Hey Dave,
You drove mine - 400HP is nice. You'd probably appreciate the extra power
when hauling stuff on your 40 acres.


Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

If I had 40 acres I would have made a drag strip!

Funny thing about these trucks is really any more than 200HP isnt needed to make a fun driver.
That said I will put in the 400HP 383. I considered putting the SC on this engine but the compression ratio and cam just dont match up for boost, and rather than tear apart a fresh engine I will just run it as is. This truck is going to make a lot of noise.

Last decision, auto or manual trans?

 

Auto or manual is no decision....Manual of course.

 

Hey Dave,
We've got an AOD automatic in our's. I like the convenience but I wouldn't do it again. Just too hard to get right. I'd like to have the ability to down shift when needed when hauling or on hills.

I also think the manual transmissions are pretty much bullet proof.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

That two for manual..good enough for me, but the wife is not going to be happy since now she will not be able to drive it. I will have to build another automatic truck.

Going to the T56 means removing the 3:08 posi and putting in a 4:10 posi. The 4:10 rear needs brakes, so now going 4 wheel disc.

So now the title of this build thread is all wrong, and half the pictures are NG

Oh well maybe I will swap out to the SC engine in the future.

Think I can still get this thing on the road by June first? I have a lot of OT coming up for work so it is going to be tough, but I will try.

 

Sell the LTs and use the money for an LS 😊

 

LOL I have two here collecting dust, all aluminum LS1 with a T56 from a 2000 Z28 and an all aluminum LS1 with the 4L60E from a 2002 Z28.

Your point is?

 

My vote is lS1 4L60E

 

Not this time, for now they stay in the corner.

Wont be long until the 383 T56 goes in for mockup, have to change the pedals, trans crossmember, floor cut, etc..

 

Have T56 in mine. There are two versions, one with 5th, 6th OD and one with OD in 6th only, also a higher and lower OD ratios (0.62 OD 6th, or 0.5 6th) I have the 5,6 OD with 0.50 6th. excellent match with 3.70 rear axle IMHO. Used hanging pedals from Camaro with OEM T56 hyd clutch MC, spread pedal mount to straddle steering column. Used Steeda short throw shifter kit. Teach your wife to drive stick!

 

Actually that is not correct, at least when it comes to F body T56's

There are actually (3) F body versions, all have OD in 5th and 6th. I am using the M29 (2.97 fiirst gear) in truck #1.
Truck #2 is getting the MN6.

93 LT1 T56
Borg Warner T56 6-speed Manual
Gear Ratios : 3.36, 2.07, 1.35, 1.00, .80, .62 (M28)
Gear Ratios : 2.97, 2.07, 1.43, 1.00, .80, .62 (M29)
Spline : 26 input/27 output
Torque Rating : 350 lb-ft & 400 lb-ft

94-97 LT1 T56
Borg Warner T56 6-speed Manual
Gear Ratios : 2.66, 1.78, 1.30, 1.00, .74, .50 (MN6)
Spline : 26 input/27 output
Torque Rating : 450 lb-ft

Pedals will be modified 1995 camaro with the factory hydraulic clutch setup. Only mod will be a longer hydraulic hose because of pedal location.

 

Latest engine and trans rolled out, 383 with T56.



Machine shop called, the original supercharged engine block is NOT cracked...so now may be putting the supercharged 355 back together as well.
I think I am still going to run the 383, decisions decisions!

 

Got the 383 and T56 mocked up today, just another reminder that changing direction in the middle of the build is not the way to go!
Have to cut the floor, make a new trans crossmember, new driveshaft, new pedals, etc etc...
Hope the T56 is worth it!

 

Here are a couple pics from yesterday during the initial drop in.



Back of the floor had to be trimmed more, T56 is a long transmission!



Had to get my annual physical today, anyone over 40 knows how much fun that can be!

So after that adventure I got to make a new transmission crossmember, modified another camaro one since they are such a great fit. So now I have one for an automatic and one for a stick, wife is already giving me grief for taking away the automatic so sometime the T56 may come back out!




Engine was set at 4 degrees, same as the first engine mockup.

 

Something is wrong with that motor... the 2 middle exhaust ports are too close together