T56 Alternatives
04-24-2016, 09:55 PM
#1
V8 Miata Follower
Thread Starter
T56 Alternatives
As I'm preparing for an LS1 swap, I've been trying to come up with alternatives to the T56. I like having options, and being able to weigh out every pro and con. I also have the fabrications skills to make a trans adapter for any of these, so the fact that there is an off the shelf kit for the T56 is a moot point for me. I'm also neglecting the fact that the driveshaft is also included in the V8r driveline kit, as I don't know how much the kit would cost without the driveshaft, and how much DSS would make a custom one for.
T56: $1500-2000 (most likely $2000 from what I've seen in my area)
Clutch/flywheel: $500-1000
Slave cylinder: $160
Total: Likely around $2950
Pro's: Factory LS trans, off-the-shelf kits
Con's: Cost, shift quality (only based off reviews, I've never shifted one)
Z32 300ZX trans: $400
Adapter kit: $600
Clutch/flywheel: $500-1000
Slave: $20
Shifter shortening bracket: $180
Total: Around $2000
Pro's: Smaller package, cheaper, can withstand LS power, 3.23's may work well for road race gearing
Con's: Gear ratios are short without an overdrive and highway will sacrifice, shortened bracket still puts the shifter 2.6" further back, starter gets in the way of V8r longtubes, but a custom exhaust with Sanderson's will likely package
Z33 CD009 350Z trans: $500
Adapter kit: $450
LS1 bellhousing: $200
T56 slave: $160
Clutch/flywheel: $500-1000
Top mounted shifter: $285
Total: Around $2400
Pro's: Newer CD009 are bulletproof, shifter is same as Fbody T56 with relocation kit, has an overdrive, retains LS1 starter
Con's: Almost in T56 price range with swap parts, requires cutting to the CD009 trans, needs a very low rear end gear otherwise 2-6 are similar to 1-5 of the Z32 and first gear is beyond useless
After typing this out, I'm starting to think it's worth it to just keep searching for a relatively cheap T56 and try to find good deals on the clutch/flywheel. It wouldn't hurt to throw out the information, though, and see what y'all think. Every $100 savings adds up in the end of the build, but this may not be the place to skimp out. I've looked into the NV3500, but that doesn't seem to be able to reliably shift at high rpm. T5 doesn't handle LSx torque. Overall, I'm not finding any other decent options other than the Z32 and Z33 transmissions. They're both incredibly common with Japanese V8 conversions, so they must have some merit.
T56: $1500-2000 (most likely $2000 from what I've seen in my area)
Clutch/flywheel: $500-1000
Slave cylinder: $160
Total: Likely around $2950
Pro's: Factory LS trans, off-the-shelf kits
Con's: Cost, shift quality (only based off reviews, I've never shifted one)
Z32 300ZX trans: $400
Adapter kit: $600
Clutch/flywheel: $500-1000
Slave: $20
Shifter shortening bracket: $180
Total: Around $2000
Pro's: Smaller package, cheaper, can withstand LS power, 3.23's may work well for road race gearing
Con's: Gear ratios are short without an overdrive and highway will sacrifice, shortened bracket still puts the shifter 2.6" further back, starter gets in the way of V8r longtubes, but a custom exhaust with Sanderson's will likely package
Z33 CD009 350Z trans: $500
Adapter kit: $450
LS1 bellhousing: $200
T56 slave: $160
Clutch/flywheel: $500-1000
Top mounted shifter: $285
Total: Around $2400
Pro's: Newer CD009 are bulletproof, shifter is same as Fbody T56 with relocation kit, has an overdrive, retains LS1 starter
Con's: Almost in T56 price range with swap parts, requires cutting to the CD009 trans, needs a very low rear end gear otherwise 2-6 are similar to 1-5 of the Z32 and first gear is beyond useless
After typing this out, I'm starting to think it's worth it to just keep searching for a relatively cheap T56 and try to find good deals on the clutch/flywheel. It wouldn't hurt to throw out the information, though, and see what y'all think. Every $100 savings adds up in the end of the build, but this may not be the place to skimp out. I've looked into the NV3500, but that doesn't seem to be able to reliably shift at high rpm. T5 doesn't handle LSx torque. Overall, I'm not finding any other decent options other than the Z32 and Z33 transmissions. They're both incredibly common with Japanese V8 conversions, so they must have some merit.
