69 firebird needs new trans... need input

[Grambo90]

hey everyone, i have a 69 firebird with a pontiac 350 with a 3 speed slushbox... no fun, especially at the pump. I want to drive it everyday, so im going to rebuild the engine back to original specs except for a mild cam because i want decent mileage. So my question is... what transmissions out there will fit the poncho block and the trans tunnel (i dont want to cut the car up) i was thinking the cheapest route would be a 460L-E, but what about a t-56 or a tko-500. any help is greatly appreciated.

[RBR]

I put a TKO 600 in my 69 bird and so far I love it. No cutting if you get the off set shifter.

[Grambo90]

thanks for the help man... i thought i would get more response but whatever. i was thinkin about putting a 5.3 LM7 but its alot of trouble. what MPG do you get or is it a built motor?

[RBR]

I'm not sure about the MPG yet, I'm still on my 1st tank of gas. It seems like the gas is lasting for a while so far. I have a mild 350 crate motor.
When I first started this project, I asked alot of probably dumb questions on this forum. Not saying yours is is dumb, but I know how it feels to not get a lot of replies. I really didn't know much at all when I started to build the car. Over all I got a lot of input from this forum.:thumbsup:

[Rybar]

Cheapest route, you could probably score a used LT1-style T56 for pretty cheap. You just have to frequent for sale boards looking for them. I am sure you could fab up a cross member pretty easily or get the parts from Tyler at ATS. He's really good with answering any questions you have, the only cutting would be for a shifter hole about 4" further back than a factory manual.

BTW, killer car to have at your age. :thumbsup:

[Grambo90]

thanks guys, i really appreciate your help... im very grateful to have this car at my age, now all i have to do is keep gas in it haha

[Moose]

Cheapest route, you could probably score a used LT1-style T56 for pretty cheap. You just have to frequent for sale boards looking for them. I am sure you could fab up a cross member pretty easily or get the parts from Tyler at ATS. He's really good with answering any questions you have, the only cutting would be for a shifter hole about 4" further back than a factory manual.

BTW, killer car to have at your age. :thumbsup:

wish he was closer.. I plan on selling my t56 stuff soon since I'm switching to a ls1 t56...

I'd sell everything for a great price, minus the cross member.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Bowler Transmissions makes a adpater for the electronic automatics. 4L60E / 4L80E, etc can all be mounted with the adapter.

[Grambo90]

Whats the difference between a lt1 t56 and a ls1 t56? Also, if I did go t56, doesn't someone make a setoff shifter for the t56 so i wouldn't have to cut a hole in the tunnel? Thanks

[NvrDun71]

wish he was closer.. I plan on selling my t56 stuff soon since I'm switching to a ls1 t56...

I'd sell everything for a great price, minus the cross member.

If Grambo90 isn't interested, I would be. Where are you located? PM me some info....

[kagtech]

hey everyone, i have a 69 firebird with a pontiac 350 with a 3 speed slushbox... no fun, especially at the pump. I want to drive it everyday, so im going to rebuild the engine back to original specs except for a mild cam because i want decent mileage. So my question is... what transmissions out there will fit the poncho block and the trans tunnel (i dont want to cut the car up) i was thinking the cheapest route would be a 460L-E, but what about a t-56 or a tko-500. any help is greatly appreciated.


At such a young age with a nice vehicle. Here is a link http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/tr-3550.html that will aide you in your quest.

Also it is best to search classified site such as www.ls1tech.com where is there is always someone who wrecked there car and is parting it out. You will also find www.car-parts.com a good resource for 93-02 Camaro/Firebirds and 04-06 GTOs parts, but the most economical way would be using the classifieds.

Do expect to pay anywhere from 700 - 1500 for a T56 not to include shipping and handling. For this conversion the T56 should fit right in without any problems but you will require the crossmember which can be obtained from here. http://www.transmissioncenter.net/gforce_double_hump_crossmembers_.htm#Raptor-X

Personally for me I purchased a complete donor car with 70K miles in a 1997 Camaro Z28 this way I have any and everything I desire for my other projects as well at the reasonabe price of 2500.

Best of luck to you in your quest...

[Grambo90]

Thanks kagtech... I still have a lot to learn so this should be fun.:thumbsup:

[Grambo90]

Again thanks for the help everyone... this was my first thread so I didn't know what to expect. Also, I'm still unsure of the difference between the lt1 t56 and the ls1 t56, could someone explain??

[Sicbird]

The LT1 style uses a mechanical throwout bearing, and the LS1 style uses a hydraulic throwout.

I've always heard that the starter interferes with the mechanical linkage on Pontiacs, but I've got no experience with that myself. It may be possible to build your way around that...???

There are a couple different bellhousings you can buy that adapt the T56 to a BOP. McLeod's modular one is SFI approved and quite versitle, but costs about $500. Someone casts one out of aluminum, but I can't remember the name... Keisler has complete bolt in kits that supposedly fit your Firebird. Those are a few places to look, anyway. Good luck!

[Moose]

bolt pattern is also different as well as the input shaft.. all could be changed, but its costly..