Years ago, I remember seeing Rockland Standard offering an upgraded T-56 that was a direct fit for 3rd Gens.

It's no longer on their site.

Does anyone know of one being sold by anyone?

 

I have built them.

Any Tremec vendor that knows their stuff can do it.

 

Can you go over what's involved, and costs?

 

For a SBC or LT1/LT4, the sticky thread goes over the most straight forward, most direct third-gen swap. (I have an LT1 bellhousing if anyone is looking)

Add an alloy-modified tailhousing for speedo cable as needed.

Outside of that, it depends on the beginning core transmission and whether it's an LS or SBC/BBC build.

HP/TQ requirements?
Ratio choices?
LS or SBC crank depth?

 

OK, I read the sticky before posting this, but again, what I'm looking for is a direct-fit T-56; one that works with the factory bellhousing and clutch, speedo gear, etc.

Rockland Standard used to sell rebuilt, upgraded T-56s that were a direct fit in a 3rd Gen. If I recall correctly, they went for around 2,000-2500.

Apparently, they no longer offer them. I'm trying to find out if anyone else does. T

The car will remain a small block, no more than 500hp, want a 1st gear of no less than 2.95; 6th around .5

EDIT: The early LT1 T56 ratios of 3.36, 2.07, 1.35, 1.00, .80, .62 would be perfect. I run a 3.42 rear, which launches well with the T5's 2.95 1st gear, but would do even better with a 3.36 1st gear. My next set of tires and wheels will be taller, and I was a little concerned about the launch.

 

Borg Warner created the extra-long input shaft "direct fit T56." They required shortening the driveshaft, torque arm, and modding or fabbing a crossmember. They were discontinued years back and are only exactly replicatable by finding a used M28, finding certain parts and custom machining. Not worth it for one of the weaker offerings.

If I finish developing a new push clutch option I am working on, you'll hear from me, but my plate is full lately.

The 3.36 is a one-year only thing; they're not a better option for what you're building; it would drive like a truck granny gear and slow you down overall. Kind of like driving a V6 S10 T5. Yuck.

Stick with the 2.95 first. If you are 100% dead-set on the 0.50 sixth with that first, just get a Magnum. Personally, I'd want the .57 sixth. The 2.9x trans. 1st-4th are nicely evenly spaced. 5th and 6th are very tractable too.

 

http://www.rsgear.com/products/trans...tranzilla.aspx it's still there

 

I'm confused. I've always understood that structurally, 3rd and 4th gens are identical from the motor mounts-back (with the exception of the front suspension).

I have a 4th gen, T56-car driveshaft in my car now, which would seem to bear that out.

I thought the only issues with fitting a T56 into a 3rd Gen were the "twist" in the way the T5 mounts, addressed by an adapter plate, or bellhousing swap, the clutch actuation. and the speedo gear.

 

Tom,

I don't see where it says anything about being a direct fit for our cars. Am I missing something?

 

I finally heard back from Rockland Standard. Not sure exactly what he is saying:

"Sean
We did a corvette gear set but tremec is slowly discontinuing the parts. Now we build a magnum tz but u have to replace the clutch with a ram push set up
George RSG race division"

 

Can you recommend a few?

I've called Standard Transmission and Gear, who lists an "Aftermarket GM, For T5 Replacement Only" T56, and they act like I'm speaking another language.

Same goes for Rockland, who used to advertise an "upgraded" T56 that was a "bolt-in" for 3rd Gens. I talked with them about it in 2006. It's not just that they don't offer it anymore, they appear thunderstruck at the very idea of it. I got put on hold 3 times, switched over to another tech who incredulously asked "You want a direct-fit T56 for WHAT?????"

This all seemed pretty simple to me. I'm going to have to buy a transmission when I do the swap. I don't need something that takes 1000 ft lbs of torque, and laughs, but I want to avoid the inherent weaknesses in the stock, 4th Gen T56s, and as long as I'm buying a new (remanufactured) one, I figured I'd go ahead and get one that fits.

In 2006, RS Gear sold this transmission for 1995,00

 

And that's part of what you'll run into. There is a bit of translation needed to turn what you think you want into "use this, this, these, and that part with a core from a 200x such and such and it'll fit into Sean's thirdgen."

He's saying Rockland can't build transmissions while Tremec selectively discontinues T56 parts on a whim so they build off the TR6060 / T56 Magnum. They do that because TTC supports their OEM manufacturers and the new product line better than the T56. Rockland goes with an aftermarket hydraulic throwout bearing.

Plus you want "bolt-in" but want to use your stock bellhousing, which makes things less than 100% bolt-in.

Prices have come up a lot. 2006 prices are about as much a current reference point as what shoe size my older kid wore a year ago.

 

But you're still telling me what I can't do, and even why I can't do it. What I'm asking you is: "How do I do it?"

You're also contradicting yourself. Earlier, you said: "Any Tremec vendor that knows their stuff can do it."

OK, great! Who? I've spoken to two, they can't.

You're saying the communication problem is that I don't speak their language, and I couldn't agree more. But, you speak their language, don't you? Couldn't you tell me what I need to say to them so they can understand what I want?

I KNOW, for a fact, that Rockland standard used to offer it. There was also an article in GMHTP about doing the swap with someone's kit. I don't recall the manufacturer, and I can't find the article online, but I clearly remember reading it. It used the stock bellhousing, with a plate to correct the twist. It used the Stock clutch, slave cylinder, and no shortening of the driveshaft was required.

Clearly, it can be done. I sure see a lot of interest on this forum in this swap.

If swapping to an aftermarket, or LT1 bellhousing is a better solution, that's not a roadblock, but I'd like to get some hard information on where I might be able to find a direct fit T56, or have one rebuilt.

 

Here is the part # and info 1386-000-011
Maybe you can find someone that still has one.
I just did, it was in Oregon. $3000

You do have to have a drive shaft 2" shorter and a torque arm shorter too.

http://www.moderndriveline.com/Techn...remec_t-56.htm

 

now that really wouldn't be direct fit....

 

It's about as direct fit as you're going to get.
The T-56 transmissions have about a 2" section of bell housing on the front of them.
The Lt1 bell housing is only 6" the T-5 housing is 8' deep. (there is the 2")