bhays
Well-known member
I appreciate the advice on my engine build and would like to ask the opinion of those who have been there, done that as to transmission choice. I need to nail this down as I want to make the crossmember mods prior to having the chassis blasted and painted.
1982 'ish convertible conversion. VIN# is a 1982 but a lot of components weren't when I acquired it and I am making even more changes myself.
I had planned on going with a 700r4 and purchased the trans, crossmember, etc. to make all that work a number of years ago. I have now decided that I want to go with a manual, probably a six speed, but it's definitely not going to be a daily freeway driver, so realistically a five speed might be fine.
Engine will be a turbo tpi small block, from 80-85 chevy truck, 4 bolt main. Rear end is rebuilt with most of the good stuff, 3.54 ratio. The car was an auto, so I'm going to have to get the clutch, pedals, etc. no matter which way I go.
I do have the crossmember with dual exhaust cutouts, but I realize I will probably need to replace/modify that. The driveshaft is shortened for the 700r4 already.

Crossmember by bhays, on Flickr
My question is, what makes the most sense? TKO/T-56/???
My understanding is that a T-56 from a 93-97 fbody is more or less a direct swap for the 700r4? Would be nice not to have to have another driveshaft done..
I have located a T-56 from a 1997 30th Anniversary Z28 including the stock clutch at a very good price.. would that be a good way to go? I plan to sell my 700r4 (which is a brand new rebuilt with shift kit) and purchase the T-56.
These are the specs I found for the 97 camaro T-56:

Screen Shot 2014-02-03 at 11.02.02 PM by bhays, on Flickr
So, would this be a good choice? What would be a better one?
1982 'ish convertible conversion. VIN# is a 1982 but a lot of components weren't when I acquired it and I am making even more changes myself.
I had planned on going with a 700r4 and purchased the trans, crossmember, etc. to make all that work a number of years ago. I have now decided that I want to go with a manual, probably a six speed, but it's definitely not going to be a daily freeway driver, so realistically a five speed might be fine.
Engine will be a turbo tpi small block, from 80-85 chevy truck, 4 bolt main. Rear end is rebuilt with most of the good stuff, 3.54 ratio. The car was an auto, so I'm going to have to get the clutch, pedals, etc. no matter which way I go.
I do have the crossmember with dual exhaust cutouts, but I realize I will probably need to replace/modify that. The driveshaft is shortened for the 700r4 already.

Crossmember by bhays, on Flickr
My question is, what makes the most sense? TKO/T-56/???
My understanding is that a T-56 from a 93-97 fbody is more or less a direct swap for the 700r4? Would be nice not to have to have another driveshaft done..
I have located a T-56 from a 1997 30th Anniversary Z28 including the stock clutch at a very good price.. would that be a good way to go? I plan to sell my 700r4 (which is a brand new rebuilt with shift kit) and purchase the T-56.
These are the specs I found for the 97 camaro T-56:

Screen Shot 2014-02-03 at 11.02.02 PM by bhays, on Flickr
So, would this be a good choice? What would be a better one?