Ok, after being deployed for the last year I'm finally home and getting back to my many projects. Before I left I managed to pick up a LT1 T56 out of a 94 camaro. It came with the pedals, bellhousing, shifter and hydraulics. All for 600bucks. I planned on freshing it up before I installed it. Well I'm not really happy with my options for clutchs for the pull type clutch(maybe this is unwarranted) As of now I have a stock 305 in the car with a t5. Fun car to drive but I'm not gonna win any races either(just figuratively....I don't race on the street) I would like to convert this t56 to the ls1 style. I know I need a new bellhousing, imput shaft, midplate, hydraulic t.o. bearing. I have to buy a clutch either way so thats kind of a wash.. I have a fresh 355(should be just over 400hp) sitting in the corner. Later on down the road I could see possibly going to some type of LS series engine(not now though). Also I've seen the companies machineing the tail housing for cable driven speedos. I will not put electric in the car. Anyone had the tail shaft done? Any thoughts in general.. anything I maybe overlooking?

 

If you're not going to an LS engine now, my recommendation would be don't convert the trans. to LS style now. The LT1 T56 is a very straightforward swap in a T5 car and you won't have to shorten or replace the driveshaft.

Unless you unwisely built the 350 using an antique 350 block, the clutch and flywheel are pretty cheap, all things considered.

In short, your equation is at this point: new flywheel (stock 93-97 for an 86-up 350 block or aftermarket for 85-down) + new clutch (for 94 Z28) + new pressure plate bolts

Versus:

Input shaft, front adapter plate + extended pilot bearing + conversion parts to use the LS style T56 with Gen I engine + driveshaft work. And you wouldn't really gain anything by this other than an increase in how much time you have to put into the build. And the shifter is even further back with this option (not in a helpful way.)

 

Welcome home, we thank you for your service to our country.