My dad has just purchased a 1938 Dodge pickup truck. The good news is that the previous owner swapped in a Buick 455 Stage 1 from a 1970 GS which was capable of 510 ft/lbs from the factory and this motor was just rebuilt to stock specs. Unforunatly, the Borg-Warner 4 speed currently in the truck is on it's way out. Now since the motor gets terrible mileage, my dad wants something with an overdrive, so I told him about the T56. He likes the idea of the Viper version due to its ability to easily handle the torque of this motor. Now for the questions...

Does anyone make a bellhousing that makes this swap possible? Would the length change the location of the shifter? Would a shorter/longer driveshaft be required? What version of the T56 would be ideal for this application? If the Viper version is not available, is there another version that is up to the task. What would the relative cost be for this swap... $3,000?

Any help is appreciated,
Mike

 

i think the gn guys have swapped the t56's,the 3.8 v6 should be the same bellhousing as the 455,when i had my regal i swapped a t400 from my fathers 76 electra 455

 

Ill be the jerk here, this is third gen related how?

 

sorry looks like the richmond t56 will be alot easier and maybe cheaper

 

I just figured that since the T56 is F-Body related and people are always installing them in thirdgens that someone may have some info about this that they would be willing to share. For example, while searching for parts to swap a T56 they may have run across a site that sells different crossmembers for different kinds of vehicles.

Would an aluminum bellhousing be strong enough or could the clutch rip right through that?

 

I don't think getting the T56 to bolt up is gonna be the problem; I have even heard of guys using an adapter plate like an auto trans application and then a flywheel spacer with longer bolts to get the geometry right.

Your problem is actually the flywheel. The T56 uses a weird clutch setup, if I recall, and you have to have a special flywheel that can accomodate the clutch and pressure plate setup.

You should call TA performance (they are Buick specialists) and ask them what they have done. If a T56 has been mated to a Buick engine, they were either directly involved or have knowledge of it. They also have a machine shop where they make parts like custom flywheels, which I think you will need.

Good luck on the swap. You may find that the 4th gen one is better for the Buick than the Viper model, but who knows?

 

Anyone else have input?

 

I'd b surprised if there wasn't a BOP (Buick-Olds-Pontiac) adapter out there for the T56 bellhousing. Buick, Olds, and Pontiac all used the same bellhousing on their V8s (and possibly 6's too, I don't know).

As for the Viper trans... there are kits out there to upgrade your F-body T56 to Viper specs. Its a kit that replaces certain internal parts that brings it to, and better, than what the Viper had. Some of those upgraded T56's get cars into the 7's. I know two guys with LS1 Camaros ('98 Z28, '99 SS) that both did this upgrade, and they love it. Both cars have dyno'd over 420rwhp too, for the record.

 

Look at my post here.

You buy an adapter plate and special pilot bushing that bolts on to a ls1 or ls2 t56. This allows you to use you stock clutch setup including bellhousing.

 

Thanks for the info!

Any idea if your adapter plate will fit the older Buick/Olds/Pontiac V8 engines as well as your Chevy small block?

 

Wow that looks like Mcleod's 8-207 adapter plate. The extended pilot bushing they speak of is a 8-1094-4.

 

Kris had some good info in this thread too.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...-bbc-bolt.html

Im gonna watch this thread closely, im looking to do the same thing in the next couple of years.

Finally getting back into a buick.

 

In my quest to bolt up a T56 to a BOP ive run into a few different kits.

Heres one of them.
http://www.weirhotrodproducts.com/id1.html

However, all kits were fairly frustrating, because they all just give you a way to bolt up the trans to the engine, and dont really mention how the clutch and flywheel will work. Those last two items are key.

I dont know if Weir has sold any of its BOP kits, but a while back the website made it sound like it was a full production kit, however if you read the website now, it sounds like its a kit in development.

Theres also word of kits that let you use your muncie clutch in an existing 4spd cars (since most BOP engines are from way back when). However, theyy usually wont mention that the T56 u bolt up is an aftermarket production.

 

Gave up already?

 

Yeah, pretty much. My dad keeps finding all kinds of T56's going for $1,500-$1,800 (which still can't handle the torque of the Stage 1) but then you figure in the cost of all this extra stuff to make the swap work, and it doesn't seem worth it to him anymore. I think he just plans on bolting up a Muncie and limiting any highway use. He wants a fun toy for around town and at the drag strip... not really a cruiser. He's probably going to put the money into either a Mustang II front end (currently a straight axle) or a 4-link and 9" in the rear (found out the posi in the 12 bolt is worn out).

I'll keep you posted if he changes his mind or finds something new.

Mike

 

wow thats exactly what my freind went through trying to OD his 455 olds.

However, his engine will be putting out close to 600ft/lbs, maybe more, so he decided to do it right the first time.

Super case, italian gears, stronger thrust bearing, amazing mcleod clutch, etc tec, its only about $2k cheaper than the TK0-600.

IF your dad is really set on an over drive, the price of an M22 isnt that far off. Look at the TKO and dont buy it from keisler if price is an object.

Oh well, i am determined to make this work, just have to wait for Weir to complete their kit.