1979 Malibu 6.0 T56 Magnum

[Grant Smith]

Here’s a few pics of the t56

I ended up cutting more than I needed to to get the transmission in. I had read lots of threads about putting a t56 into a gbody and some have said nothing more is required than a hole for the shifter(that was said about a regular T56 not a t56magnum) . Heard from other people you have to cut a huge hole. I went in only wanting to cut out as much as I needed, but when I was fighting the motor mounts the first time setting the motor and trans in I kept wanting to jack the trans up to see if that would help and cut more than I needed. Honestly after getting new motor mounts and bolting the drivetrain in, I feel just a hole for the shifter will suffice for aT56 Magnum in the Gbody tunnel. It’s pretty tight though.

I’m gonna cut a little more so the trans has more room and build a proper patch here soon. Pretty much all the pictures I have of the trans right now. I’m hoping to go down this weekend and maybe put the drivetrain back in to take some more photos of that trans in there for those of y’all that were asking and work on the patch.

 

[MechMan]

I was looking at the tunnel patch kit Holley has for the T56 Magnum.

 

[superbon54]

Here are where my mounts are at. I used a g-force cross member for a t56 and the motor and trans fit the chassis well. Body has yet to be set on since install so I can’t speak to clearance.

 

[Grant Smith]

I hate to say it, but if you don’t want to change motor/trans mounts, you can loosen the body bolts and slide the tub back a little.

That’s what I’ve been thinking and I actually need to replace the body mounts bad, but I’ve held off for fear of some bolts breaking or having to do frame repair right now because I don’t have the room. I’m also about to be out of a garage since my old man is moving in 1-2 months and won’t have his shop built at his new place until the fall. He told me he’s building a 30x40 with a lift so it just makes sense to hold off on body mounts right now

 

[Grant Smith]

I was looking at the tunnel patch kit Holley has for the T56 Magnum.

I was too, I bought the universal one because the one they have for Gbodys is for a mid shift position or so the tech told me.

 

[Grant Smith]

if you look those mounts are one hole to far back on the chassis.

per Holleys instructions.

 

[Grant Smith]

Here are where my mounts are at. I used a g-force cross member for a t56 and the motor and trans fit the chassis well. Body has yet to be set on since install so I can’t speak to clearance.
View attachment 145327

My trans fits the crossmember great too which is what tells me everything is where it needs to be. I don’t get it

 

[melloelky]

hmm that might be true.this has always been the normal set up,i'm sure someone will chime in on this one,there's a few ls swapped rides on here..

 

[fleming442]

So, you're saying Holley designed a kit that hundreds of other people have installed that didn't hit the firewall, and yours is a special case? Go on........

 

[pagrunt]

Here’s a few pics of the t56

I ended up cutting more than I needed to to get the transmission in. I had read lots of threads about putting a t56 into a gbody and some have said nothing more is required than a hole for the shifter(that was said about a regular T56 not a t56magnum) . Heard from other people you have to cut a huge hole. I went in only wanting to cut out as much as I needed, but when I was fighting the motor mounts the first time setting the motor and trans in I kept wanting to jack the trans up to see if that would help and cut more than I needed. Honestly after getting new motor mounts and bolting the drivetrain in, I feel just a hole for the shifter will suffice for aT56 Magnum in the Gbody tunnel. It’s pretty tight though.

View attachment 145324
View attachment 145325
View attachment 145326
I’m gonna cut a little more so the trans has more room and build a proper patch here soon. Pretty much all the pictures I have of the trans right now. I’m hoping to go down this weekend and maybe put the drivetrain back in to take some more photos of that trans in there for those of y’all that were asking and work on the patch.

I would say you haven't changed body mounts yet, so when/if you do you'll get some clearance as the orignals are fairly worn out.