About Us

bluesman · 12-25-2002, 09:01 AM

I'm sure this will appear to be a rather obvious question here to all the more knowledgable in the field, but what will it take for me to get to this? Will I need a certain block or adaptor kit etc??? I plan on using this in a 62 Bonneville one day. Would I be better suited if it can be done by going with a GM 6 speed or a Richmond???

bluesman · 12-25-2002, 09:01 AM

I'm sure this will appear to be a rather obvious question here to all the more knowledgable in the field, but what will it take for me to get to this? Will I need a certain block or adaptor kit etc??? I plan on using this in a 62 Bonneville one day. Would I be better suited if it can be done by going with a GM 6 speed or a Richmond???

PMDRACER · 12-25-2002, 01:23 PM

We are running a T-56 double overdrive in the EFI car right now. I'll tell you - it's a blast to drive!
Go to the link on our website (www.tigerefi.com) to see how we did it:FAQ - TIGER EFI

If you have any questions, email me directly from the link on the PY site. The bunch of fools that are hosting our site are screwing us around, and our email has not been working consistently for at least a month. After the holidays we'll be moving our site to a different host.

TIGER EFI - Electronic Fuel Injection for the Traditional Pontiac Engine. [email protected]

shovelrog · 12-25-2002, 01:28 PM

See Feb.2000 High Perf.Pontiac.They have an article on a 1966 Grand Prix with a 455 and a borg warner Gm T-56 six speed adapted into it.It say's it was installed with a Lakewood blowproof bellhousing and block saver plate.
You might try searching their web site I believe it's www.highperformancepontiac.com
If you can't find the article I could try to scan it and e-mail it if you like
[email protected]

smokem if you got em

Trev · 12-25-2002, 03:15 PM

I have a T56 behind my 455 (462) in the Formula. I bought the aftermarket version, and had to redrill the holes in the adapter plate to rotate the trans about 13 degrees (I think). It was worth the trouble.

andrewb70 · 12-25-2002, 10:05 PM

Seems that a few people are getting the T56 behind their Pontiacs. The other 6spd to consider is the Richmond. Its a very easy swap. It will simply bolt on to a regular bellhousing. The clutch and clutch linkage will remain the same. The trans crosmember will have to be moved back a little bit. To me it seems that this is a much easier swap then the T56, since you do not have to figure out how to make the hydraulic cluth release work.

Andrew

Project GatTagO

PMDRACER · 12-25-2002, 11:21 PM

FYI -
The T56 does NOT use the hydraulic release. It's a mechanical release just like stock, using all the stock GTO parts.
See the link I posted earlier for the details.

TIGER EFI - Electronic Fuel Injection for the Traditional Pontiac Engine. [email protected]

rpmalone · 12-26-2002, 02:49 AM

For those of you running 6 speeds behind your Pontiac engines, what are the ratios for the various gears and are you happy with the spread (or rpm drop between gears)?

I've been considering going with a richmond 5 or 6 speed and have been tinkering with ratio combinations but would like to hear from those who have actually done it.

Thanks for any info

Mr_GTO · 12-26-2002, 03:58 AM

http://www.swarrauto.com/

If you don't want to deal with the applications of the T56 or the Richmond, this place sells some Tremec TKO's that are a direct replacement(for the most part) of a Muncie.

------------------------------
I am looking forward to walking to work

bluesman · 12-26-2002, 05:31 AM

All of these replys are very encouraging!! I will weigh the pros and cons of all possibilities but will not be able to really put into motion any of them until I obtain a body to start with. What ever the case, Im sure I'll be hunting down the linkage as I doubt I'll be able to find a Bonneville that is already equiped with it. As Im considering a daily driver with a trot to work in excess of 40 miles one way, would anyone advise on me going with the lowest ratio OD in say a Richmond? Perhaps they do not apply to Pontiacs but I thought I seen one with .62 for its 6th gear.

Trev · 12-26-2002, 06:06 AM

I bought my T56 about 4 years ago. As I recall, the Richmond at the time was a single overdrive giving a .78 or thereabouts 6th gear ratio. The T56 has a 2.96 first gear, a .84 5th and .62 6th. I can run a 3.55 final drive ratio and get an ideal 10.5:1 overall first gear, and an equivilant of 2.2:1 cruising gear.

FritzCat · 12-26-2002, 11:44 AM

I put a T56 in my car, it was simple but not easy. I had to really hack up the tunnel to make it fit. The thing weights a ton so a tranny jack is the practically a necessity. The stock clutch linkage works great, the speedo cable plugged right in. Other modifications necessary were shortening the driveshaft, installing a 26 spline clutch disc, moving the crossmember back and relocating the tranny mount perch, repositioning the ebrake cable, and modifying the exhaust to clear the repositioned crossmember. I works great, but I've moved to an area where I can rarely use 5th, much less 6th.

GS470 · 12-27-2002, 09:53 AM

I'm also considering a manual transmission conversion for my '72 LeMans, which currently has a TH350 in it. I'm in the process of building a 462 with a goal of about 500+ HP. I want something with an overdrive that will hold up behind this engine and was considering a Tremec TKO 5spd. There's some great links in this thread for me to follow up on, so thanks to those who provided the info.

If I go forward with this, one of the things I'll need to find is a clutch/brake pedal assembly to fit my car. Can I use the assembly out of any '68-'72 A-body car? Any help is appreciated.

'72 LeMans 2Dr Hardtop
455 +.030, TH350, 3.55/12 Bolt Rear
My first car, owned since 1980. Now in need of some TLC

Bigger is Better · 12-27-2002, 10:18 AM

Hi Trev,

Did you have to cut up or modify your tunnel on your bird to fit the T56?

Johnny
1980 455 TA
Autocross/Hillclimb
Powered by SD Performance
www.sdperformance.com

PMDRACER · 12-27-2002, 06:44 PM

Production T56 ratios:

Gear 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
Ratio to 1 - 2.66 1.78 1.30 1.00 0.74 0.50

Aftermarket ratios:

Gear 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
Ratio to 1 - 2.97 1.94 1.35 1.00 0.84 0.62

TIGER EFI - Electronic Fuel Injection for the Traditional Pontiac Engine. [email protected]

bluesman · 12-28-2002, 06:35 AM

The more I read about these T56's, the more I like them. Could someone maybe tell me what cars I could find them in now and what is considered the best for this swap? (Speaking in terms of year, model, etc...)
Thanks again for all your replies.

Blues

FritzCat · 12-28-2002, 10:55 AM

I wouldn't bother with a T56 out of a car, you have to do WAY too many modifications to make it work (although it CAN be done). The easiest way to swap in a T56 is to use the aftermarket version. Check this website for more info www.sallee-chevrolet.com/BorgWarner/bwt56.html

PMDRACER · 12-28-2002, 12:13 PM

Try here too:
http://www.nationaldrivetrain.com/

TIGER EFI - Electronic Fuel Injection for the Traditional Pontiac Engine. [email protected]

bluesman · 12-28-2002, 02:01 PM

I checked both of them out....very cool. I'll be getting a lot of info from them.

Thanks again.

Blues

Trev · 12-28-2002, 05:54 PM

Bigger is Better - I had to hammer the tunnel for a bit of clearance around the top of the bellhousing. You could cut it and weld it if that is your preference. I had this transmission in 3 different cars (All F Bodies - 72, 73 & 79), and the fit was different each time. One car needed no additional clearance at all.

Menu

About Us