T56 6-Speed Question

Hey, I recently bought another B. Its a 92 2200 5 speed truck, it has an od school 350/TH350 setup in it right now. The previous owner never finished the project so I got it pretty cheap, with some extras to boot. The block and trans are test fitted in the car, but nothing is bolted down. The problem, or question, is that I'm going to be driving this truck roughly 80-90 miles round trip per day and I'd like to put an overdrive or stick shift in it. I first thought 700R4, but I'm partial to stick shift trucks. Then I thought about a T5, but they're kinda weak. Then the light bulb came on and said T56. The only thing is, has anyone done this before in one of these trucks? If so whats involved. What year trans would I need, how would I make the clutch hook up and work, the speedometer comes into play. As you can see I have a lot ahead of me , any help, questions, comments, or suggestions will be greatly appreciated! Thanks a lot in advance guys!!!

I would imagine that the T56 is going to be close to the same size (if not THE same size) as a T5, which has been done before. This will still require a custom driveshaft and transmission crossmember. If the bellhousing for the T56 works on your motor, then go for it.

You could buy a hydro conversion kit to attach a slave cylinder to the tranny and use flexible stainless braided line to your clutch master.

it all depends on what car you get a t56 out of...the dodge viper had a t56 for example...but if you get one from a camaro that already had the hydro setup then you should be good. Lets say a 2002 camaro that had the LS1. They had what i like to call a hydraulic throw out bearing. you should be able to get a different bellhousing for that tranny. and pretty much be good to go..Just run a line from your clutch master and call it good. You may have to get a master that moves more fluid to get the clutch to actually move as far as it is supposed to. Ran into this problem helping my freind put the ls1 in his 350z.

Here's a bit of information. Beware of the t56 from a 97 and newer corvette. I found one for a steal on craiglist from a 98 vette, it is a t56, but is bolted to the rear and can not be converted to bolt to an engine.

Here you can see what best fits your application:

As far as size, it's much more bulky just behind the bellhousing than a 5-speed, i'd say 99% chance you will have to modify the tunnel.

Well they covered the basis here lol, I'm going the oppisite way actually lol LSX motor and NV3500 trans in my hombre. All in all depends on the year and model you get but either way you go (excluding vette) it can be done, some just require more switching out parts or more aftermarket support. I personally did i my build so it was 90% gm bolt on and stock parts will replace anything i break on the truck.

As for a T5 being weak yeah and no, with a rebuilt one with some stang parts it'll handle more but the MPG won't be the same as a T56 Same as with my NV3500. It has a decent power hold(and rebuilt) but has a really short 1st gear, but a nice 3rd gear to make up for it. Plus it was from an s10 not a full size so it is a bit longer gearing


Wish i went T56 tho Next time for sure!

I am thinking early model T56. Maybe from a 94-96 LT1 car. They have the hydraulic mechanical clutch arm, correct? Or would it be easier with an LS1 based transmisson with simply the hydraulic throw out bearing? And either way, will my stock B clutch master cylinder move enough fluid to operate either system, and if not, what will?

Wow, you know the NV3500 is only rated to 300 lbft max? That wont last long unless you plan on soft footing that LSX all the time.

Not sure about the b cylinder moving enough fluid, but you could adapt the clutch cylinder from the doner car, or get an aftermarket pedal / cylinder assembly like from wilwood.

I'm well aware of its max hold, I'm also not the first guy to use on behind a lsx. This one is rebuilt currently and should hold fine unless i was drag racing the thing with hard launches and other parts will fail as well over time. I'll have 310hp and 330tq at the wheels with this setup(tuned). This is a body dropped hombre i plan on having some fun in tho, plus for 200$ i won't be out much. It was a 5.3 not an LS1 or anything so the HP/TQ ratings are already lower too after i put some goodies into it.

As for the b master i'm not sure on there flow or fittings/sizes =\ I'm new to the b scene honestly. On the hombre i went with an under the dash pedal assembly to clean up the firewall. nothing is really plumbed up yet. but you can use a stock setup off of (almost) anything gm that reasonable.

cool beans hombre, i have an nv3500 in my daily driver Dakota. It has made 50-60 passes down the 1/4, 30 of em with nitrous, im at 210k and it still shifts awsome. With the n2o it makes just about what your lsx package will. You should be just fine.

in my head, when i hear lsx i instantly think 600hp madness.