Okay, so I've been reading the stickies but it's hard to wrap my brain around all this info.

I will be dropping a factory L31 block in front of my old T5. General consensus on here is that this will toll the bells for the tired old W/C. This being said, I see a lot of talk about strengthening the T5 being a lesson in futility, but I'm scared and bewildered by the prospect of getting a new transmission and opening a whole new can o' worms.

The T5. I dont ever plan on running anything tougher than my 330tq factory rated L31 in front of it. Is it really doomed? Can the case not be reinforced and the gears replaced with stronger stuff?

The T56. What do I need to make this work? How much fabrication is involved? Will my exhaust still fit? What the hell is the diff between a "push" or "pull" style clutch and how hard is it to get this change right? Do I really need a different flywheel?

TKO Transmissions. I have been considering one of these for quite some time. What is necessary to install these? Bellhousing? Xmember? Is it worth the money?

I'm pretty lost folks. Any helpful advice, input, or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

If you don't abusively drive it, the T5 will work behind an L31 for a long time. There are people who drive like they have to pay for the repairs and there are those who drive like the drivetrain owes them a favour. If you want to beat on the car, get a T56.

Picture a stock 88 flywheel for your car. Now picture it thicker (farther from the height of the surface down to to the bolts. That's basically an LT1 T56 flywheel.

Picture your stock 88 clutch disc. It has a sprung hub so the hub can twist against springs in the direction of rotation the engine is going. This hub with a T5 is to the back of the car. On an LT1 T56, it's forward, but it still allows the hub to be sprung correctly (so it's kind of backwards, but it's not.)

Picture your stock 88 clutch pressure plate. Stamped steel, and the diaphragm spring obviously has fingers that lift the surface ring when the center of the fingers is pressed. An LT1 T56 has fingers that when pulled, lift the surface ring. Call ahead and then stop by an auto parts place that has an LT1 clutch in stock. It makes sense in person.

An LT1 / LT4 is an 86-up SBC bottom end. So the LT1 T56 bolts right up to any 86-up L31, L98 etc. The starter must have a small cone to fit the bellhousing. (I have a 305 third gen starter w/ mine; the L98 starter does not fit.)

There are several other ways to use a T56. The LT1 T56 is the most straightforward except for the speedo.

TKO - there are a few

Keep searching and reading.

 

Thanks for the insight. It's a big help. I will need a different clutch assembly if I'm going to t56 correct? I've never, ever fiddled with a transmission before. I gutted a ford C4 once, that's it. Brave new world for me.

I'm skurrd :[

 

Centerforce DF 700107 get the kit. Carolina Clutch also sells a few different varieties of the SPEC clutch/FW package depending on power needs. They also sell the PP bolts 10079898 that are impossible to find. Bellhousing bolts right up to the block . Rest guys can help you with . One sweet shifting trans Ill tell you that even with a stock shifter. Short throw even better.

 

The engine I have is a one-piece main. '97 block.

 

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CTF-700175/

Quick grab of the 1piece flywheel incase anybody else needs it.