92rs85berlintta

iTrader: (1)

I have finally installed my t56 in my car and something is not right. I have a spohn tq arm with t56 mount and i cant get the transmission to work with it. It seems like the transmission is too far back to line up properly with the mount. It keeps hitting on the tail shaft almost like the mount isn't the correct mount. In order to make it work i would have to grind some of my tranny tail shaft off or something. Has any one else seen this on ls1 tranny swaps?

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

What did Steve say when you called or e-mailed Spohn?

jayk2k3

iTrader: (2)

ls1 wont work!

92rs85berlintta

iTrader: (1)

Ls1 what wont work? The ls1 tranny works fine, its the tq arm x member mount that I think is wrong. I got it from herron performance (great seller) so im going to get in contact with them today.

I called and they said I had the corect mount. If anyone else has done this swap what did you use for a x member?

92rs85berlintta

iTrader: (1)

Ok, thanks for your help guys. I hacked up the spohn x member mount and then reinforced it to work. Somone needs to make an adapter for this swap. I can see it getting more common as time goes on. Its a easy swap minus the x member headache.

87zjeff

iTrader: (4)

the ls1 t56 is longer than the lt1 t56. that's why you had the problem.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

It is only the input shaft that is longer if i can remember correct.

92rs85berlintta

iTrader: (1)

Thats no problem, spohn makes a mount for that. The problem starts when you put a ls1 t56 on a sbc, it makes it even farther back. They told me the t56 mount for the lsx swap and the lt1/t56 swap was the same.

87zjeff

iTrader: (4)

lol....that was what i was saying. why did you use the LS1 t56 anyway? just curious.

no, the LS1 t56 is 1 to 1.5 inches longer than the LT1 t56.

92rs85berlintta

iTrader: (1)

I used a ls1 tranny for a few reason. It was like brand new and cheap and I plan on doing a twin turbo lq9 swap when the lt1 dies. I kept the bellhousing for the ls1 so it will make the lq9 swap allot easier.

online170

Just going to revive this thread because im in the market for a swap over the winter.

I have a Gen I SBC, so your telling me the LS1 tranny will work, but NO ONE makes an aftermarkte x-member for it?

My fab skills are limited so this wouldnt work for me.

Did you have any issues with using the drive shaft and torque arm? ie: will a factory 3rd gen stuff work with the LS1 T56?

92rs85berlintta

iTrader: (1)

You would need to make a crossmember and you need a shortened drive shaft. The torq arm would need to be shortened as well unless you use a spohn piece. I just modded the spohn x member tq arm setup and it was fine.

online170

pix of the finished product?

92rs85berlintta

iTrader: (1)

Nope, I didnt really messs around getting pics I just wanted to get it done. Maybee next year when i work on the car some more I will snap a few. Its 2 hours away from were I live so its hard just to walk out and take pics.

87zjeff

iTrader: (4)

just get the lt1 t-56 and don't worry about it. the lt1 t-56 uses your current driveshaft and sphon makes the crossmember. you will not have to hack or shorten anything if you use the lt1 t-56.

online170

Yea i hear ya, some times its just too frustrating to take pix.

And jeff, easier said than done.... Got any leads?

87zjeff

iTrader: (4)

lol....i hear ya. i took an ls1 version and converted it to an lt1 version.. still have the ls1 stuff.

MedVader

Hey 92rs85berlintta, what about the shifter cutout and the torque arm?

Do you have open up the cutout for the shifter?

And will the stock torque arm bolt up?

92rs85berlintta

iTrader: (1)

I had to cut the shift hole back about an inch. The factory torque arm might not work. I'm not really sure as i have a spohn x member mounting arm that works after i modded the x member.

MedVader

Would this be it?

http://www.spohn1.com/?action=product&pid=1220

or somethig different? I know you used a modded LT1 x-member but did you get their torque arm too or mod the stock one.

Is this a worthwhile piece to get at $400?


At the very least I know I need this.
http://www.spohn1.com/?action=product&pid=1218

92rs85berlintta

iTrader: (1)

What engine and transmission are you swapping? a sbc with a ls1 tranny or ls1 engine and tranny swap?

The first link the $400 one is the same setup I have, however I had to hack the tranny mount up and reweld it to get it to work. The best option is to make your own out of the stock then try to use a stock tq arm. The bad part is, It might not work. Or do what I did and hack up the $400 spohn piece. I was thinking about taking the one I hacked to a local shop and having them make me about 10 more so I could sell them to people who do this swap. Its really the only swap that theres no bolt on parts for. I didn't cut the spohn TQ arm just the x member.

I used the spohn

MedVader

I'm sticking with the TPI sbc. I'm just interested in seeing what the difference in cost will be for an LSx T56 vs the LT1 version

As best as I can figure this is what is required.

T56 tranny,bellhousing,clutch
McLeod adaptor plate
extended pilot bushing
Spohn x-member and/or torque arm
Shortened driveshaft?

And speedometer adaptor? Dakota SGI-5 or not needed?
LS1 master/slave hydraulics?

92rs85berlintta

iTrader: (1)

yea, its a pretty easy swap. If it wasn't for my spohn x member hacking, it would be as easy as bolting in a t 5.

you can use third gen bell, hydrolics, pedals and clutches.

There has been some back and forth post on driveshaft length. I ended up shortening mine after all. I cant remember the amount, but its easy to have done and wasnt that much.

make sure when you install the transmision into the pilot you dont hit it with a hammer to seat it or wiggle it around allot with the input shaft in it. The pilots break as easy as glass, also make sure the lip faces out. It looks like its supposed to go into the crank snout and it fits good too, but its supposed to face out. another piece of advice is to make sure you use the correct bolt holes on the adapter. You can use the adapter to put a ls1 t56 in a ford mustang too. If you use the wrong holes the tranny sits sideways. You will need to find special bolts for it as well that dont come with it. You can pick them up at a fastenal store or online.

For my speedo im using my lt1 pcm. You would need a dakota box.

I think i paid....
$800 trans
$40 adapter
$200 plate
$100 drive shaft cut and balanced.

The spohn TQ arm and mount is optional and i had the t5 bell housing and stuff already. If you wanted to try to save a few bucks you could try to mod the stock tq arm and x member first. If you dont have a t5 already the lt1 t56 is cheaper.

87zjeff

iTrader: (4)

quick question 92rs85belintta, how do you reuse the t-5 hydraulics with an LS1 t56? they have different throwout bearings. is this some mod done by the Mcleod adaptor plate?

92rs85berlintta

iTrader: (1)

Yes, the plate is used between the t5 bell housing and the tranny. It uses all the t5 bell housing and hydraulics.

MedVader

LSx T56 x-member $115

http://www.spohn1.com/?action=product&pid=1218



LSx T56 x-member with adjust. torque arm $395

http://www.spohn1.com/?action=product&pid=1220



I just got a reply from Spohn saying the stock torque arm will bolt up just fine. So this LSx T56 swap just got a whole lot cheaper. I only need the $115 x-member.

92rs85berlintta

iTrader: (1)

I will be honest with you spohn has no idea what will and wont work, they told me that on the phone. The swap is rare and they dont make swap mounts for it yet.