What transmissions are you using?

[sittingaaron]

Looking into a V8 LS swap, curious what people are doing for transmissions. I know the best choice would be a T56, but has anyone looked into a T55?

Maybe there's another good option I don't know about, any info is appreciated.

[shiboujin]

GTO T56. I dunno jack about T55s though.

[jalopi]

Might be wrong but I'm pretty sure that's just a t5. If that's the case that tranny would not be happy

[iflytii]

TKO 600/600RR is another option. Slightly cheaper (new) than a T56, but difficult to find used. It's a bit lighter and smaller than the T56, but you obviously loose 6th.

My old T56, weighing in at 143.4 lbs! That's full of fluid with the yolk still inserted and the clutch hydraulics still attached.


TKO 600 RR, weighing in at 120.2 lbs with a Tilton bell housing (full of fluid, yolk inserted and hydraulics attached).

[sittingaaron]

Yeah, I think a T-55 is just a T5, but you think it would crack under 300-400hp? I had one in a Mustang and it never disappointed me around that level.

T-56 transmissions are so damn expensive, and I really could care less for the 6th gear, but the TKO doesn't seem to be worth losing a gear for that price difference.

I know some of these turbo E30s with Getrags are holding 400+, has anyone adapted one to an LS?

[jalopi]

It's not the horsepower you have to worry about, it's the very abrupt torque v8's put out.

t56's can be had used for a solid grand, were you trying to get something for less? keep in mind that you don't have to fuck with aftermarket hydro clutch setups with the t56, which is real nice.

[Wanganstyle]

anyone looked into the Aisin R154 gearboxes? Cheap, common, easy to find....yes

R154 was used by toyota and others; it can take 500-700++ rwhp if prepared properly


they are OEM GM 2wd 5 speed manual gearboxes used in Hummer H3, Colorado pickup, and also older Supra MK3 turbo and 1jzgte cars by toyota.

the r154 is about $100-450 @ pnp, ebay, local gm junkyard and there are aftermarket LSX bellhouses from advance adapters etc.

here is LS1+ R154 in a toyota supra MK3

http://www.jeeps-offroad.com/showthread.php?p=357796

adapter for jeep transmission (r154)

http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/adapters/engine_to_transmission/ax15/kit_gmax15.htm

Colorado GM 5 speed + bellhouse for LSX

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1484990-Pzary3233-s-e36-M3-LSx-Swap&p=21291377#post21291377

[e30_302]

We just got a T56, bell housing, clutch, flywheel, and pedals for our ChumpCar Camaro for $800. Deals can be found if you're patient.

[CLM21]

GTO T56. I dunno jack about T55s though.

Thought the fbody t56's shifters lined up correctly and the gtos did not?

[shiboujin]

I have an MGW shifter. You are correct IIRC.

[The Dark Side of Will]

NV3500 is cheap and strong... truck transmission, though.

The Mustang and Camaro T5's used with V8 engines are marginally survivable, but all the other T5's are basically made out of glass and paper mache.

The Getrag 265 has a separable bellhousing. If you have some fab capability, you may be able to adapt it to a Chevy bellhousing.

[iflytii]

It's not the horsepower you have to worry about, it's the very abrupt torque v8's put out.

t56's can be had used for a solid grand, were you trying to get something for less? keep in mind that you don't have to fuck with aftermarket hydro clutch setups with the t56, which is real nice.

FWIW, I've run Tilton (same as with my S52/tilton clutch) and Ram HD hydro setups on my TKO and have found them to be no more problematic than using the stock GM hydro TOB on my T56 - which never gave me an issue. Yes, you have to take a couple measurements to shim them on initial setup, but that's very simple to do. With the bell housings available for the TKO, you also have the option to do a mechanical setup if you really wanted. Space is tight but with a big enough hammer you could probably make that work.

Richmond also has a couple nice offerings to bolt up behind the LS. Last time I looked at pricing they were a tick higher than the Tremic stuff so perhaps they are out of budget but are certainly an option.

[iflytii]

The Getrag 265 has a separable bellhousing. If you have some fab capability, you may be able to adapt it to a Chevy bellhousing.

I gave serious consideration to using my 265 for another ls based project I was working on. I know there is a guy, I believe in Australia making bell housings, or adapters for the guys putting LS1s in their cobra kit cars - but they were pretty pricy. Unless you just happened to have the 265 laying around, it wouldn't have been worth it vs. just picking up a used t56. Now if you have one laying around, and can fabricate, that not a bad option at all...

[jalopi]

reasons why I really need a plasma cutter