I just got hold of a '94 corvette LT-1 motor and a ZF 6-speed for next to nothing. I would like to keep my Buick 350 or maybe step up to a 455, and back it up with the 6-speed. Don't know if anyone out there can help me out with some advice on the swap, but I really don't want to drop in the LT-1. I don't think the cross member will be a problem and now a days you can pick up the phone and have a custom drive shaft at your door in two weeks. I guess the unknowns like trans tunnel clearance and bellhousing adapters are what have me scratching my head right now. o No: Thank you in advance for any advice, Alex
Boy, I'd love to se some input on this one. I've been thinking of either a Richmond 6-speed or Corvette one behind an ATI procharged 350 in a 1970 Skylark with BIG brakes, the works.
I just put in a tremec 600 behind my 455 and the 5th gear is plenty long enough to keep the car going down the highway. I wouldn't see how a 6th gear would benefit. Who want's to go 150+ in a a body.... not me. % speeds it enough for these cars. Plus, the trans hump is gonna have to be huge to get the tranny to fit in the car. Bob
I think that corvette blocks and transmissions have a totally different bolt pattern, you might have a hard time getting an adaptor plate or bellhousing? No sure though, but something to think about.
I agree that a 6 speed is a lot of gear. I had a 95 ZR1 Corvette and couldn't use it below 80mph. I think the RPM was down around 1000 or 1200 or something like that. But hey, it's still a pretty cool idea. Give it a shot!!
Is it a ZF or a T56? I think I remember GM switiching over to t56 6 speeds in the LT1 vettes as well as the f-bodies. If it is a t56 I think the swap becomes a lot easier. There is a new bellhosuing being produced right now (i forget by who but I have the article at home so I'll post it later) that can pretty much allow you to mate any engine with any trans (provided the trans spline matches up). The advantage of the 6 speed is really to run a radical gear ratio on the street, like 4.11s or 4.56. Now I know I am going to get lit up like a roman candle for this one, but if the lt1 and trans are in good running condition (and you have all the FI parts) just drop it in and figure out the zf to buick swap later. This way you have time to really evaluate the associated problems you are going to expirence (like clutch fitment issues, linkages, bellhousings, etc...).
The trans is ZF, and I hate to say it but I will probably drop in the LT-1 for now till I'm done with the research on the swap. I just think the car would raise a few eyebrows with a BBB mated to the 6-speed.
Mcleod ( www.mcleodind.com ) is making a modular bell housing that will match a buick to any number of transmissions. Cheryl
I have a Car Craft that has teh "monster guide to Overdrive manual tranny swaps" Their is a great deal of information on the ZF tranny.Vital info like overall length, shifter, and mount length, I'll scan it for ya when I get home tonight. I think it will answer some questions. :3gears:
The car would definatly be different but there is a lot of little details that goes into these things. Think about when 1st gen f-body guys were first using these trannys and how much stuff had to be custom made, and they were going from a new chevy 350 to an old chevy 350. Now they have a burgeoning aftermarket for this type of swap, and some clutch parts that may help make this swap easier. Since it sounds liek you really want a 455 motor, it makes sense to do the swap with the running lt-1 now while you bild up the 455, this way you have a running car while the engine gets built and you also figure out a lot of the 6 speed problems. anyway here is a link to tranny swaps in a chevelle which is close enought to give you some idea of the fitment issues, too bad it only talks about early chevelles with reguard to the zf: http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/60978/ and here is a link to an olds page talking about engine swaps: http://bnol.com/troberts/oldsfaq/oftrn.htm Edit: After rereading my own post, I realized it may be better for you to sell the zf to a vette guy who needs it and replace it with a t56 6speed. The t56 shouls bolt up to the back of your lt1 because the lt1camaros and firebirds used them. Plus it sounds like it will fit in your trans tunnel.
so has anyone seen or known of someone with T56 behind a Buick motor? I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel or anything I'm just trying to get a direction to run in. Trust me every time I pass the motor and trans in my garage I think I should just sell them. I could always use the money on a more conventional combo, but them the little devil on the other shoulder screams that a GSX clone with a 6-speed would be blast with the right gearing. I really appreciate all the info so far, I know nothing about this ZF trans and it seems it may not be the way to go.
You may be the first! The modular bell housing under new parts in my link above would let you use the T-56 and a 455 Buick. I have driven an 03 Mustang Cobra with 500 rear wheel torque and horsepower that uses the T-56 and 3.55 rear end rears. What a blast, and it turns an easy 2250 RPMs at 80 MPH in 6th gear. It would be just that much more fun behind a Buick. :3gears:
I hate to sound redundant, but I'd sell that trans! Those ZFs are rare and valuable. If you got a few K for it, the easiest trans swap is a Richmond 5 or 6 speed. The dimensions are just like the old Muncie trannies that the car would have come with. I have a 5 speed and didn't even have to shorten the drive shaft! My $.02
i was told that a major problem with the vette 6 sp is that it holds a very small volume of oil and is a seal fails and u fail to notice , that u could easily destroy the transmission very quickly . i already know of one such occurrence .
Yeah, I think i'm going to sell the trans, but i'm not sure about the lt-1 motor. Might just hang onto the motor for a while, never know when you will run across a car that could use a heart transplant. A Nova, Ventura, or Apollo would be perfect. :Brow: There I go again, spending money before it's made. ou: It's not a hobby, it's an f-ing addiction...and I wouldn't have it any other way! Thanks, Alex Z
