cutting hole for t56
#3
Re: cutting hole for t56
Drew, yes I did. Lots of hacky jobs, nothing too too convincing comes up that I would like to replicate.
Looking for something a little more precise. I thought I remembered seeing a template kicking around here years ago but I can't find it.
People like you are a constant reminder of why I come here for help, thanks for your invigorating lightning fast response
Looking for something a little more precise. I thought I remembered seeing a template kicking around here years ago but I can't find it.
People like you are a constant reminder of why I come here for help, thanks for your invigorating lightning fast response
#4
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Location: Sebastian FL
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Car: 87 firebird 86 c10 90 mustang
Engine: 383 sbc
Transmission: 97 t56
Axle/Gears: Moser 12 bolt 3.73
Re: cutting hole for t56
When I did mine I put the trans in with the shifter off. Then went from the bottom and marked around it to make the hole as small as I could. I was on a lift whitch made that part easier. When I put it in for the final assembly I left off the shifter and poured the fluid in shifter hole till the fluid came out of the fill plug for a easy fill.
#7
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Re: cutting hole for t56
I'm not entirely sure how I'm eventually going to go about it. I picked up a section of 5spd trans tunnel to either make a pattern from, or weld into the car. Most people seem to agree the stock 5spd tunnel cut is an inch or two short of clearing the rear of the shifter. Theoretically the stock style opening could be moved back a bit, but there's not a lot of room between the stock 5spd cut, and the forward console mounting bracket.
I'm not sure, and I've got a few hundred smaller projects in line on the project car before I get to the point where I'm ready to install the drivetrain.
I'm not sure, and I've got a few hundred smaller projects in line on the project car before I get to the point where I'm ready to install the drivetrain.
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#8
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Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: 4.8 LR4
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 Bolt
Re: cutting hole for t56
When I did mine I put the trans in with the shifter off. Then went from the bottom and marked around it to make the hole as small as I could. I was on a lift whitch made that part easier. When I put it in for the final assembly I left off the shifter and poured the fluid in shifter hole till the fluid came out of the fill plug for a easy fill.
I'm not entirely sure how I'm eventually going to go about it. I picked up a section of 5spd trans tunnel to either make a pattern from, or weld into the car. Most people seem to agree the stock 5spd tunnel cut is an inch or two short of clearing the rear of the shifter. Theoretically the stock style opening could be moved back a bit, but there's not a lot of room between the stock 5spd cut, and the forward console mounting bracket.
#9
Re: cutting hole for t56
I'm also not convinced I want to stab the tranny in twice in order to get this hole precise. I think once I get the clutch and bellhousing on I'm going to take a bunch of measurements off the trans and have a go at it.
Wish I could find that template I know it was on here but it also could of been 10 years ago with the way time flies.
I also feel the search feature doesn't work as well is it did back in the day, or maybe it's my brain that doesnt...
Wish I could find that template I know it was on here but it also could of been 10 years ago with the way time flies.
I also feel the search feature doesn't work as well is it did back in the day, or maybe it's my brain that doesnt...
#10
Re: cutting hole for t56
I think I'm going to start on the trans dead center where it meets the bellhousing, verify this is centrally lined up with the center of the rectangular hole where the shifter assembly bolts on. Take this distance and measure off the installed bellhousing then go up from the distance until you hit the floor pan. Mark that and drill a small pilot hole. From that hole draw the rectangular dimension of the shifter probably plus 1/4 inch each side and cut it out.
#11
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Car: 87 firebird 86 c10 90 mustang
Engine: 383 sbc
Transmission: 97 t56
Axle/Gears: Moser 12 bolt 3.73
Re: cutting hole for t56
You could pretty easily slide the trans onto the the engine without the clutch and flywheel so you don’t have to line all that up just for a test fit.
#12
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Car: 87 firebird 86 c10 90 mustang
Engine: 383 sbc
Transmission: 97 t56
Axle/Gears: Moser 12 bolt 3.73
Re: cutting hole for t56
You can kinda see how tight I cut it here. Little bit of massaging with the old Ball peen hammer.
#13
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Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: cutting hole for t56
I did much as scooter describes. I ended up cutting just over an inch, probably no more than 1¼", from the rear of the hole. Just enough to remove the reinforcement on that section of thehole. It was then possible to put the original rubber shifter boot back on with all its screws except for those back ones, and make a simple clamp sort of bracket to hold it down back there to where it was completely sealed.
I don't recall having to use the gentle and subtle fine alignment tool (aka BFH) on my car for it, but I had an aftermarket crossmember (Spohn) that seemed to hold it down a scosch lower than the T-5 had been. Different parts choices might result in different details.
I don't recall having to use the gentle and subtle fine alignment tool (aka BFH) on my car for it, but I had an aftermarket crossmember (Spohn) that seemed to hold it down a scosch lower than the T-5 had been. Different parts choices might result in different details.
#14
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Car: 1989 Z28 Camaro
Engine: removed 406 building 383
Transmission: 700R4 swapping to T56
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" 3.70 going to 4.10 or 4.30
Re: cutting hole for t56
I finally got to the task of cutting out the hole for my T56 shifter. I used pictures from TGO for reference and tried to do a neat job. The sheet metal is thinner than I thought and was not hard to cut or drill the starter holes on the corners. It was a funny feeling to remove the drivers seat and console and cut a big hole in the floor as I have owned my 89 Z28 since Oct of 89 when new but I think driving around with a 6 speed and my new motor will be a lot of fun. Here a few more pictures that people may use as a reference to help them.
#16
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Car: 1989 Z28 Camaro
Engine: removed 406 building 383
Transmission: 700R4 swapping to T56
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" 3.70 going to 4.10 or 4.30
Re: cutting hole for t56
The end of the camaro emergency brake handle without the cover, I found in several pictures to be just slightly to the rear of the center of the opening. After cutting my hole using measurments I found in pics on TGO my e-brake handle ended up about in that spot. I hope these pics help someone else.
#17
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Car: 1989 Firebird
Engine: 5.7 LS1
Transmission: T56
Re: cutting hole for t56
Mine is very similar I started with a smaller hole and once I had the trans in I used a air-body saw to trim it up... I just lowered the tail hosing down and set the guard so I wouldn't hit anything and trimmed it with the trans in place. easier to trim than add metal back. With the body saw no sparks, just make sure the trans is covered and sealed so you don't get chips in it.
There is an indentation in the floor pan that sortof looks like where the hole would be for a original stick car. Though mine is a little more to the right than the pictures above. There is some variation depending on your set up.
One thing to consider you may want to make the hole large enough to change out the shifter if you ever decide to do so.
Side note the plastic plugs under the rear seat of a 4th gen fills the hole for the original auto cable quite nicely. I used one of those and some seam sealer. Then I have the lower shifter boot from the 4th gen.
There is an indentation in the floor pan that sortof looks like where the hole would be for a original stick car. Though mine is a little more to the right than the pictures above. There is some variation depending on your set up.
One thing to consider you may want to make the hole large enough to change out the shifter if you ever decide to do so.
Side note the plastic plugs under the rear seat of a 4th gen fills the hole for the original auto cable quite nicely. I used one of those and some seam sealer. Then I have the lower shifter boot from the 4th gen.
#18
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Car: 1989 Z28 Camaro
Engine: removed 406 building 383
Transmission: 700R4 swapping to T56
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" 3.70 going to 4.10 or 4.30
Re: cutting hole for t56
The centerline of the T56 shifter mounting flange is about 3/8" to the left of the transmission centerline so I shifted my hole about that much from the center of the tunnel. After seeing how easy to cut the sheet metal was I figured once the trans was in I could cover the shifter mounting hole and enlarge as needed. I'll try to find one of the plastic plugs your referred to for my shifter cable hole.
#19
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Re: cutting hole for t56
One of these days I really need to gain renewed interest in working on my project car. Threads like this at least get me thinking about it again...
I only got as far as removing the auto shifter mounting bracket and deviated to some other more important aspects of the project. Still haven't decided how I want to go about opening up the shifter hole.
I only got as far as removing the auto shifter mounting bracket and deviated to some other more important aspects of the project. Still haven't decided how I want to go about opening up the shifter hole.