pressure plate so he could balance them for me. The problem is that the T-5 in the Z is already worn out, so even if I did want to tear apart the car and pull out the fly wheel and pressure plate that are in the car, it wouldn't do any good because I wont be sticking with them once I do my tranny swap. (I assume a T-5 flywheel and pressure plate are NOT going to bolt right up to a T-56)

So, finally, I get to my question. The T-56 came in 93-02 V8 cars, and 97-02 V6 cars, correct? Do I pull these parts out of any car and expect it to bolt up to any T-56 I obtain later as well as to my stroker?

This is my first build. Im a little bit of a newb still, so these are probably stupid questions.

Also, when it comes time to pull the tranny out of a junk yard car, what do I need to target? Is an LS1 T-56 any different than an LT1 T-56? Will I have any trouble making it bolt to my engine?

Would I be better off taking the t-5, rebuilding it, and using quality parts? The total Horse power of the engine probably wont exceed 400, and torque will be about 450...

I have the help of my father, who is an experienced diesel mechanic when it comes time to actually put the engine and tranny in, but as far as finding parts and figuring out which parts bolt to what, Im on my own. Ill be honest, I am starting to feel a little bit overwhelmed.

 

Unless your machinist is installing an externally balanced 383 crank, he won't need to balance the pressure plate/flywheel. Most of the newer stroker cranks are internal balance. You need to ask him which style crank he's using. The LS1 style T56 won't work in a thirdgen, and the V6 cars got the T5. The trans you need to do your swap successfully is the 93-97 LT1 T56. The 94 and newer T56's have a 2.66 ratio first gear, the 93's have a 2.97 first gear. Unless you're running 3.73's or lower rearend gears, you'll probably be happier with a 93 T56. Is your motor a 1 piece or 2 piece rear main seal? If it's a 1 pc. and internally balanced, you can use the stock 93-97 flywheel. If it's a 2 pc. or externally balanced, you'll have to buy a specialty flywheel that's fairly expensive. Btw, a T5 probably wouldn't live long at all behind 400HP and 450 ft. lbs. of torque. If you can afford one, a Tremec TKO 5 speed is a stout trans that will work with the stock T5 bellhousing, clutch, and flywheel.

 

T56 and extreme budget do not belong in the same sentence. Its not going to work. Plan on spending at least $1500 and realistically it'll be about $2500.