custom t56 with long tubes crossmember with torque arm
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 79
Likes: 1
From: Jeffersonvlle
Car: 85 iroc with 92 ground effects
Engine: 355 11.1 world product heads
Transmission: t56
Axle/Gears: 3.54 dana 44
custom t56 with long tubes crossmember with torque arm
So after looking at others t56 crossmember I decided to make my own.
I used 2x2 angle iron, 3/8 cold rolled plate and some roll bar piping.
I set trans angle at -.5, squared the trans and put the torque arm the same height as it was with the t5 set up. I put the angle iron facing up and started from there. Made the center 3/8 all on piece so no where for weld to crack. Took an old piece of rollbar pipe and added gussets for strength.
Also in the process of adding pipe and angle iron from the subframe connectors to the mount area. I put two bolts going horizontal to help hold the mount.
Pictures







I used 2x2 angle iron, 3/8 cold rolled plate and some roll bar piping.
I set trans angle at -.5, squared the trans and put the torque arm the same height as it was with the t5 set up. I put the angle iron facing up and started from there. Made the center 3/8 all on piece so no where for weld to crack. Took an old piece of rollbar pipe and added gussets for strength.
Also in the process of adding pipe and angle iron from the subframe connectors to the mount area. I put two bolts going horizontal to help hold the mount.
Pictures







Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 79
Likes: 1
From: Jeffersonvlle
Car: 85 iroc with 92 ground effects
Engine: 355 11.1 world product heads
Transmission: t56
Axle/Gears: 3.54 dana 44
Re: custom t56 with long tubes crossmember with torque arm
Also dont mind the dirty floor, got muddy the other day, Also don't mind header flanges. They were tri y that come out 2.25 collector. I added 3 inch collector and will be doing full 3 inch form headers back since the crossmember gave me a bunch of room to make 3inch work
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 79
Likes: 1
From: Jeffersonvlle
Car: 85 iroc with 92 ground effects
Engine: 355 11.1 world product heads
Transmission: t56
Axle/Gears: 3.54 dana 44
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 746
Likes: 24
From: Atlantic Canada
Car: 87 Trans Am
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Re: custom t56 with long tubes crossmember with torque arm
Awesome set up! I might have to copy some of these ideas when I do the car over again.
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 1
From: Valdosta, GA
Car: 1991 Trans Am GTA
Engine: L98(5.7 L TPI)
Transmission: 700r4(A4)
Axle/Gears: G80 RPO, 3:23s, Auburn Racer's Diff
Re: custom t56 with long tubes crossmember with torque arm
I am extremely impressed with your skills. Good job!
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 46
From: Double Bratville
Car: '89 Formula
Engine: LS2
Transmission: 4L65E
Axle/Gears: MW 3.42 12 Bolt
Re: custom t56 with long tubes crossmember with torque arm
Looks good.
No pass side cross-brace from outer SFC to trans rail?
No pass side cross-brace from outer SFC to trans rail?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 79
Likes: 1
From: Jeffersonvlle
Car: 85 iroc with 92 ground effects
Engine: 355 11.1 world product heads
Transmission: t56
Axle/Gears: 3.54 dana 44
Re: custom t56 with long tubes crossmember with torque arm
Thanks everyone, Wasn't to hard to build just time consuming getting all the measurements right.
Driver side brace is all welded. I also welded the angle iron of the brace to car frame.
I have the other brace made just need to get bolts to go through and weld it in.
It has held up to my built 355. Launches burn outs and shot of nitrous and it has gone no where. Feels solid
Driver side brace is all welded. I also welded the angle iron of the brace to car frame.
I have the other brace made just need to get bolts to go through and weld it in.
It has held up to my built 355. Launches burn outs and shot of nitrous and it has gone no where. Feels solid
Trending Topics
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,028
Likes: 78
From: Desert
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: custom t56 with long tubes crossmember with torque arm
What did you use to bend the 3/8" thick steel? did you have a strong metal brake or did you heat up the metal with a Oxy acet torch and bend it in a vise? I'm interested in your design.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 79
Likes: 1
From: Jeffersonvlle
Car: 85 iroc with 92 ground effects
Engine: 355 11.1 world product heads
Transmission: t56
Axle/Gears: 3.54 dana 44
Re: custom t56 with long tubes crossmember with torque arm
Hey had used a torch and vise to bend the 3/8 section at a time. I had picked up the 3/8 bar piece from tractor supply pretty cheap(I think under 20)
Supreme Member
iTrader: (9)
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 3,871
Likes: 24
From: Mass
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: A4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: custom t56 with long tubes crossmember with torque arm
Nice setup. I made my own crossmember back in 2004. Long before these companies offered parts for us thirdgen guys swapping in newer drivetrain parts. Lowered car, LTs, and a T56 dont always work out well with speedbumps so I had to find a way to tuck my custom Ypipe I made up closer to the floor.














Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 79
Likes: 1
From: Jeffersonvlle
Car: 85 iroc with 92 ground effects
Engine: 355 11.1 world product heads
Transmission: t56
Axle/Gears: 3.54 dana 44
Re: custom t56 with long tubes crossmember with torque arm
Your cross member is how I got the idea to do mine. I actually bought the same box metal to start with using your pictures as reference. Decided I wanted to put the angle iron facing up and went from there. I still think there is no companies with t56 long tube tunnel mount torque arm.
Supreme Member
iTrader: (9)
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 3,871
Likes: 24
From: Mass
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: A4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: custom t56 with long tubes crossmember with torque arm
Your cross member is how I got the idea to do mine. I actually bought the same box metal to start with using your pictures as reference. Decided I wanted to put the angle iron facing up and went from there. I still think there is no companies with t56 long tube tunnel mount torque arm.
I'm glad I could help you out with your design. I have since sold that to a member in NH.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ambainb
Camaros for Sale
11
Apr 25, 2016 09:21 PM
smokingss
LSX and LTX Parts
2
Mar 3, 2016 07:40 PM
Dialed_In
Firebirds for Sale
2
Aug 20, 2015 01:45 PM








