Transmission options other than T56 for an LQ4?
09-21-2020, 09:08 PM
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Transmission options other than T56 for an LQ4?
I'm just starting to get into my first swap and can't figure out what all my options really are for transmissions.
I have a 2000 LQ4 from a Tahoe that will be going into my 86 Firebird that currently has the 2.8 with a T5.
What other options do I have besides a T56, if any? I've heard an Aisin AR5 is possible with a swap kit but they seem to have a bad rep.
There's 2010-2015 Camaro 6 speeds on eBay for days and they're a great price but I have no idea if I can make those work?
Any input would be appreciated!
I have a 2000 LQ4 from a Tahoe that will be going into my 86 Firebird that currently has the 2.8 with a T5.
What other options do I have besides a T56, if any? I've heard an Aisin AR5 is possible with a swap kit but they seem to have a bad rep.
There's 2010-2015 Camaro 6 speeds on eBay for days and they're a great price but I have no idea if I can make those work?
Any input would be appreciated!
09-21-2020, 09:32 PM
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Car: Resto-Mod 1987 IROC-Z Clone
Engine: Alky fed L92 Vortec Twin-Turbo 6.8L
Transmission: My own built/ design 4L80M
Axle/Gears: Custom 12 bolt (4.10:1)
Re: Transmission options other than T56 for an LQ4?
Traditional manual transmissions are sadly disappearing from the world...
The T56 and TR6060 are great transmissions ( and can be built for a decent amount of power).
They have gotten cheaper than they used to be.
Go for it!
The T56 and TR6060 are great transmissions ( and can be built for a decent amount of power).
They have gotten cheaper than they used to be.
Go for it!
09-21-2020, 10:11 PM
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Re: Transmission options other than T56 for an LQ4?
Thanks for the response.
The Gen 5 Camaro tranny's I see on eBay came from V6's but I really wonder if they'd fit?? I don't plan on racing this thing at all, just want it to be reliable and fun to drive.
I'd find it odd if a modern tranny from a V6 in 2015 wouldnt be built well enough to withstand 400ish HP, but I really don't know.
I did see some rebuilt T56s from Tick Performance, I think it was, for about $1900.
I really didn't want to spend that much but it may be what ends up happening.
09-22-2020, 08:36 AM
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Re: Transmission options other than T56 for an LQ4?
Keep in mind, the 2000 LQ4 is one of the oddballs with the weird length crank. Requires special treatment to mate the trans to it. Not a good choice for a fresh swap in 2020 especially with a manual trans.
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09-22-2020, 12:05 PM
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Car: Resto-Mod 1987 IROC-Z Clone
Engine: Alky fed L92 Vortec Twin-Turbo 6.8L
Transmission: My own built/ design 4L80M
Axle/Gears: Custom 12 bolt (4.10:1)
Re: Transmission options other than T56 for an LQ4?
LOL! 
It was not a weird length crankshaft...
It was a dimensional carry-over from the Gen. I engines with a 1-piece Rear-Main Seal...
So ideally, if using a T56 or TR6060 that was intended for a LS (Gen III/ IV) engine...
the crankshaft should be replaced with one that uses the more common "Thin-Flange".
It was not a weird length crankshaft...It was a dimensional carry-over from the Gen. I engines with a 1-piece Rear-Main Seal...
So ideally, if using a T56 or TR6060 that was intended for a LS (Gen III/ IV) engine...
the crankshaft should be replaced with one that uses the more common "Thin-Flange".
09-22-2020, 01:26 PM
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Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: 4.8 LR4
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 Bolt
Re: Transmission options other than T56 for an LQ4?
It's weird in the fact that all the other LSx engines don't have the crankshaft flange extended an extra .400" past the seal. They only did it for two years and it makes a difference when you start assembling stuff
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09-22-2020, 04:17 PM
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Re: Transmission options other than T56 for an LQ4?
Zackly: in LS world it's WEIRD. 
Which means it's REAL TOUGH to bolt other LS stuff (like transmissions) to it.
I'd re-think this if I were you. LQ4s are plentiful and cheeeeep. Not worth putting yourself through 97 different levels of Hell over that. You'll probably spend more working around the oddballness than a whole other later-model LQ4 - or maybe even LQ9 - would cost. Sell it to somebody with a 99-2000 truck and move on.
Which means it's REAL TOUGH to bolt other LS stuff (like transmissions) to it.I'd re-think this if I were you. LQ4s are plentiful and cheeeeep. Not worth putting yourself through 97 different levels of Hell over that. You'll probably spend more working around the oddballness than a whole other later-model LQ4 - or maybe even LQ9 - would cost. Sell it to somebody with a 99-2000 truck and move on.
09-22-2020, 06:48 PM
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Car: Resto-Mod 1987 IROC-Z Clone
Engine: Alky fed L92 Vortec Twin-Turbo 6.8L
Transmission: My own built/ design 4L80M
Axle/Gears: Custom 12 bolt (4.10:1)
Re: Transmission options other than T56 for an LQ4?
Guys...
Swap the crankshaft out for one with the Thin Flange.
These parts used are incredibly inexpensive to buy... and even new aftermarket parts are very reasonable.
I build all types of GM engines here... Hundreds of them every year.
If you are broke; grab another crankshaft from the junkyard and have it cleaned up.
That might cost you $100.
Not a big deal!
Swap the crankshaft out for one with the Thin Flange.
These parts used are incredibly inexpensive to buy... and even new aftermarket parts are very reasonable.
I build all types of GM engines here... Hundreds of them every year.
If you are broke; grab another crankshaft from the junkyard and have it cleaned up.
That might cost you $100.
Not a big deal!
10-01-2020, 06:06 PM
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Car: 1982 Z28
Engine: LC9
Transmission: AR5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Transmission options other than T56 for an LQ4?
Check out this writeup about someone doing an Aisin AR-5 in a 1986 Monte Carlo SS with an LS:
https://www.onallcylinders.com/2019/...smission-swap/
The transmissions are fairly cheap used and seem like a good "budget" alternative to a T56 if running a mild LS and you don't care about overdrive. I've been mulling over picking up a used one just in case for my car with a T10 and a 5.3.
Pat
https://www.onallcylinders.com/2019/...smission-swap/
It turns out that Aisin, the manufacturer of the AR5, also made the R154 transmission (for the Toyota Supra), which can handle quite a bit of power. The AR5 is very similar in function and design and can be thought of as an upgraded and improved Toyota Supra transmission. After looking up the price of an AR5 from a Chevy Colorado at my local LKQ, I thought it might be a very real possibility.
I also researched real-world examples of the AR5 taking some abuse. The first thing that I sought was the insight of Matt Grunwald, the owner and operator of FABbot. He said that he had swapped an AR5 into an LS-powered RX7, and was making high 11-second passes with 1.6-second 60-foot times on slicks until the stub axle broke.
In efforts to find the limit of the AR5, the team at FABbot have built a turbo LS, AR5-equipped Colorado with the goal of nine-second quarter-mile passes. So far traction issues have been his biggest issue in making that goal. The AR5 held up to 800-plus horsepower dyno tests, but broke third gear on slicks at the track.
I also researched real-world examples of the AR5 taking some abuse. The first thing that I sought was the insight of Matt Grunwald, the owner and operator of FABbot. He said that he had swapped an AR5 into an LS-powered RX7, and was making high 11-second passes with 1.6-second 60-foot times on slicks until the stub axle broke.
In efforts to find the limit of the AR5, the team at FABbot have built a turbo LS, AR5-equipped Colorado with the goal of nine-second quarter-mile passes. So far traction issues have been his biggest issue in making that goal. The AR5 held up to 800-plus horsepower dyno tests, but broke third gear on slicks at the track.
Pat
10-03-2020, 06:46 PM
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Car: Resto-Mod 1987 IROC-Z Clone
Engine: Alky fed L92 Vortec Twin-Turbo 6.8L
Transmission: My own built/ design 4L80M
Axle/Gears: Custom 12 bolt (4.10:1)
Re: Transmission options other than T56 for an LQ4?
Honestly for what they are (AR5 Transmission), not a bad unit at all.
Very inexpensive for a "near stock power-level" LS build.
My biggest issue with these transmissions is the gearing...
The unit has very "wide-spread" ratio gearing and...
Very aggressive 1st and 2nd gears, that will too easily allow the tires to be over-powered via torque multiplication.
With 400+ HP, 1st and 2nd gears would be wasted due to traction issues.
Other than that, it is a nice inexpensive and small transmission.
Very inexpensive for a "near stock power-level" LS build.
My biggest issue with these transmissions is the gearing...
The unit has very "wide-spread" ratio gearing and...
Very aggressive 1st and 2nd gears, that will too easily allow the tires to be over-powered via torque multiplication.
With 400+ HP, 1st and 2nd gears would be wasted due to traction issues.
Other than that, it is a nice inexpensive and small transmission.
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