I'll post up my experiences and methods I have in my T56 swap.
I originally started out with a T5 swap into an 84 Cutlass with a TPI fuel injected 383 SBC. I bought a T5 setup from a guy who had all this in his Monte SS so all the "engineering" was done for me, not by me. I got a set of f-body pedals (mid to late 80's) which had the old g-body firewall mounting tabs welded to the f-body pedals. The mounting holes slide over the studs from the back of the brak booster and are farther apart on the g-body booster than the f-body booster.
The crossmember I used was from the stock 3 speed automatic V6 Buick transmission. I used a piece of steel 1/2" thick and about 2" long with 2 holes. Bolted one end to the crossmember and the other end to the trans. Kinda Jerry-rigged but I *waz gonna* buy/have made a correct crossmember.
I was originally using the f-body hydraulics with the T5. As was stated earlier and in the picture, I removed the wiring and hose for the cruise control and mounted the master cylinder thru that hole. I then used the master as a template to drill the mounting holes. The slave then attaches to the f-body clutch pedal.
I was using a bellhousing from an 85 - 92 Camaro for the hyd equipped cars. I used, again, the stock Camaro T5 slave cylinder. Basically, from the clutch/brake pedal assembly to the hydraulics, bellhousing, 84 or 85 Camaro flywheel (153 tooth 2 pc RMS), clutch/pressure plate (10.4") and World Class T5 was all from the Camaro. Now for my evaluation. Pros: All parts readily available from dealer or parts supply houses (Autozone, O'Reilly's, Napa, etc.). Cons: Never really liked the hydraulic actuation though that could be personal preferance. Seemed like the clutch wanted to slip easier than normal due to possibly not completely releasing the clutch. Tried new, prebled master/slave assembly. Same results. Had no adjustability. Could have maybe shimmed the slave back from the bell farther with the risk of not enough slave rod travel.
I used the Hedman shorty headers, yes, also for a Camaro. #68470 clears the hydraulics nicely and fits the g-body frame.
It was at this time I swapped to the Aftermarket T56. I bought it from Liberty. It's now Liberty Gears.
http://www.libertysgears.com/ttc.htm
With shipping to Southern Illinois it was a few dollars shy of $2000 back in 2003 - 2004. UPS guy delivered it in 2 boxes to stay under the 150# weight limit with the included adapter plate. Comes with the same adapter plate pictured on page 1. Some adapter plates are drilled for both the regular Muncie style pattern and the canted T5. Others are only drilled for the T5 pattern. Mine is drilled for both.
***NOTE: The pictured extended pilot bushing below the adapter plate is only used with the LS1 transmission. My Aftermarket T56 (#1386-000-011) uses a regular pilot bushing.
The Aftermarket T56 was developed to replace the weaker T5. The T56 is longer than the T5 (approx 2.5" I believe) requiring a shorter driveshaft. It uses a conventional T5 speedo output meaning either the stock mechanical speedo cable or the elec VSS for the Camaro's elec speedo. The adapter plate has a throwout bearing retainer so a stock T5 type clutch/pressure plate (or aftermarket replacement) can be used. Aftermarket T56 comes with a shifter mechinism but no handle. Since it's setup to take a Mustang Cobra shifter, I bought an aftermarket shifter.
While doing my swap and not being real happy with my hydraulic setup, I changed over to the mechanical linkage. Having used mechanical linkage in numerous 69 Camaro's, I liked the feel much better and it was also adjustable. I couldn't find a stock g-body bellhousing or a bell from an 82 - 83 Camaro (which is also mechanical and 2 year only), I bought a new Lakewood bell for the mechanical Camaro (Lakewood #15015) and the recommended Lakewood clutch fork. Since both the bell and my adapter plate are drilled for either bolt pattern, I used both sets of holes to bolt the plate to the bellhousing. Countersunk bolts are needed. This transmission is heavy (almost 150# with plate) and the Lakewood is a stout piece so I figured the extra bolts only reduced any possible stress. The transmission then bolts to the plate after it is bolted to the bell.
I used the mentioned Speed Direct linkage rods (NICE product and very reasonably priced at $65.10). After using these linkage rods, please replace your stock rods! They ARE that nice. I also bought the g-body frame bracket and the z-bar. Most (if not ALL) frames have the needed 3 holes in the frame for the bracket in the fenderwell area behind the front suspension. Simply use 3 self-tapping bolts and bolt the bracket to the frame. All conventional SBC/BBC blocks have the needed hole for the ball for the z-bar. The other end has another ball which bolts on the frame bracket. I used the same Camaro pedals that I had previously used with the hydraulic setup.
I reused the same flywheel as the T5 setup had and dropped in a new clutch/pp when I swapped from T5 to T56. T5 I used a Centerforce and with the T56 I went with a Spec Stage 3. I bought a crossmember very simular to the Crossmembers.com RCGT56.
Everything bolted together just like stock as well they should. The mech Camaro bell works flawlessly with the g-body linkage. Partially cured my clutch slippage problem. Held good in 1st - 4th gears with my Spec Stage 3 clutch/pp in a stock style 10.4" size. Still slipped somewhat in 5th & 6th gears if I stood on it really hard. Maybe my fuel injected 383 was a bit much for a 10.4'' clutch...?
My 84 Cutlass suffered from terminal cancer and I found an 86 Cutlass in better shape and the 383 needed a rebuild, the 84 got stripped and scrapped. All good parts are being installed on the 86. The 383 should be done in a week or so. I went with a new 168 tooth flywheel that can use an 11" clutch since my Lakewood bell can handle that size. A new Centerforce clutch/pp will go back in.
Unfortunately, since my car is sitting outside for now, progress has been painfully slow (or non-existant!!!) the last few months. Hopefully I can get it moved into the garage and get things back on a progressive trail.
I think that pretty well covers my trials & tribulations of my manual journey. It sure makes a g-body so much more fun being a manual and totally unique compared to most others you see.
