Anyone tried to put in a T56 with a bench seat? I know it sits a few inches further back than the 4 speed set up, but I would like to keep the bench seat in the wagon. Anyone here running that set up or have some build pictures?

 

I put a T-56 in my wagon. It's not complete yet but I attached a few pictures. The stick sits a few inches farther from the firewall as you said. In one of the pictures, you can just make out the base of the shifter versus the front of the bucket seat. I don't think the bench could go forward all the way with the T-56 shifter, but it would definitely work with the seat back a bit. Those buckets are adjusted so my foot can press the clutch to the floor--and my legs are average length.

In another of the pictures you can see the trans support cross-member; it bolts in to the T-400 position.

The biggest construction problem is the height of the transmission and the size of a driveshaft that can transmit the torque of a modified engine. Where the bench sits, there's not much difference in height between the 4-speed and the T-56.

If you buy a custom bellhousing, you would gain the 1/2 inch I needed for an adapter plate between the bellhousing and the T-56.

 

Out of curiosity did you go hydraulic clutch T56 or do you have LT1 T56?

 

I didn't feel the LT1 6-speed had sufficient torque capacity behind a 455, so I put in a Viper T-56 (mechanical clutch). If I did it over, I'd use an hydraulic clutch.

Let me know what other questions I can help you with--I certainly did the long and careful investigation and fabrication.

Today, companies are producing kits with the parts you need for every aspect of the install.

 

I already have an LT1 T56 laying around, I look like its a bit longer than the viper T56 so I might still run into clearance issues.