Re: Aftermarket T56 Information (Attn: Jon)

From: Jon Steiger (stei0302@cs.fredonia.edu)
Date: Wed Dec 23 1998 - 18:37:57 EST


At 11:47 PM 12/22/98 +0000, you wrote:
>Jon.
>
>The article appeared in Hot Rod/Car Craft Power Tips,
>Hot Rod Special Series. It's mainly a Chevy (what else)
>mag. It had on the cover...display until Oct. 26/98.
>I got it because it had an article on hacking on-board
>computers, even though it's oriented towards Chevys.
>The T56 article dealt with installing the
>aftermarket B-W T56 into a '81 automatic El Camino.
>
>
><<<Ok, so I take it from this that the version in the Viper is
>available only through Dodge, so the GM aftermarket is the
>way to go? Does anyone know anything about the input shaft
>issue? What does that mean, exactly? Would it help to
>replace the clutch with a dual friction centerforce at
>the same time, or does that not replace the housing too? Why
>is the length of the input shaft important in relation to the
>clutch?
> Also, when they speak about redrilling the bolt pattern, are
>they talking about adding additional holes to an already drilled
>adapter plate? If so, that seems to me like it would weaken
>the tranny?>>>
>
>
>The article certainly implied that the Viper version is considered
>an OEM. It stated that B-W was going after both Chev and Ford
>with the aftermarket transmission. B-W offers 2 versions:
>one for the GM cars and one for Mustangs/T-Birds. The Ford
>version is the simpler to install as it comes a complete clutch
>housing so all you have to do is to take off the old clutch and
>mount the new one in place. The article says redrilling the bolt
>pattern in the adapter plate that comes with the GM version does
>make it usable in a variety of applications.
>

   Do you know if there is any difference between the OEM version and
the aftermarket version? I assume the OEM version is set up to bolt
right into the Viper, but would one be stronger than the other? Be made
of diffferent materials? Have different gear ratios?

>The specific install required the Centerforce 10.5" dual friction
>clutch, along with a Centerforce flywheel, pressure plate and throwout
>bearing.

 I could handle that I guess. That's probably a good mod to have anyway...

>
>
><<<A used 6-speed out of a junked '93 or later Camaro/Firebird
>is about $700 while a new T56 is about $1,800.
> WOW!!! Is that US or Canadian??? That's about HALF what I had
>expected to spend! This is GREAT news! =) $1,800 for a new
>T-56... Droool... :-)>>>
>
>That's US.

   I hope they're right! I've seen T-56s for $2600 or so, but I haven't
found any for that low. Did they list sources at the end of the article? :-)

>
>
><<<The speedometer cable hookup is a major difference between the
>OEM trans and the aftermarket unit. A conversion kit exits
>but it cost more than $600.
> Are they talking about GM or Mopar here? Anyone know where
>and how the speedo cable hooks up on a '96+ Dak?>>>
>
>The kit is to convert a digital-signal trans to mechanical...
>i.e. reference was to the new F-cars being digital.

   Ahhh ok. So they had to do that because the el-camino needed
a mechanical cable I assume. Well, that explains why it costs
$600... Probably would need a little motor or something in there.
If it were me though, I'd probably buy a speedometer/odometer that
could take the digital signal and cram it in the el-camino dash.
Seems to me that would cost less than $600.

>
>
>The article is 4 pages long with pics showing installation
>into the '81 El Camino. If you want me to try to scan it
>in and e-mail it to you, it'll be long and large but it'll
>probably put everything in proper context for you.
>
>Let me know if you want it.
>

   Yeah, I'd really like to see that article, thanks!! If scanning
and mailing it would be a problem though, I'd be more than willing to
re-imburse you for photocopying and snail-mail.

   Speaking of magazine articles, I'd like to get as much information
about this tranny and this sort of thing as possible. The college here
has the "info-trac" periodical index, but its only for stupid boring
magazines. (i.e. no car stuff) :-P Anyone know of a way to search for
magazine articles, maybe an internet site or something?

                                               -Jon-

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