Bbc & T-56
 

I know this has been talked about a little but I have some more specific questions and I wanna address some problems that us BBC guys face with a T-56 Swap. The thing I wanna help us find a solution for (maybe this has already been done) is the clutch problems we face when using the LT1 style Bellhousing.

Biggest issue - Small pull style clutch from the LT1 style T-56

I know D & D makes a kit you can buy from them to do the Viper T-56 Swap to a BBC which uses the bigger style clutch & PP. It looks like they just use an adapter. Here's a link to an install of there kit by Chevy High Performance...
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...ion/index.html

Do they already make this same adapter/kit for using an LS Style T-56 with a BBC. If so, then we can just stop here...but if not...

I've been contemplating doing the same thing with a LT1 Style b/h to accommodate the longer LS1 style input shaft giving room for an internal slave. Would this solve the issue or is the LT style b/h just not big enough to accommodate the 12" Clutch?

If that's the case could I just use the larger/longer LS Style b/h up to my BBC. I thought I read somewhere that the bolt patterns are not the same but the differences are minimal. Is this the case? I really don't wanna break down and drop $500-$750 on a McCleoud unit, as I don't need the SFI rating, I just want to use the easy to find, higher TQ rated 12" Clutches that the LS guys use. Sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to get all of this right in my mind before I start just throwing money at this thing.

Sorry for all the newb questions, hopefully someone else can benefit off of all this leg work I've already done and we can all save a little time and money.

I considered just avoiding the headache and going with a Magnum Kit from American but at over $5k, I can't justify it.

What exactly is the problem?

You don't think there is a an LT1 style clutch that can handle BBC power?

that seems to be the issue that the other guys that have done this swap have. I think being in a big heavy truck doesn't help it either. Do you know of a clutch setup, that's still very streetable, that can handle 600 RWTQ in a 4200lb sled?

What clutch were they running and had issues?

On my Chevelle, I used a McLeod twin disc set up. They claim it'll handle 1200hp or so, so I figured it could handle my 496, :) .

I didn't have the car long enough to really test it much. It felt and left like a stock unit IMO, no drama.

The damn thing cost like $1400 bucks though.

I'd look and see what SPEC, Centerforce, Fidanza, and Hayes has to offer. I know they all make a flywheels for T56 to sbc/bbc.

That's the other thing $1400 on a clutch that I plan on driving several times a week. I dunno if I can do that. Have to think about long term, what happens when I have to replace it, how long does that last. I will check with those other guys and see what they offer. I just seemed like a simpler option to conver to the LS style clutch.

What makes the LS style better? Is there more clamping force?

From what I can tell, they're both 11" Correct?

No, from what the guy at Texas Drivetrain told me, the LS style is 12" clutch. Also the LT clutch is a "Pull" type clutch , as opposed to a push style, which hinders it quite a bit also.


Found a thread on Chevelles.com talking about this same thing. Apparently you can use the LS style bell with a .5" Spacer (made by McCleoud ~$150), and your good to go. Looks like all my problems have been solved, :)

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=376509

Sounds good. :thumbsup:

So with that spacer, all the stock fitting LS1 trans stuff will work?

I still have the McLeod bell I used on my 454/T56 that I'm no longer using since I'm going LS. If your interested I'll make you a deal on it. It does still have the spacer ring.

Kerry

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