t-56 70 nova. Tranny tunnel question
 

Might be a dumb question but hey, Ill ask it anyway because this inquiring mind is getting very serious about dropping a t-56 in.

Anyway, i have a 70 nova with a th-350 and a small block chevy. Im working on a lq9 and t-56 swap. When i put the tranny in, does the tunnel have to be modified. Ive seen a few modified and my lack of fab skills puts this almost out of reach. Is it a true necessity to mod the tunnel to get this to fit?

thanks guys

jeff

YEP!
exact same combo, running no body mounts had to replace the tunnel all the wat to the trunk inorder to clear everything.

oooh, fun stuff! THank you though for the reply and the pic. Now i know i got some work cut out (pardon the pun) for me. I also saw on Billy Utley's nova he had redone the tunnel, but i didnt know if that was out of necessity or because he just be cause he can :D

I have the exact same combo in my 72 nova , and starting a ls1 t56 swap in my sons 71 Nova SS, yes you have to cut the tunnel out. Do not be scared, its just sheet metal , that is why they make welders and plasma cutters..On my son's car we are working on a swap the uses almost everything including the rack and pinion out of a 98 - 02 fbody. My goals is to have all the "hard parts" be a 100% bolt in, motor , trans and brakes are a snap , but the rack is going to require some more thought.

thanks for the reply! would you happen to have any pics of what you did when replacing yours or your sons tunnel?

thanks again,

jeff

I had to replace the tunnel in my 68 to fit a TKO600. I'm sure it's very similar to putting in a T56. When I got my trans kit from www.hurst-drivelines.com they included a new tunnel patch. I'm sure you can buy one from them if you don't have the tools to make one. It was an easy install. I have pics in my build thread if you want to see some. I still have some cutting to do around the shifter opening but it's all been welded into place. I'm going to use rivet nuts and make a panel to close the opening up even more.

Thanks mike, much appreciated. Ive admired your build for a while now. I totally forgot you had to cut up your tunnel. Love your car though and thanks for the reply
:thumbsup:

Sorry I do not have any pics of mine, I had the guy at the chassis shop make me a replacement tunnel out of sheet metal..My sons car we will do the same way