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I am planning the upgrade of my 1984 Firebird Trans Am with a T56 and new rear Diff from a 1994 Z28 donor car.
The focus is the upgrade of the 700R4 to the T56 of course, but I am using that as an excuse to install some of the other 4th gen parts First I will start by stripping the donor car and i would like to check in with all of you fine folks to see if there are any useful parts I am missing that I can use and might be a worthwhile upgrade while I'm in there:
The other biggest question is choice of flywheel weight for primarily weekend driver, the standard mcleod is 30 lbs, i just wondered what others are running.
So here is my summary of project planning so far:
Strip parts car
• front and rear Brakes
• Springs?
• Transmission/slave cyl and shifter boot
• Clutch/brake pedal assembly
• Rear differential assembly
• Parking brake cables
From there I will then dispose of the rusty shell and do the following:
Check transmission parts
• Inspect Transmission and shifter (Suggestions on someone in the SW
ontario area anyone?
• Obtain new clutch assembly and correct flywheel for my 2 piece rear
main seal eagle crank 383 stroker $2-$400 USD
• New slave assembly
• New torque arm mount
• New torque arm mount
Modify tailshaft t56 to accept cable driven spedo
Then,
Check rear driveline parts
• Drain and inspect for wear
• True trac differential $410USD
• 4.11 ring/pinion $150USD
• New rotors, pads/calipers
• New parking back cables
• New Bushings
• New springs
From there I need to Prep Firebird for new parts
• Remove engine/tranny/rear end
• Disassemble interior center console and under dash areas
• Install SFC's ($199USD) https://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-1992-
GM-F-Body/Chassis/Subframe-Connectors/Tubular-Sub-Frame-
Connectors-T-Top-Hard-Top-Cars.html
• New transmission cross member (Sphon $119USD) https://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-1992...Transmissions-
Accessories/Transmission-Swap-Crossmembers/T-56-from-a-93-97-
F-Body-Transmission-Crossmember.html
• Install rear Differential with new springs, brakes, ebrake cables and
shocks
• Install new 4thgen pedal assembly and slave cyl assembly
• Mount clutch/tranny/scattershield??
• Re-Install Engine/tranny
• Refresh front suspension, check for missing parts, adjust steering
box, new shocks and springs
• Install 4th gen front brakes if possible
So I am looking for input on the tranny inspection, flywheel resources, and I am in the Southwestern Ontario region if anyone knows someone good with the T56 to see if mine is ok or needs anything before I put it in.
Very excited, been trying to locate a tranny for years, now I have the whole donor car, yay!
You're low on $ for the 2pc RMS 93-97 T56 flywheel.
A never-rebuilt 94 T56 with a fair no. of km. on it can need a fair bit of work.
If it appears to have been serviced in the past, maybe run it as is, maybe you'll luck out for a season or more.
Personally, I would get the tq. arm mount off the tailhousing and onto the crossmember by investing a bit more there. Vibration can be an evil force. Trans. mount in rubber should vibrate far less and last far longer.
You're headed in a good direction with parts car and planning. Let us know how it goes.
I have not looked into relocating the torque arm off of the transmission, since I’m buying An adaptor anyway perhaps it’s not much of a price point change for that, I will look into it thanks!
Holley has a nice crossmember that I just got for my T56 swap that mounts the tq arm on it and gives some small adjustment to the pinion angles. Also I like the UMI subframe connectors better myself. But that's just my .02
Holley has a nice crossmember that I just got for my T56 swap that mounts the tq arm on it and gives some small adjustment to the pinion angles.
That's not for purpose of adjusting pinion angle. Raising and lowering the front of the torque arm is a method of changing Instant Center. The pinion angle is a separate adjustment.
Well next question, is it good to keep the springs as an upgrade or replacement? The 84 is overdue for springs and shocks, probably different spring rates but not sure if people have used them or not.
Just a thought as I was draining the tranny fluid into a clean container from the parts car.. would it be worth sending the oil away to have it analyzed for $30 bucks? Not knowing what condition the tranny is in I’m looking for clues without spending cash for a full rebuild if it doesn’t need it.
I noticed that some of the factory tags looked like they had black paint on them I was wondering if maybe it has been rebuilt already. Doesn’t look that fresh though, I can’t see any sealant or anything..
Actually, that looks like a virgin 94-95 T56, which you expected, eh?
Lube analysis isn't going to tell you much. The blocker rings are fiber those years (replacements were carbon starting late 90s) and the 2nd gear synchronization teeth are weak those years. Granted, you could drop $ to be told there is fiber and metal in the fluid, but that won't change whether it drives fine, which it may. Armchair rebuild says new pads, blocker rings, new 2nd gear, maybe bearings, maybe not, the 5-6 gear fit on the mainshaft may need welded up, and upgraded keys and pads aren't a bad idea.
There is RTV above the green service tag. The black spots in the other pic, maybe oil, maybe undercoating?
Actually, that looks like a virgin 94-95 T56, which you expected, eh?
Lube analysis isn't going to tell you much. The blocker rings are fiber those years (replacements were carbon starting late 90s) and the 2nd gear synchronization teeth are weak those years. Granted, you could drop $ to be told there is fiber and metal in the fluid, but that won't change whether it drives fine, which it may. Armchair rebuild says new pads, blocker rings, new 2nd gear, maybe bearings, maybe not, the 5-6 gear fit on the mainshaft may need welded up, and upgraded keys and pads aren't a bad idea.
There is RTV above the green service tag. The black spots in the other pic, maybe oil, maybe undercoating?
Yes it does look rather original to me as well, which I was crossing my fingers would have been either super well maintained or rebuilt, but it seems without having someone take it apart for inspection I'm at a loss on wether to run it or not. I'm very hesitant to pass it over to a local tranny guy to "Have a look" and see what they find and them still be objective hahaha!
Would you reccomend doing a partial teardown myself? I have been reading about it and there seems to be sevweral schools of thought, and alot of people do take it on themselves. I have a complete shop, have done a few motors, took apart a few 3 and 4 speed manuals and reassembled them in trade school, and rebuilt a few rear differentials, but Ive never done an automatic tranny or a more modern standard tranny. Seems more cost effective if it get it right, but my experience tells me it would be more expensive if I didn't get it right.
Sometimes it just nicer to have done it yourself when it finally works though
You can take the tail housing off and there are 2 magnets at the bottom. How much stuff is stuck to them is a good clue on what the inside is like. If you do this with the trans standing up on the bell housing. It's easy to take off and after you clean it up only need some black RTV to re-seal it.
Nothing should fall out or get out of place as long as the trans is standing up. You will have to drive out the roll pin on the shifter cup mount but that's the only thing other than the few bolts to hold it together.
Here is a link to a place I used to put a gear mount for the cable drive speedo if your '84 needs it. It also has a link to the overhaul manual for the trans... http://t56cablespeedometer.com/t56-c...ve-conversion/
First I will start by stripping the donor car and i would like to check in with all of you fine folks to see if there are any useful parts I am missing that I can use and might be a worthwhile upgrade while I'm in there:
