I am planning out my swap and I know I want to put a 5.3 or a 6.0 in my car but neither will come with a T56 bolted to it. I found a 97 LT1 & T56 that has everything needed for the swap at a pretty good price. I plan on buying it, selling the LT1, and keeping the T56, pedals, etc. What do I need to install this trans onto a LSx engine? What can I reuse and what do I need to buy? Also, I can reuse my torque arm, driveshaft, and yolk by using this trans and I couldn't with a LS1 T56 right?

PS I searched and found a lot of info on either installing this trans or a LS1 T56 onto a gen 1 sbc but no answers to my situation.

 

The LT1 T56 must have it's bellhousing, front plate, and input shaft changed to LS1 versions. It should be re-shimmed once converted also.

Some older 5.3 and 6.0s have larger crank flanges, so you want to watch/stay-away from those.

 

Would this be easier/cheaper than getting a LS1 T56?

 

In general, it's gonna be cheaper/easier to get an LS1 F-body T56. It depends on what you bought the LT1-T56 for, how much you can get the conversion parts for, and how much you have to pay someone to convert it if not DIY..