The Borg Warner T56 is the transmission found in '93 - '98 Camaros and
Firebirds/Trans Ams (F-body), '97 - '98 Corvettes (Y-body), and '91 - '98
Dodge Vipers.
The '93 F-body T56 has less desirable gear ratios, and is only rated at 350
lb/ft of torque, while the '94+ T56 is rated at 450 lb/ft. The Corvette
uses a different bellhousing.
I don't know whether there are any Ford applications. Don't know if it
will bolt onto an AMC bellhousing. Again, there may be a Jeep adapter or
bellhousing as there are many more special components and adapters made for
Jeep than AMC's. If it weren't for the availability of Jeep parts I would
think again about keeping the AMC engine. Hot Rodders do this type of swap
all the time. The main restriction Brickliners face is the lack of space.
----------
> From: Olenick, Jamison <Olenick@ssims.nci.nih.gov>
> To: 'Bricklin' <Bricklin@autox.team.net>
> Subject: RE: Transmissions
> Date: Friday, March 26, 1999 10:41 AM
>
> George,
> Is the T-56 a Borg warner product???
> I am a member of the AMC list and John Elle wrote a long email about
the
> conversion that he did on an AMX with a 390. He installed a T-5 from a
mustang
> because the T-5 bolts directly to the bellhousing from a 77 or newer AMC
donor
> car (that came with a T-4/T-5).
> So...will the T-56 bolt up dirrectly also. Then there would be no
problem
> except for the speedo.
> Have any ideas on a clutch. Would you use a new AMC clutch or would
you go
> with a GM/Ford (depending on trans). My impression was that an AMC
clutch would
> have to be used.
> John said that there was a small problem with the retainer bearing (i
think)
> that can be solved with a lathe or getting the one off of the donor car.
> Yes, a plate would have to be made to mount the trans, and the drive
shaft
> would have to be dealt with...
> I do think that the T-56 is a way better option but I am sure that
they will
> be high$ compared to 87-93 Mustang T-5's.
>
> Jamie
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: George Schiro [SMTP:gschiro@lni.net]
> Sent: Friday, March 26, 1999 10:26 AM
> To: Olenick, Jamison; bricklin@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: Transmissions
>
> Jamie,
>
>
> My mistake. I meant to say 93 or newer F Bodies ( GM - Camero etc. ).
> The 94 and newer have a wider ratio ( 0.5 to 1 overdrive ). Are you
> planning to use an AMC engine or the Ford 351 ( or other) ? A T56 will
> handle more torque than a Tremec.
>
> There are several options for a trans swap. One approach for manuals is
to
> get the bell housing, master/slave cylinder etc from the donor and have
an
> adapter plate made to go between the bellhousing and the block. This is
> preferred with the T56 as you should use just about everything from the
> donor. You might be able to retain the flywheel which simplifies the
> starter motor aspect. Sometimes you can redrill the block or bell
housing
> to accommodate the donor without an adapter. Another approach is to do
as
> you are suggesting and go with an AMC bellhousing and make an adapter
> between the bellhousing and the transmission. Have you tried a Jeep with
> an AMC 360 as the donor? However it is done, the alignment between the
> input shaft and transmission must be precise. If you don't know what
you
> are doing and don't have access to the right tool and gauges and a good
> machine shop, let someone else do the work.
>
> The main problem with the T56 is the electronic VSS speedometer signal.
> You need to either use a digital Speedo or get an electronic to
mechanical
> conversion kit ( they do exist). Which ever transmission you use, you
> will have to make up a new transmission mount. I suppose the best advice
> is to find out if anyone has done this successfully. A good source for
> this info would be the AMX list ( AMXfiles ). There is likely someone
> there who has tried a Tremec or T56 swap into an AMC.
>
> Another issue to consider is a new transmission usually means modifying
the
> propshaft and accommodating different yokes ( and splines). The usual
> approach here is to combine the donor and recipient propshafts. AMC
even
> suggested in their performance upgrade book to beef up the propshaft
> because the existing one was only marginal for higher than stock torque
> applications. They also suggest adding a second keyway to the
halfshafts.
> They suggest using the propshaft from the Rebel Machine, but a good solid
> truck propshaft makes more sense, especially if you go to a beefier rear
> end such as a Ford 9 inch or a Dana ( Spicer ) 60.
>
> If you are going to the trouble of swapping transmission and reworking
the
> propshaft, you might consider a Lincoln Versailles Ford 9" that has been
> discussed here previously as you can get disk brakes that way. The
> Bricklin is a heavy car and has really needed better brakes from the
start.
> The alternative is to install metallic brake shoes in the rear drums,
but
> the drums aren't very wide nor do they have good heat dissipation. I
don't
> know if anyone has installed wider, finned
> brake drums, but it is possible to do.
>
>
> Question: if you did do the Lincoln swap to disk brakes all around, would
> you need to remove the proportioning valve? Would the existing power
boost
> be sufficient to operate 4 wheel disk or would you need to swap in
> something like the Bendix system that is powered by the power steering
> pump?
>
> I am thinking of going with the AMC 401 ( an very solid motor and the
> smallest V8 package I have found that gives over 400 cid - important
given
> the restricted engine compartment in the Bricklin ). The motor will put
> out about 400 BHP and 440 FPT with about 9.25:1 CR. I'd like to use a
T56
> with a beefed up propshaft and a Ford 9" rear end with 4 wheel disk
brakes.
> Having lived in Europe for 10 years, I got used to driving with 6
speeds.
> You really feel you are driving!
>
> George Schiro
>
> ----------
> > From: Olenick, Jamison <Olenick@ssims.nci.nih.gov>
> > To: 'George Schiro' <gschiro@lni.net>
> > Subject: RE: Transmissions
> > Date: Friday, March 26, 1999 7:13 AM
> >
> > George,
> > What 82-92 F-Body cars are you refering to???? Sure...A T-56 would
be
> even
> > better....
> > I think that my main problem will be finding a 77 or newer AMC Donor
> car to
> > get the bellhousing, clutch and brake petals, cables, etc....i plan on
> taking
> > everything except the trans itself. I am guessing that with the cost
of
> the
> > donor car, trans, installation ( i am not going to attempt it myself),
> new drive
> > shaft, new clutch that I will be looking at ~$2000 or so.
> > My thoughts on the Tremec were that it is sold as a high performance
> > replacement for 5.0 Mustangs able to withstand 400lb/ft. (i have know
> some guys
> > to do some nasty things to them without breaking)
> > Everyone wants to talk me out of doing a conversion and just
> rebuilding the
> > 727 (for ~$800 (race quality)). I just think that I like 5 (or 6)
speeds
> that
> > much better ....mmmmmmmmm overdrive.
> > I am going to do some looking today to find a AMC Donor.
> >
> > Jamie
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: George Schiro [SMTP:gschiro@lni.net]
> > Sent: Thursday, March 25, 1999 5:33 PM
> > To: George Schiro; bricklin@autox.team.net
> > Subject: RE: Transmissions
> >
> > Why put in a T5 when you can put in a T56 6 speed in just as easily
and
> > cheaply? Pick one up from an '82-'92 F-Body. Just be sure to get ALL
> the
> > bits from the donor car.
> >
> > George Schiro
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