T-56 in 79 Z28

[Crosby]

My son is putting a T-56 six speed behind his 350 (not an LS), and has bought the Detroit Speed hydraulic clutch master cylinder bracket, and a GM clutch master and slave cylinder. It appears some people have drilled entirely though the firewall to mount the clutch master to the Detroit Speed bracket, is this necessary? Also, it seems the directions advise to weld the bracket to the firewall. I'm wondering how necessary this is as well. Lastly, the stock (pushrod?) from the master cylinder to the clutch pedal itself is apparently supposed to be cut, shortened, and welded back together. Has anybody else done this? Any advice, words of wisdom, notes of caution? It doesn't appear that the pushrod comes out of the master cylinder, but I imagine it must? Thanks very much for any help you all can provide!

 

[badazz81z28]

You just need a hole for the rod to travel through. I recommend welding the bracket, it’s just sheetmetal and it will flex on you. I wish the bracket I have was still made, 100% bolt on.

 

[black_aerocoupe]

It comes out.

The stock pushrods are sometimes less robust material than ideal. A pushrod kit from Speedway can come in handy. Honing a bronze bushing to match the rod end to the pedal stud finishes the job.

 

[AK99]

I welded me DSE bracket to the firewall. I did this for two reasons. More rigidity and easier to seal the engine compartment side from the interior side.

I cut the original GM pushrod, threaded it 3/8x24 and put a rod end on it for adjustment.

 

[AK99]

Pictures:

 

[72BIGBLOCK]

I believe mine was a bolt on too
I got it from speed tech

 

[John Wright]

I used a kit from American Powertrain....all bolt on, plenty of adjustment with the rod to the pedal. I don't even have a pedal stop because I could adjust it enough to keep it from over extending the T/O bearing. I used the expensive McLeod's modular bellhousing and a Viper T-56 with a stock pedal assembly(my car was born an automatic).

 

[76z28]

I just bolted mine in. No flex that I can feel or see. I used a McLeod master(was 100 bucks plus resivor for another 20).
No issues with it so far

 

[Crosby]

Pictures:
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These are great thank you!!

 

[AK99]

These are great thank you!!

No problem! If you end up mocking up the whole setup on the bench like I did, be sure to add washers to account for the thickness of the firewall. It's actually fairly thick.

Also note, I had to space the clutch pedal over with a spacer so that the clutch master did not bind. I used an existing hole in the pedal and the geometry works out well for correct cylinder travel.