The surgery has been completed... *pics*

[MaxHarvard]

... the T56 is in! I got to take it for a test drive last night and... wow... too much fun!! i couldnt resist hitting 6th gear... lol, yea, you need to be going faster than 65mph to make that gear not bog the motor down, hehehe.

parts:


i shot the car and pulled out its stomach



after struggling and cursing, it is in!


me very happy. i was actually quite dilerious from being so tired, haha.

[XcYZ]

That's great, Eric. Did you hit any snags? How did the exhaust fit with the new style crossmember?

[MaxHarvard]

Thanks Scott. Exhaust fit very well with the new crossmember. the ATS kit works very well and Tyler was helpful and very curteous to all my stupid questions.


Yea, i hit a couple snags that slowed me down a bit.

#1. I had the wrong starter, mine was too big and needed to get a new one.

#2. The crossmember from ATS is a great piece, its machined very well, too well... it too some wrestling to get it in.

#3. I made the mistake of grouding my (auto meter) tachometer when i started it up, i believe i blew it up... not sure until i can take it apart.

#4. It is very hard to lift a transmission on your back. heheh.

#5. The company i had shorten the driveshaft apparently didnt realize that i had wanted some suspension play in the driveshaft and had to redo it.... twice.

[XcYZ]

A few hiccups are to be expected. It's all part of the fun. lol

So how does it drive? What gears do you have in the rear and that's an LT1 style T56, right?

[130fe]

Did you have any problems removing the old tranny with the car on ramps in the front and jackstands in the rear (clearance wise)? I am going to do this swap after the PT.

[Mkelcy]

Originally Posted by 130fe

Did you have any problems removing the old tranny with the car on ramps in the front and jackstands in the rear (clearance wise)? I am going to do this swap after the PT.

Anyone who installs a T56 with the car on jack stands about 8" off the ground has my undying respect. Those suckers are heavy.

[MaxHarvard]

Originally Posted by XcYZ

A few hiccups are to be expected. It's all part of the fun. lol

So how does it drive? What gears do you have in the rear and that's an LT1 style T56, right?

It drives well, still trying to get used to the manual vs automatic, the steering wheel gets in my way, i'm 6'1", so that doesnt help.

i have 3.73's in the back... in retrospect something higher would be better... but still, too much fun! Yes, it is the LT1 version.

Did you have any problems removing the old tranny with the car on ramps in the front and jackstands in the rear (clearance wise)? I am going to do this swap after the PT.

No, not really, i had to angle it a bit on the way out, but it was fine. Just keep lots of oil dry next to you when you do it

Anyone who installs a T56 with the car on jack stands about 8" off the ground has my undying respect. Those suckers are heavy.

haha, yea it was heavy, i cursed a lot and got really really tired doing it. Of course comes the obligatory "i'm never doing this again"... then i realise, that i'm sure if i get psych'd enough, i'd do it again. HAHA!!

[rlplive]

Nice car man, I bet it runs really good with that t56. I have a few questions for you. I have an lt1 t56 sittin in my garage waitin to go in my 69. After you buy the ats kit, besides a shifter, a clutch and flywheel, and pedals what else do you need to buy? Did you have to buy a master cylinder for it? Thanks
Ryan

[Rybar]

Nice job, you will definately enjoy the T56. I just installed that new ATS cross-member and it has much better ground/header clearance.

BTW: Nice shirt

[XcYZ]

Originally Posted by Rybar

Nice shirt

Eric, was it white when you started? Lets see... red from the tranny fluid, blue from the paint... but not sure where the yellow came from.