LT1 T56 Transmission to LA 360 swap

Cowet said
I appreciate the input. It looks like it will cost me approx 500 in parts to convert it back to an LS type t56. Out of curiosity, why do people look for viper t56 and Challenger tr6060s over LS Camaro t56s? Other than being stronger, they don't seem to make the swap any easier since the bellhousings can't be used unless I'm mistaken.

Considering it will cost me $2000+ not including clutch/flywheel for all the parts to make the swap It doesn't seem worth it unless Im missing something.

The reason people look for the TR6060 and the Viper t56 is mostly due to factory installed strength. Compared to the LS Camaro T56s, the TR6060 and the Viper T56 have beefed up internals. Things like Steel shift forks vs the Camara T56's aluminum ones. the Main shafts in the Viper T56 and the TR6060 are larger, more splines which equates to more strength. The TR6060 and the Viper T56 also have redesigned midplates that assist with cooling of the transmission. They also have titanium and steel shift pads vs aluminum/bronze. the gear keyways are a billet steel vs cast. Now, you can upgrade a LT1 to those levels, and depending on the price you found the LT1 at, you may or may not be money ahead to sell it and find a TR6060. For me, even after the conversion I did and the cost of the Quick Time Bell housing, I'm still under what a TR6060 can be found here for. Around here, I can't find one short of 2500 bucks. I looked for 3 years. As it sits now, the cost of the LT1 t56, and after the conversion and the bellhousing, plus a rebuild kit (didn't need too but figured since it was apart, may as well), I'm sitting at just shy of 1700 bucks. I'm not including the Clutch/flywheel cost in that comparison simply because its a wash.

the T56s no matter what model, run HOT. and short of adding cooling pumps, there's not a real genius way to cool them down. The heat is what causes MOST non driver caused issues with the T56. You can get around this with running high quality, synthetic fluid. And do not overfill. People think the extra 1/2 quart or so will help, but it actually affects the fluid flow within the T56, often making it run hotter.