Jake88maro

okay so i've finally got my 454 t5 up and runnin! (btw i would post pics but my computer says their inncorrect or somethin!) but by now i have realized that t5 isnt gonna last much longer. it is a wc t5 but still, no good. well i'm plannin on retrofitting a t56 with the t5 bellhousing. but i'd like to use a viper t56. but how would i do tha spline wise? like clutch plate and drive shaft wise?

85MikeTPI

iTrader: (2)

Throw this in google as a start:

site:www.thirdgen.org T56 BBC

A true viper T56 will need machinework done on the input shaft. I can get more specific if needed.

Jake88maro

yeah a scatterproof will be necessary for sure. could you elaborate some more about the machining aspect? and what clutch you would reccomend?

Jake88maro

yeah i would appreciate the info on machining the viper t56. and thay are rated for 800 ft lbs right?

85MikeTPI

iTrader: (2)

You might have to shorten the viper input shaft slightly and machine the pilot down. (Last one I did was shortened to LS1-T56 length, your application might not need shortening) Or You could machine down a Mopar pilot bearing to fit your BBC crank and use the viper t56 as is. It is also 26 spline, so GM clutches/disc will work.

The stock viper T56 is rated at 550lb-ft, over the 450lb-ft that F-body T56s are. The 700-800lb-ft ratings are advertised by rebuilders after adding all the upgrades to a stock T56.

You can buy a spicer 30spline 1350 yoke and fit it to you driveshaft, but the drive shaft would need shortened several inches.

Jake88maro

okay i think i understand what you sating, but let me get this straight the only thing that needs shortened is the pilot bearing part of the input shaft? or you could grind the pilot bearing down you said?

85MikeTPI

iTrader: (2)

If you use the adapter plate, I'm 99% sure you won't need to shorten it. The viper pilot is 0.750" in diameter, whereas the GM pilots are 0.590" so you'll need to machine the pilot diameter, or get a Mopar pilot bushing and fit it into your BBC crank.

I took some pics several years ago when I had both an Aftermarket-T56 and Viper-T56 in the shop, but I wasn't thinking far enough ahead to take precise measurements:

http://www.eecis.udel.edu/~davis/z28...4_ViperT56_web

The plate would start about 3/8" out from where I started to measure the length of the viper input, and the plate is 1/2" thick. That would put the tip of the viper out 7-1/4" from the face of the plate. The aftermarket T56 input tip is out 7" from the face of the plate.

Jake88maro

oh wow i see now. okay sweet a really appreciate all of this help! and you would recommend the upgraded t5 bellhousing? who makes a strong one?

85MikeTPI

iTrader: (2)

I like Quicktime. The lakewood is ok also, but you hear all kinds of stories of alignment problems.. You should check any of them for alignment though..

cuisinartvette

If you were to use a LT1 T56 McCleod makes a nice scattershield you can order through Summit. When they say direct bolt in its just that, no indexing nothing. More room than the stock bellhousing, love mine. Just a thought.
Quicktime also, much ligher I hear. Mines 38 lbs includes a block protector plate so if something happens you dont take that out. Options..

how much power are you putting out?

Protecting those feet legs and god knows what else is priceless only 1 shot at that.
Some say if youre using a billet FW youll be Ok but dont trust that, the clutch can break too.

Jake88maro

its got a stock rebuilt bottom end with a mild cam and stock heads. so maybe 280 hp about 380 ft lbs? not really sure. its a 1979 1 ton truck motor