Hi guys, Its been since 2007 that I've had a 3rd gen and I'm craving another one. Going to look at a 92 V6 manual shift car. My plan is to get the car and swap in a 350 SBC. My last 3rd gen was an 84 Z/28HO with auto. It became a 383 beast. This time around I'm wanting more of a fun daily driver. Thinking about something around 320hp to 350hp carbed engine with a fairly smooth idle, all the suspension goodies from spohn or wherever with a limited slip and a manual. My questions are many, but mainly can the stock manual trans handle that level of power, if not can it be strengthened, or rebuilt to be strong enough? If the answer is no, then is there an easy bolt up alternative that will allow me to use my 3rd gens peddles and such or am I stuck doing the T56 6 speed swap like I've seen detailed before? It seams fairly involved for me seeing as I've only done engine swaps. My 383's 700 was pulled, built stronger and re-installed, so modifying of the car was needed. What do you guys suggest?

 

A T56 swap is pretty easy. You can use the 3rd gen pedals with it and buy a swap crossmember. IIRC everything else you just get from an LT1 donor unless you need the special flywheel for older SBCs. I think you also need to cut an extra 2" or something from the rear of the shifter hole.

 

Around here it's difficult to get your hand's on 4th gen lt1 cars and parts. There's plenty drives out there, but finding a donor is nearly impossible. Another thing is that I haven't tried sourcing and engine yet. I know I'm not goin to the LS option, even though I would love to. LS are ridiculous prices around here and it's not easy finding someone to do the computer work. I'm comfortable with the traditional SBC, but I'm also interested in an LT1, but I'm not sure even how to deal with those engines. I know they can be carberated, but I don't know how to deal with the optispark so I'm probably gonna stick with the gen 1 SBC. Is there no way to beaf up the original trans?

 

The stock v6 trans doesn't work well on a v8 anyway spline count is wrong and its first gear is too low. Its not strong a d you can't upgrade it reliably. There 're aftermarket headsets and cases which will add strength but the cost is more than a t56 swap or even a new tko600.

You will not be able to use any of the stock engine and trans.

 

OK. Thanks for the info. Is it true that to use a T56 I'll need a block with the one piece rear main seal? I was told the older 2 piece rear main blocks won't work.

 

The older blocks will work you just need a special flywheel for the 2-piece rear main seal blocks.

 

for that lil bit of hp look in the v6 section and turbo the 3.1 for around 800-900 bucks
will get better gas mileage and be just as fast or faster since it will make a ton more tq for less work and money

u will have to replace the stock clutch though it wont hold at those power levels ( turbocharged v6 making 300 hp to the tires will generally make about 400ftlbs of tq to the tires , at 350hp to the tires ur looking at around 465 ish ftlbs ) , we did a turbo build on pilsburys 5 speed car and the clutch would give up with only 3-4 psi of boost , though we belive he had some underlying clutch issues to begin with

for a street car that wont be at the track on slicks , and or clutch dumps/power shifted on the street the t5 will hold up , chances are u would never find enough traction except in 4th or 5th gear to hurt the trans

u can also do a t56 swap with the v6 engine


also u can use the v6 trans with a v8 , u just need the v8 belhousing , and a clutch disc from an astro van if i rember correctly, few ppl have used the v6 trans behind the v8 they can tell u which off the shelf clutch disk to use

 

I'm one of the "few people" using a V6 T5 behind a 350 that project89 mentioned. My 350 is about 330hp/380tq at the flywheel. It's held up just fine for me, but I don't abuse it(much). I did rebuild the trans before putting it behind the V8.

Don't power shift from 2-3 and don't dump the clutch. You need a V8 bellhousing, flywheel, and pressure plate. Clutch disc from an 82-84 V6 S10 or S15 will work, that's what I have. You can reuse the clutch pedals, hydraulics, crossmember and driveshaft.

I also had to trim about an 1/8" off the nose of the input shaft for it to mate up fully. I just used an angle grinder.

First gear is pretty short, especially so since I swapped from 3.42 rear gears to a 3.73.

Link to clutch disc:

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Flathe...ion,38143.html

 

I know T56s are expensive, but they will take a lot of abuse and are geared properly for a V8. You'll never be afraid of dumping the clutch at 5000 rpm or aggressively shifting.