96 Corvette T56 Swap?

**Paulster2** · 07-02-2013, 07:17 AM

Has anyone done the swap in an LT1 Vette? Much harder than a Camaro? Just curious ...

**Featherburner** · 07-02-2013, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by Paulster2

Has anyone done the swap in an LT1 Vette? Much harder than a Camaro? Just curious ...

96 vette never had a t56.

**Paulster2** · 07-02-2013, 11:47 AM

Ummm ... What would the 6speed in the 96 have been then? It didn't run off of a transaxle ... was it a ZF? And you still didn't answer the question ... I guess I should ask this question on a Vette board.

EDIT: And so it is the ZF! I see it was also only available behind the LT4 in the Grand Sport ... But, as I said, it doesn't answer my question. Like most entrepreneurial type people, if one wanted to put a T56 behind the LT1 in a Corvette, what problems would you run into. Looking online, I see you can get a ZF with bell housing for around $1500 which puts it commensurate with what a T56 would cost, so no real advantage there. I am just running stuff through my head. I am not a purest ... I don't care if a Corvette stays "pure" or not. I am just wondering about this.

***popo8*** · 07-02-2013, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by Paulster2

Ummm ... What would the 6speed in the 96 have been then? It didn't run off of a transaxle ... was it a ZF? And you still didn't answer the question ... I guess I should ask this question on a Vette board.

EDIT: And so it is the ZF! I see it was also only available behind the LT4 in the Grand Sport ... But, as I said, it doesn't answer my question. Like most entrepreneurial type people, if one wanted to put a T56 behind the LT1 in a Corvette, what problems would you run into. Looking online, I see you can get a ZF with bell housing for around $1500 which puts it commensurate with what a T56 would cost, so no real advantage there. I am just running stuff through my head. I am not a purest ... I don't care if a Corvette stays "pure" or not. I am just wondering about this.

I know @94Blackbird is moding to put a zf in his fbody... He may be able to tell u the differences.
Sorry i do not know the answer..but Morris is pretty knowledgable.

Co-Owner/Admin @ LTXtech.com

**94Blackbird** · 07-03-2013, 05:05 AM

Ok, the biggest problem you are going to run into is the rear transmission mount and the front mounting point for the corvette's torque arm. Also the t56 shifter is mounted along the centerline, where the ZF shifter is off set to the left. I'll see if I can get some pics to show you the differences if you like when I get home.

I've heard of it being done, but not without some hassle and custom fab. The big issue is going to be the "torque arm" mounting point (vettes have 2 bolts that run through the trans cases in the stock configuration on the right side). The easiest route is going to be to find a ZF trans to swap in, as everything will line right up and the prices on ZF's are pretty much the same as a T56, plus you are getting a superior transmission to boot.

Also the ZF s 6-40 was available in all 89-96 corvettes as the manual transmission option. There are 4 different versions, the black (early) and blue (late) tag trans, and the L98/LT1/LT4 version and the LT5 version. LT5 version has a longer inputshaft, and has been used to mate this trans to an LSx platform engine.

**Paulster2** · 07-03-2013, 11:43 AM

Very good information. I'm thinking mounting (in all of your situations) would not be a big issue. I have a welder and am not afraid to use it

I am also wondering if a Magnum T56 would be a better option as far as getting a better shifter fit. The Magnum can use several different mounting positions and there is also a plate available which allows side to side positioning.

Mind me, all of this at present is more of a mental exercise. I may have the ability to obtain a 96, which an automatic. I guess it might be easier to trade for an M6 or maybe for a Camaro M6. I'm very fond of the standard shift, so just curious.