Planning on swapping a T-56 (1995 f-body) into a T-5 Formula Firebird (1989). I've read the ENTIRE "My T-56 Swap" post and have less fear, but still have a major question. I haven't been able to find it when I searched the forum.

I'm trying to decide whether to fork out the $150 for a fab crossmember. I can't seem to find anything that says how the stock torque arm connects to the trans or x-member. Also, will either of the stock x-members (Auto or Manual Trans 3rd gen) bolt in or do they always have to me modified.

Note: Car is a 5.0 TBI motor. I'm not planning on building a 300hp motor...yet. I want to do that later, but for now, the car needs the tranny, so I figured I'd swap it now & can put a better torque arm in when I do the motor and have more $$.

 

You use the torque arm bracket from the T5 and install it on the T56 and you are done.

You need to either make or buy a crossmember. No stock 3rd gen crossmember will work

 

I went with making one, and don't have any of the complaints of ground clearance that many folks have with the over the counter products :

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...p/P5260595.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...p/P5260590.jpg

clearly last pic is on jack stands, but you can see how everything hugs the body. just cut up and re-braced the factory mount so I still have the tiny bit of adjustability I need and everything is perfect.

 

The torque arm puts stress on the tailhousing casting. Not bad in stock apps. but not the best design.

So, if you can get a crossmember for $150 that makes the T56 a bolt-in and takes the stock torque arm off the tailhousing, I'd go for it.

 

Your options for the crossmember are basically the spohn's one or the Hawks one or make one yourself. The Hawks one is a little lighter and will help some if running a Y pipe there for ground clearance. As the pic shows the T56 mount is about 3 inches further back than the T5 or 700R4. The pic did a good job of showing how simple a home fabbed crossmember can be. With the aftermarket crossmembers you may have options for a crossmember mount torque arm. It may be a good idea based on your use but you need to decide that.

 

What you use for pedals in a 3rd gen when you do a t56 swap. Ive only done swaps with 4th gens so ive always used 4th gen pedals. Will 4th gen pedals fit a 3rd gen?

 

All the information is in the T56 swap thread sticky at the top. Basically they work if you cut off the gas pedal and elongate some of the brake booster bolt holes. Also need to almost make a new hole for the top bolt.
It seems to be recommended that you use the 4th gen hyydraulics also.