hey guys, im in college now and can't afford anything. i do however plan on building my IROC into a serious warrior when i get out. i am going to build up the suspension, chassis, and tranny before i build my 383. i was thinking of using my 700R4 as a lawn ornament and swapping in a T-56. with the 6 speed i can drop in about any motor regardless of horsepower and not have to worry about what converter to run or if my slushbox will hold up. is this a worth while swap? is it really hard? i can do quite a bit, but i'm no john lingenfelter. how much is a good used t-56?

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jeremy snyder

 

I'm in college too, but I got a pretty good co-op job and use all of my money on my car. Needless to say, I'll pay for school later. The swap isn't that difficult if you have all of the parts and are patient. I did mine in a weekend. The pedals are almost a direct swap. A sawzall makes quick work of the tranny tunnel. Get the lower shift boot and console plate and pedals from the junk yard. You'll have to cut a hole in the firewall to mount the hydraulics. The rest of the swap is in the Tech Section. I would suggest buying a crossmember from Spohn or Skulte if you don't want to fabricate one yourself. Your driveshaft will fit. Some things to consider are making your speedo work and whether you will need a custom flywheel or not. I've bought two T56's for under $700. You just have to be in the right place at the right time. Clutch $350, flywheel $300, clutch master cylinder $75, miscellaneous bs $100. The swap will cost between $1200-$2000 depending on how cheap you get parts. A built 700R and a Vigilante Converter will cost roughly the same. But rowing through gears and getting over 20 mpg on the highway with my combo sure is fun.

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1992 Camaro Z28; Engine:383 w/Edelbrock RPM ported heads. Lunati Solid Roller Cam 224/232 .502/.502, Fluidampr, 1.5 Roller rockers, 30 lb injectors. Haltech E6GM DFI, SLP 1 3/4" headers, 4" Mufflex, T56, 4.10. Super Ram.

Mo steel for Mo stremph!

 

hey man we are in the same boat, thats cool. you can use the stock 4th gen shifter can't you? why did you have to cut the trans tunnel, i talked to a guy who said the didn't have to cut his. can i use stock 4th gen pedals or do i need 3rd gen ones? did it make a difference in how fast the car ran(was it faster or slower). did you have to have a prom chip burnt? sorry i have so many questions but i think a 6 speed would make my car so much more fun than it is now, and fun is what it is all about. thanks for the help.

 

If you8 don't cut teh trans tunnel then you won't be able to shift!! Since you're going from a 700r4 to a manual, you'll have to cut a hole where the shifter comes through the floor. It's not hard. You just have to measure it. The 4th gen shifter is fine. I actually used the same console as the automatic by cutting out the gear selection plate and making a boot. It looks stock and does not interfere with shifting. You can use eitehr 3rd gen hydraulic pedals or 4th gen pedals. Both will fit. It will make the car much more fun to drive. How fast it is will of course depend on your gears. You'll need at least 3.23's for it to be a good setup. I actually used 2.73's at first, but it was like not having a first gear at all. You'll need to do something about the prom or you'll get an SES light for not having the trans hooked up. You'll also have to get a box to recalibrate the speedo.

Search the board and you'll find pretty much all the answers. Good luck. And yes, it is fun!

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88 firebird formula
350 Vortec TBI
214int/224exh, .471int/.491exh
Edelbrock headers
SIX-speed
open 3.73's
2 1/4 stock catback
I love pissing those LS1's off
My Formula

 

Birmass is right, you need to cut a hole for the shifter to go through. I use a PRO-5.0 shifter, but the stock one will work fine. You also will have to hook up a switch for the reverse lockout, or you can just override it with a little pressure. I have Haltech DFI so I didn't have to worry about the computer. Yours will set a code because of the lack of a VSS signal and torque converter. You could probably hook up a dummy load for the torque converter wires. You'll also need to get a speedo conversion box from Dakota Digital. DO NOT get the Cyberdyne box. They do not recommend it for GM vehicles. You shouldn't have any codes after those modifications. I used third gen pedals, but like Birmass said, fourth gen's will work. Go with at least 3.42 gears. 3.73's are good for stock type TPI's. I run 4.10 gears and still cruise at 2100 rpm at 75 mph. Your motor needs to run to around 6000 rpm's if you plan on using a 4.10 at the strip. Unless you want to shift to fifth before your run is over.

 

DUH! i don't know what i was thinking about not cuttin a hole for he shifter. thanks for the info guys, i really appreciate it.

 

I feel your pain superz! I'm in the Navy and govt. salary doesn't help me much with my speed adiction. I still have fun freakin' people out on the streets with a dirty looking '84 TA,I know better than to mess with big ***** like a 2001 WS6 or Cobra,but putting the shiny new V6s or "***** wannabees" in they're place is always neccesary .


Birmass,
theres somthing I'm not clear on with the gear ratio thing,I have 3.73s. as far as I know,that means the D-shaft turns 3.73 times for every one turn of the rear wheels?is that correct? feel free to tell me I am a complete idiot if I'm wrong.

when you said you had no 1st gear,did that mean it was too low? I'm just lost on this one.

how can the ratios with in the T-56 be changed?do you know wich parts,suppliers to go through or shops in Norfolk,VA area? I want that .45 overdrive ratio! I'd like to carefully calculate the ratios/rpms for the best acceleration/powerband consistency..if that makes any sense, and build it up accordingly. I just want to do it right.

does anyone need a 700r4?

'84 Trans Am,yes it's very ugly,but it gets the job done.

 

Sorry bout that. Yes, I physically had first gear, but it was so high with 2.73's that it was hard to take off(It was like taking off in 2cd gear in your average car). With 3.73's my second gear now is like what my first gear used to be. You get that???

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88 firebird formula
350 Vortec TBI
214int/224exh, .471int/.491exh
Edelbrock headers
SIX-speed
open 3.73's
2 1/4 stock catback
I love pissing those LS1's off
My Formula

All your base are belong to us.