this is a longer one guys, and its a doozy too. let me know what you think about my hair brainity!!

i have a 454 (open, oval port 781's, good street motor.) that i first wanted to put in a third gen. i have a 91 formula, unfortunately auto, that im trying to get rid of so i can get a manual tranny camaro/bird for. now i have the chance to trade some more of my crap, for a C5 complete transaxle setup.

i was originally lookin for just a t-56 (neone know of one that needs a home?) but i found this setup at what seems like a good price, $2000. i has the torque tube, tranny, gearbox, drivelines, everything. i just dont know if it can be put into a third gen.

a "BBC'd, C5 transaxle'd and IRS'd third gen?" i think if i can pull it off it would be one sweet ride. i searched the forums already and found a couple articles, but none that really discussed a complete C5 transaxle install. mine is all the more complicated by the BB going in there too. neway, let me know if you think or know it can be done.

im only really concerned with space issues (cutting the rear seats out doesnt bother me as long as i can keep the structural integrity of the car) and getting the IRS to work, which ive already seen a C4 IRS be put into a third gen so thats a start even though a transaxle is a totally different story.

plus wouldnt that be sick? a 500 hp BBC with the weight distribution of a vette transaxle, not to mention the AUTO-X capabilities with the IRS, all in third gen sexiness!!

if anyone has done this or considered it, let me know your findings cuz im seriously considering it.

 

The search feature will give you a wealth of information on doing a transaxle swap. You're not the first one to come up with the idea. Just because someone hasn't used a C5 version doesn't mean it can or can't be done. With enough time and money, anything can be fabricated.

Installing the BBC has nothing to do with installing the transaxle.

Why don't you just buy a C5?

 

i did several searches on transaxles, corvette suspensions, rear ends etc, and found two threads that were remotely helpful. more like discouragment.

not to get snippy, but your reply seemed a bit derogitory. i realize with enough money that anything can be fabbed, trust me ive done plenty of 4x4 fabbing in my day, and i know that it can be done. im more looking for info of first hand knowledge. and also i dont "just go buy a C5" because if i could just go buy one i wouldnt be on this forum in the first place. if i had all the money in the world i would ask ppl like you for help, not that im getting alot as it is.

unfortunately, the moderators on this site (save 1, maybe 2) donet seem to provide alot of helpful input to the members as ive seen. more members on here have the right, knowledge and will to help than most of the moderators.

anyway, did the searches, came up with nothing, lookin for some first hand knowledge. not looking to hack up a car just to make something fit, no matter how dope it would be. want to know if this would fit with a minimal amount of fabrication and body removal.

so does anyone ELSE have some helpful input?

 

I've heard of a few people trying this with C4 parts (though they didn't use a transaxle like the C5) and even though it did work, it required basically fabricating the entire back half of the car to do it and make it work properly. Adding the C5 transaxle on top of that would make it just that much more difficult.

It could be done, but to do it right is going to take alot of creativity, money, and time.

 

The biggest problem with the C5 setup is you're locked into using the Torque Tube, and thus your locked into the length between the transaxle and the clutch housing of the tube. Just about everything (mounts/xmems/lines/consoles/shifters/etc) will have to be custom fit, so the discouragement you might feel you're getting is well-founded.

The C5 IRS is also as weak as most IRS systems, and designed around a 3000lb car, not a BBC thirdgen, so you're not buying any strength there.

I'm sure when you say there's no T56s around, you mean there's no $500 T56s around.. I've got 5 sitting in my shop now, built and ready to install..

 

thanks guys. thats basically the info im looking for. like i said, knew that some 3rd gens had C4 setups, just never seen or heard of a C5 third gen. after the other research i did last night, i found that i would have to cut most of the floor behind the front seats out to clear the trans, and i would have to modify the fuel tank as well. id did find that i could use a mono-spring style cross leaf, instead of coils, but the shocks would have to be custom mounted. the shifter location is suprisingly close, about 2 inches farther rearward, so a modified center console is a necessity too. i did also find that the torque tube is just barely short of mounting to the engine. unfortunately the transaxle couldnt be moved forward to accomodate, due to wheel fitment, and if you tried youd have to chop the whole rear of the car apart. an adapter section or lengthned torque tube could fix that i spose.

all in all like Adam said: money, time, and creativity. ive got the creativity, drive, and time, just not so much the money. may still consider it though.

and no, i didnt mean 500 dollar t56's. the best price ive seen was 900 for a 160000 mile lt1 trans that had a blown 2nd gear. im not a cheap a$$, but i am a semi budget builder.

i do afterall live in montana, and theres not exactly a wealth of muscle cars here, or parts for muscle cars. you live in Maryland, so im sure you do have alot of stuff there. ive searched all the way to california for a tranny, and the best price ive found is 2200 for an ls1 model, pickup only. not exactly feasable in my mind.

so once again put simply, there are no available t56 6 speed trannies within 1000 miles of my home.

on the note about the IRS and 3000 pounds, i can see your point somewhat. the car weight is definitely an issue, but lightweight body panels, engine components and drivetrain accessories can drastically reduce the weight of a third gen, even one with a BBC to near 3000 pounds. also, if power was your concern, then im not worried about that transaxle handling the HP or TQ of the BBC, especially since the transaxle im looking at came with an LS7.

neway, i appreciate the input, would still love to hear from someone that possibly attempted or is attempting this!

 

Saying IRS isn't great for a heavy car is kind of a blanket statement, IMO. GTOs tip teh scale at 39-4200lbs with close to 400hp stock and while they're not bulletproof they can handle the power for awhile. Terminator cobras come with IRS and make gobs of power. Granted, a lot of guys swap the IRS for a live axle but that's for drag racing.

http://www.americantouringspecialties.com/main.html

Check out that guy. He's swapped transaxles into first gens so I'm sure he knows first hand what it takes to put one it. Myself, I've always wanted to put a c5/c6 transaxle into a thirdgen. I think it'd be awesome. A ton of work but cool nonetheless. And the torque tube would be the least of your worries. You can search LS1tech/corvetteforums and find info on companies that stretch/shorten tubes along with making carbon fiber/aluminum replacements.

 

yea, ive read about shipka in Hotrod, Camaro Performers and CHP. his is one sick camaro! read about him in the lates Camaro Performers at the street challenge.

im still doing research for it, but my machinist was optimistic about the tube when i talked with him today about it. my bigger worries now are just fitting the trans back there where its not sposed to be.