Platforms that can use the stock trans for a LSx swap

In reply to Kenny_McCormic:

Yeah, that idea for a build had been bouncing around in my head for a while. How well do those trannys and transfer cases hold up to v8s+abuse?

In reply to gearheadmb:

Trans is as strong as you spend, I don't think they take much more than stock power without needing upgrades. I've read there are Syclones running 9s on the stock Tcase, never really read into it very deep.

I agree that t56 really is the best choice. In my head I've fooled around with trying to use a t5 or super t10, but after all is said and done with respect to adapting and mounting, the t56 is really only a few hundred dollars more. For budget builds, automatics are unfortunately the answer.

gearheadmb wrote: In reply to Kenny_McCormic: Yeah, that idea for a build had been bouncing around in my head for a while. How well do those trannys and transfer cases hold up to v8s+abuse?

trans is the weak link, especially having the traction from AWD. The trans is a 4l60/700r4 variant so atleast aftermarket is present and plentiful. as for the transfer case they are stout, like Kenny_McCormic said people are in the 9's and 10's on stock 4472 borg warner transfer cases without an issue

AA has a setup for Toyota r154s, so trucks and supras.

sesto elemento wrote: AA has a setup for Toyota r154s, so trucks and supras.

And for more gearing options and transfer case options if you want AWD/4wd, the AX-15 used in some Jeeps is of the same trans family as the Toyota R15x units and can be used to build a hybrid.

rslifkin wrote:

sesto elemento wrote: AA has a setup for Toyota r154s, so trucks and supras.

And for more gearing options and transfer case options if you want AWD/4wd, the AX-15 used in some Jeeps is of the same trans family as the Toyota R15x units and can be used to build a hybrid.

The AR5 in the Solstice and Sky is also in the same family and should be able to use the same adapter.

In reply to edizzle89:

Do the bravada t cases have 4wd lock and low range, or just awd all the time?

I just sold a T56 for $1500. I can get a truck 5 speed from PAP for $150ish. I'll chance the 5 speed.

SEADave wrote:

RossD wrote: The Borg Warner T-10 came in (per wiki): 1957-'63 Corvette 1957-'63 Chevrolet full-size sedan 1961-'63 Pontiac, Olds F85, Buick Specials 1960-'65 Ford and Mercury full-size, except station wagon 1960-'65 Ford Fairlane, Falcon, Mustang, Mercury Comet 1963 Dodge and Plymouth V-8, except Hemi 1968-'70 AMC Rambler, Rebel, Ambassador, Marlin, and American 1971 AMC Hornet and Matador 1968-'74 AMC Javelin and AMX

Remember there is also the Super T-10, which came in various cars through at least the early 80's. I know that F-bodies and Corvette's had them though '82, and a modified version (with a seperate overdrive added) was used as the 4+3 in Vette's from 84-88. Richmond still sells these brand new for about $1600, which isn't chump change but is about half the cost of a new T-56.

The early T-10 (1963 and earlier) wasn't very strong and wouldn't be a good choice; having said that they are pretty rare today - most either broke, or are in restored cars. The new ones are good. Another possibility would be a Muncie, GM used a lot more of them anyway.

iadr wrote: Yes, that is true, but we were trying to avoid truck gearing! The drop from 4th to 5th in those is twice what is appropriate for a performance car.

Depending on rear end gearing, that may or may not matter much. If you only get into 5th to drop the rpms when cruising, it would work out fine, I think.

Isn't there a manual Colorado trans that works with lowere powered ls motors? I want to say it's similar if not the same as the solstice.

chiodos wrote: Isn't there a manual Colorado trans that works with lowere powered ls motors? I want to say it's similar if not the same as the solstice.

Yep, it's one of the AR-5 variants.

Is there a way to tell which variant of the NV3500 you're looking at? Looking at this one on Richmond CL

http://richmond.craigslist.org/pts/5380023634.html

Another cheap stick that will live behind a LS (at least a stock one) is the A833 OD 4 speed out of a 80s Chevy pickup, downsides are WIDE ratios (1st 3.09 2nd 1.67 3rd 1.00 4th .73 OD ), and they need bearings kinda often (100k or so?), since they made a OD out of an normal 4 speed by making 3rd gear the overdrive and flipping the 3/4 lever. So the whole thing is spinning under load in OD. Get the bell housing and shifter (A Hurst unit IIRC) with it, they're special.

gearheadmb wrote: In reply to edizzle89: Do the bravada t cases have 4wd lock and low range, or just awd all the time?

pre-98 bravada's are the BW 4472 case which is a true awd, 35%F/65%R, no selectability, also no electronics which makes it nice to use in any application.

98+ bravada's had the smartrak (spelling?) and it is a "2wd until the wheels slip" case, not sure if those ones have any selectability.

Just find a crashed donor. I bought this last year for 1150 off copart. A certificate of destruction Pontiac Firebird Formula with a T56 and LT1.

pimpm3 wrote: Just find a crashed donor. I bought this last year for 1150 off copart. A certificate of destruction Pontiac Firebird Formula with a T56 and LT1.

Just to put it out there, an LT1 T56 comes with its own set of problems. I know, I have one waiting to go into a project car.