So you want a T56 6 speed?

[Hammer Head]

Here's a little info for swapping the T56 in your truck...
the 4.3, small blocks & big blocks all work w/ this trans. But you more than likely will need this flywheel to make it all work. http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=CTF%2D700107&N=700+0&autoview=sku. The T56 bolts right up w/ no flywheel hassles to the LT1's & LSx's & this flywheel is not needed. Since the S trucks came w/ hydraulic clutches from the factory it works well w/ the T56 slave cylinder. You may need to get a little creative to mount the camaro master or retro fit the camaro slave. If your truck came w/ a 700R4/4L60e you shouldn't have to do anything w/ the length of your driveshaft since T56's are the same length as those automatic trans. The speedometer is electrical so you may need to swap out your mechanical speedometer gauge to an electric type. If you already have an electric gauge disreguard this. The shifter handle will be in a different location from stock. If you have a console in a newer truck it will protrude from the cup holder area of the console. Here is a post with more detailed info http://www.s10planet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6420

[droopy89]

If definately gonna do that once i have some more power, or a different rear end. Could i just get one of these used from a 90s Vette or was that the T-5 or am i thinking of something else?

[Hammer Head]

The Vettes had a ZF S6-40 6 speed which was made in Germany. It is not interchangible w/ the T56 that was offered in later models & uses different parts. The T56 was used in F bodies from '93- on, Vettes from about '97- on & was even used in the Dodge Viper behind the 10 cylinder. Although the Viper T56 is set up slightly differently.. shifter is moved forward about 5 inches from the other units & the spline counts on the input & output shafts is different as well.

[Hammer Head]

Here's a site that talks about the ZF 6 speed. http://www.zfdoc.com/faq.htm

[Hammer Head]

Here's a helpful site about the T56 http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/6_speed.html

[LS1SLEEPER]

well what do i do about the 1st gen gauges? i guess just swap the stockers for some nice autometer electric gauges? i am getting everything together as we speak. i found a complete 93 T56 with the bellhousing and all for $1600 with a 90 day warrenty. but there is a $300 core charge. still $1900 for everything needed except hydralics aint to bad. they also have a 4x4 8.5" rear from an s10 with posi and 4.10s for $850 so i am buying that too. i am getting the pedals from an 85 from a guy on another S10 site. i just need to find a flywheel that will work for the app. OH also a clutch and PP

[Hammer Head]

That flywheel I said you need in the 1st post.. that's the one. It's sold through Summit & it's the cheapest I've seen anywhere. I bought that very same one about 5 or 6 years ago. It's good stuff. I'm sure you could swap in the later 1st gen gauges. I believe some time in '88 they switched over to the non-mechanical style. I think gauges from the astro work as well but someone else here can confirm or deny that. There's a good write up on how to do the gauges in the how-to section. You're going to have to rewire the dash for them.. but them you'd need to rewire the dash for the aftermarket gauges, too. Guess the only difference is the OEM stuff is plug & play.. aftermarket is all custom & could be time consuming if you don't know exactly what you're doing.

[extreme gmc]

is it actually possible to swap out a electronic auto trans (4L60E) for a manual T56? i always thought this wasnt possible without changeing ovet the ecm or at least a massive retune?

[Hammer Head]

For a 1st gen it's no problem. For a 2nd gen I don't know if you need to change the PCM or not. There's a lot less to plug in the T56 than the 4L60-E. The only thing I don't see on an automatics wiring harness is the skip-shift, which most of us wouldn'd want anyways. The T56 will physically bolt in place & I'm sure the PCM can read the VSS. I would say it's not a problem.

[nomaboy]

if you don't reflash the pcm you will get a bunch of transmissions trouble codes (ses light) cause the pcm wont see the trans "signals".

[962dr]

GM High Tech Performance magazine may 2007 has an interesting article on swapping a T56 into a 2001 Z28 Camaro with a 4L60E trans in it.Covers the wiring issues(minor) and they reflash with EFI live.A lot of this info should apply to late model S10s as well.

[TreasonAgainstCaesar]

Likewise, here is an article from Chevy High Performance (http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/48442_t56_transmission_swap_chevrolet_blazer_s10/index.html) that talks about swapping at T56 into a Blazer w/ an LT4. Pretty interesting write up w/ some other neat mods; it just sucks that the pics are few, small, and in b&w.

[87wildside]

I found a good thread (http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f13/t56-swap-list-everything-you-need-to-know-308268/) on doing this swap.

[ThomasRA]

Just wondering, Would this swap work on a 4x4?

My biggest gripe about the Blazers / Jimmys is that GM never offered the option of a manual trans on the 4-doors.

[Nickelin'Dimer]

Here's a good question: How 'bout doin' it on a 2.2L? I know, "Why do that if it's not needed?" is coming to your minds... So hear me out. Not all 2.2's came w/ 3-series gears. The towing package option (Like mine has) came with 4.10s and this makes a helluva difference side-by-side with otherwise similar S-trucks of only a few years difference in model as to performance & mileage (Re: Better). Now I remember awhile back an article that showed how-to put a T-56 in a 3rd-gen F-body that came with a T-5 by using a adaptor plate that bolted between the bellhousing & trans to clock it properly for the shifter hole. And well before that I've read about how Borg/Warner was working on a internal-rail 6-spd that was based in design upon the T-5 (This was later introduced as the T-56. See the resemblance?). I know the 4-cyl/V-6 model T-5's in the use lower ratios inside (3.36 first gear) and use an input shaft & clutch assembly that is the same as found on Quad4-mated transaxles (1" dia, 16 spline), but I don't know if the T-56 that was found in the V-6 4th-gen F-bodies (They did put 6-spd's in them, didn't they?) used the same input shaft & clutch as the 2.2/5-spd S-trucks. If they do, then how 'bout going that way w/ 4-series gears such as 4.10 or 4.33? Or better still if the shafts interchange between the V-6 & V-8 models, go that route with a V-8 T-56 & 4.33-4.56 gears? You might need to shift like Ronnie Sox (Re: Mr. 4-spd), but for serious performance builders & drivers here with 2.2s that maybe even turbo'd the use of so many gears of such close ratio could be desirable (Very). Plus, like I've said, the Tuu-tuu loves more gear. Especially out of the hole. And the double-overdrive's final ratio will allow the truck to still maintain the low-revs on the highway that are needed for good fuel economy without lugging-down the engine too much or causing slippage. If the right gear in the rear is used, that is. One of the two such routes I've suggested here might give it the advantage it needs so badly that for the most part got overlooked by most new buyers looking for a higher-economy model truck. So, how 'bout it? Could I get some feedback here on this, anyone?

[Hammer Head]

I don't believe GM put a T56 in any F body w/out a V8.

[Nickelin'Dimer]

Well, what about the T-45?

[Nickelin'Dimer]

Back again... Do the T56 & T-5 behind the V-8s use the same input shaft & support?

[Hammer Head]

Something to watch for when swapping parts between T5s is whether or not it's a WC (world class) or NWC (non-world class) T5.

I'd also just like to say I think I remember T56s being behind 60 degree V6s in F bodies.

[nothingleft09]

Gentlemen, i have a question for a friend of mine. He has a 98 Sonoma ext. w/ the 2.2L 5 speed. He wants to know if a 95 4.3L will bolt up to the 5 speed. He also has a 91 4.3L and wants to know the same about that. Need all the answers i can get. Thanks!!!

[Hammer Head]

Simple answer.. no.

4.3 uses the 90 degree bellhousing. Same as the SBC & BBC. 2.2 uses a different bellhousing.. could get an adapter plate, maybe, but then it's really not worth it considering the fact it's a trans designed for low hp & torque. I believe we've discussed this before & a search should have pulled something up.. maybe even starting your own thread about this would have been a good idea, too. Instead of cluttering up a thread dedicated to T56 6 speed conversions.. but then, that's just my opinion....

[trusconi]

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