OK I decided to go with a new T56 Magnum for my 2000 NB LS build, so I called American Powertrain and ordered the trans with an install kit. The trans came with a shifter and so I decided to try and make it work. So here what I did:
First a few measurements, to confirm what I had been told, the shifter is located 2 ¾ inches forward of the Miata shifter.



Next I installed the trans without the shifter to check how much room I had to work with.





I decided that I would need to do two thing, first I needed to build an offset shifter to move the shift leaver back. Also I would have to do something to lower the height of the shifter

 

I didn't think the offset shifter would be a problem so I started with lowering the shifter hight. The shifter was 3 inches high and I needed it to be a max of 2 inches.



so first I took the shifter apart



There is a lip on top of the shifer that holds the boot on, I cut this off and saved it to use to hold the shortened boot on.

 

I then cut an inch of the shifter and install the shortened boot using screws.



This lowered the shifter height to the 2 inches I needed. now moving on to making an offset shift leaver. I cut the trans tunnel to make room for the new shiter locations them install the trans with the shifter install to see how much i would need to shorten the shifter leaver.





after some trial and error I fold that I needed to cut the leaver just up from where the round part ended. so to make the as easy as possible I decided to make the shifter out of 1 X 1/4 flat bar.




I notched the flat bar to fit over the flat part of the leaver then welded it on




I made the offset in two peached to make it easier to instal the trans. I use the stock shift handle and just drilled a hole in the other end other flatbar for it ( I did have to change this latter)



This is what it looks like install on the shiter

 

Now I had to relocate the inner shifter boot

 

OK I had noticed from the begining that the shifter on the T56 was tilted toward the drivers side a little but I didn't think it was a big deal, well it was. when I put everyting together and install the center console for a test fit the shifter post would hit the consle when you shifted to 1st. so I have to mover it 1 inch over and tilt it back to level.



Well in the end it all worked

 

wow very nice! F body transmissions are getting more and more scarce so this is a good resource for someone who wants to buy a new magnum. I wanted to but didn't want to deal with the hassle of the sifter issue so I caved and bought a used f body trans.

 

Same here. Bought a lt1 version for $400. Bellhousing, midplate and input shaft were another $600 +/-. I'll replace syncros and whatever wear parts when I open it up. I'm expecting to be around $1500 when I am done. Its is just a cheaper alternative. Looking at LS3 shortblocks now. Seems like a they are showing up &1500-$2000.

 

Nice fab work- and good planning.

Curious. On Tom's Thunderbolt project, didn't he use a Magnum T56 and some other aftermarket tailshaft to line up the shifter to the hole? With some option like this available I'm assuming your solution was price driven, yet you bought a brand new $$ T56, which is why I'm curious.

I've completed a Ford build but would love to do an LSx build in the future, which is why I'm hanging out here.

 

The T56 Magnum is $3000, a new T56 with a F body tail housing like used on Thundrbolt is ovet $4000. A use Camaro trans is $2000+. So for me a new strong trans was the way to go so I saved $1000 by doing a little fab work.

 

Cool. More money for tires)

 

I can't help but wonder if you couldn't have thrown on a GTO shifter and called it good.