I have a 91 RS that I'm putting a big block 396 into. I also picked up a T-56 I believe is out of an 02 Camaro. The bell housing bolts up okay but the input shaft is about 3/4 of an inch too long. I'm stuck on what to do. Can I just cut and shorten the input shaft, or do i need a new one? I think I've heard of an adapter plate that will work too. Can someone please point me in the right direction!! I want to move on with my overhaul and I need the tranny in so I can make crossmembers and stuff like that. Thanks!!

 

Ideally you'll get a T5 Bellhousing/clutch/etc or an SFI equiv. and
use the adapter plate here:
http://www.thegearbox.org/catalog/it...17/4803441.htm

You'd basically be building the equiv. of the Aftermarket T56:
http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/Borg.../bwt56pics.cfm

Except the shifter will need accommodated forward and you'll have
to deal with the electronic VSS. You still need to deal with an "Aftermarket"
Xmem and shortening the torque arm and driveshaft.

You can convert the LS1 T56 to an LT1 style by changing the input-shaft
and front case plate and reshimming. Then you can use the standard
LT1 bellhousing/clutch/etc. and standard driveshaft, torque-arm, etc.

 

ok, so I'll need the plate? and I'm running a 4 link so i'm not sure what i'll do on members and stuff. i'm just a little confused, you said i'll get a t-5 bellhousing and clutch? i already have the t56 bellhousing and i hear that the lt1 style clutch is a bear to install. thanks!

 

You have to first decide what type/style of bellhousing/clutch/linkage to use, then adapt the LS1 T56 to that. You won't be able to use the LS1 bellhousing with either option.

Since it sounds like you might be racing it hard, I'd suggest a scattershield (lakewood,mcleod,quicktime,etc.) with the muncie bolt pattern. You can then decide on the flywheel/clutch/linkage that fits your needs. Since you're
putting it into a thirdgen, the T5 hyd. linkage should be a direct fit to the muncie-type scattershield. Stock muncie type BBC flywheel/clutch should work also, just make sure you get a 26-spline disc for the clutch.

Once that's done, you can deal with the back part of the trans with your setup.

 

Okay, Thanks for the help!!
So with the muncie option I'll need the plate to adapt it to the muncie bellhousing/ scattershield? And that will solve the long input shaft problem, right?

One last thing, I was looking at munic bellhousings and I'm confused on what to get, some are under 300 dollars and some are 500, if you have a link or part # could you post it? Thanks again!

 

Do you already have the T5 hydraulics, clutch, etc.? If not, you might just want to look at the quicktime conversion bellhousings shown at the botton of this thread: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tran...n-ls1-t56.html

If you want to keep/use the older push-type fork clutch setups, then you need to decide on the flywheel/clutch size and setup, then make sure you get a bellhousing that fits those specs..