Price for ls1 T-56 vs LT1 T-56

[84dragcutlass]

Ive began looking for a transmission for my Olds and I want a T-56. I know the LT1 has a shorter input shaft then the LS1 and the LS1 seems to be what I would want to run. What would be a good price to pay for each of those transmissions

 

[UNGN]

T56's are $1,000 to rebuild at a reputable rebuilder like TDP. A "working" T56 is not the same as a "rebuilt" or "fresh" T56.

A working LT1 box could be bought for $800-$1200, where a working LS1 box usually start around $1500... which is why it may be better to bite the bullet an buy a freshly rebuilt one from a reputable rebuilder for $2000-2500.

The difference in shifting feel between a working T56 and a rebuilt/new T56 is night/day and totally worth the $1,000 price difference.

The shifting "feel" of a "working" T56 can be close to a 1970's Mustang II or Pinto T4, while a rebuilt box feels like a Viper 6060.

 

[marcar1993]

I bought a working lt1 t56 for $400 a few years back. I would do it again for the price, however I'd prefer to have an ls1 t56 behind my olds. It solves the hydraulic throwout bearing issues. Get an ls1 trans to use stock hydraulics and a bop to t56 scattershield... if I did it all over, this is the route I'd take.

 

[TURNA]

I used the LT1 style but I also did it 7 or 8 years ago when they didn't have a lot of the swap parts they have now.

If I was to do it again I honestly have no idea which one I would use.

I do like this new item they have.

This is made to fit into the stock G-Body manual trans shifter location.

 

[marcar1993]

^Agreed when I did mine it was just before the release of a plethora of parts to make it easier. Also, mounting it to an olds motor does make it a bit harder.

 

[81cutlass]

I bought my lt1 t56 for $500 plus a dissembled "core" 5.3 and random parts I had. I havn't ever seen an LS t56 for under $1500.

I used the original lt input shaft since I had a long crank 6.0 and cut the factory lt bellhousing out on the bottom so it resembled an auto trans (153 vs 168 tooth flywheel). I havnt got enough miles on to know if it totally works and lives but it has been fine on the 50 miles or so I have on it. Just used a t5 howe hydro TOB and built some parts. If you are creative it works without having to swap trans internal parts but hardly anything recommended by anyone but my cheap *ss.

 

[UNGN]

The LT1 T56's used to be all over Craigslist for $500 but those days are gone.

 

[marcar1993]

I have a mcleod hydraulic throwout in mine (designed to adapt lt t56 to a hydro throwout) with a weir performance bellhousing (mistake!). Should have just gone with a scattershield with the same throwout..

 

[clean8485]

I used the LT1 style but I also did it 7 or 8 years ago when they didn't have a lot of the swap parts they have now.

If I was to do it again I honestly have no idea which one I would use.

I do like this new item they have.

This is made to fit into the stock G-Body manual trans shifter location.

Turna, do you know if anyone has a 5 speed swap out there for a Malibu, that's a factory 4 speed car, so that the shifter comes out in the original location? I've been looking around without much luck so far.

 

[84dragcutlass]

Great info so far. From the sound of it I might just go with a rebuilt LS1 T-56 and just get a bellhousing for the BOP pattern. Never ran anything with the hydraulic throw-out bearing so that should be interesting