i am currently installing my t56 into my 1981 camaro. it is ready to go now hopefully sunday. just need to reconstruct the crossmember alittle
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/1981z28owner/100_0043.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/1981z28owner/100_0051.jpg
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http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/1981z28owner/100_0010.jpg

is that a quick change race trans?do you change it from the inside of the car?

is that a quick change race trans?do you change it from the inside of the car?

LMAO, I dont think it quite works like that!

is that a quick change race trans?do you change it from the inside of the car?

lol, it did make it so much easier getting to the bellhousing bolts.

just wish my oil pan could have more room so i could fit the bottom bolts in teh shatter sheild, but o well.

Allen bolts with washers will work better from the T56 to the adaptor plate. I use them with a wobble extension and it works great. I removed the ears that are in the last pic on both sides of the tranny and removed the bumper on the shifter housing to make extra room.

Allen bolts with washers will work better from the T56 to the adaptor plate. I use them with a wobble extension and it works great. I removed the ears that are in the last pic on both sides of the tranny and removed the bumper on the shifter housing to make extra room.

i have cut the 2 ears off. i will look at the bumper. the bolts i have worked when we did mockup, but i will see how they work, i may go and get allen heads for it.

i just need to do final torque on shatter shield.

i have cut the 2 ears off. i will look at the bumper. the bolts i have worked when we did mockup, but i will see how they work, i may go and get allen heads for it.

i just need to do final torque on shatter shield.


That's cool. I just tighten mine down with a long handle 3/8" ratchet. I used 1/2" long 1/2" bolt and grind the nut head to fit between the scatter shield and used a 3/8" bolt 1/2" long for the lower scatter shield holes.

That's cool. I just tighten mine down with a long handle 3/8" ratchet. I used 1/2" long 1/2" bolt and grind the nut head to fit between the scatter shield and used a 3/8" bolt 1/2" long for the lower scatter shield holes.

i may do that, need to see what i can. wish i thought of that before i tightened it all up. lol


Do you really think it is going to hurt at all? the sides and top have all the bolts so it wont get my feet all.

i may do that, need to see what i can. wish i thought of that before i tightened it all up. lol


Do you really think it is going to hurt at all? the sides and top have all the bolts so it wont get my feet all.


What flywheel are you running? I have a Hays 168T SFI Billet Alum that I'm thinking about using but it will kill my 60' times but for now I'm using a stock flywheel. I know it The Alum flywheel will work great on the street and on a Auto X course but there not to good for the strip. I would not worry about your feet with the Lakewood scater sheild because there made to contain the carnage when a flywheel lets loose.

Just make sure when you go to put it in... you do it with two people, and have someone push in the clutch pedal while you are pushing the transmission through the clutch. I fiddled around with my t56 for 6 hours, and was unable to get it in properly. Then I talked to someone who said "Push in the clutch while you are putting it in" and it went in first try.

Just make sure when you go to put it in... you do it with two people, and have someone push in the clutch pedal while you are pushing the transmission through the clutch. I fiddled around with my t56 for 6 hours, and was unable to get it in properly. Then I talked to someone who said "Push in the clutch while you are putting it in" and it went in first try.

thanks, i will try that when i put it in if it wants to fight me. lol

What flywheel are you running? I have a Hays 168T SFI Billet Alum that I'm thinking about using but it will kill my 60' times but for now I'm using a stock flywheel. I know it The Alum flywheel will work great on the street and on a Auto X course but there not to good for the strip. I would not worry about your feet with the Lakewood scater sheild because there made to contain the carnage when a flywheel lets loose.

i am using a stock 11in steel clutch from the 70's.

i am using a stock 11in steel clutch from the 70's.


You should be fine, just keep the RPM's low.

You should be fine, just keep the RPM's low.

i launch around 4500rpm adn shift at 6500

i launch around 4500rpm adn shift at 6500

Thats about what I'm doing.:)

i keep forgetting to ask this question.

how do you calibrate the speedometer? i will be going with a ultra lite electric speed later this spring.

i keep forgetting to ask this question.

how do you calibrate the speedometer? i will be going with a ultra lite electric speed later this spring.

I went to a GM dealer and bought the plug for the speed sensor and I wired it to my VDO speedo and went through the instruction book and the processes and ta da speedo works and I can readjust it to any gear or tire change.

the tranny is now in and all i need to do now is get the tranny crossmember welded then the tranny will be in place, then i can do all the metal tunnel work and get the driveshaft made.

new pics

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/1981z28owner/100_0071.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/1981z28owner/100_0077.jpg

Looks like ya got a shifter huh?

Looks like ya got a shifter huh?

all i have is the base. i do not have anything else for it. i need the handle and stuff. lol does your shifter have the handle for it? i dont want to mess with making my own.

Yeah I got the handle for it somewhere, just have to find it! I dont know if I still have the knob or not though, I will have to do some digging!

I am about to do the same thing to my 78RS. What info could you give me on the swap? I was told I will need to change out my flywheel and clutch. What kind of mods will I need to do to the tunnel?

Yeah I got the handle for it somewhere, just have to find it! I dont know if I still have the knob or not though, I will have to do some digging!

the knob i may not need if my t handle for my nitrous will fit on it.

ok it is just a black plastic ball if I still have it, nothing fancy at all! Are you running a console? If not I got a hurst shifter boot you can have to!

ok it is just a black plastic ball if I still have it, nothing fancy at all! Are you running a console? If not I got a hurst shifter boot you can have to!

i am going to run the newer style console. i might need the boot.

tranny crossmember done except for drilling 2 holes for mount

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/1981z28owner/Photo0050.jpg

http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/

http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/

their crossmember only fits 70-74 camaro. there is no t56 crossmember for 75-81 camaros

i got tranny crossmember done tonight, it is drying. hopefully get pics tomorrow. but by wednesday night i should have it bolted in and have tranny in official. then next week after my trip i want to get it buttoned up and drive it in about 2 weeks.

Sounds like you're getting close;)....I am keeping my eyes open for a T56 also...I'm holding out for one that came out from behind an LSX motor. I've watched several LT1 T56s go through on ebay in the past week for about $1250 - $1650 but no LS1 T56s..well there is one on there now, but it has a bent input shaft...I don't need that headache.

why you cut the floor like that!??!

why you cut the floor like that!??!

the t56 would not clear the floor.

funny cuz in mine it was perfctly clear...:rolleyes:

funny cuz in mine it was perfctly clear...:rolleyes:

which method did u use to mount it? newer clutch or the old mechanical clutch?

i also have not replaced body mounts yet.

its Spec Cluch Stage 3+ with 2 pumps and ats bracket

i used my stock 81 camaro bellhousing and adapter plate. see how it works.

I used Lt1 bellhousing

i finally got to work on it some. tranny is bolted in all the way and now have driveshaft on order. hopefully this weekend it will be driveable.

Sweet deal.

driving it around now. i got it all about done, just the floor is not done welding but is good for now and will enjoy it some then take carpet and console out to finish welding.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/1981z28owner/Photo0153.jpg