t-56 70 nova. Tranny tunnel question

[LowchevyII]

Might be a dumb question but hey, Ill ask it anyway because this inquiring mind is getting very serious about dropping a t-56 in.

Anyway, i have a 70 nova with a th-350 and a small block chevy. Im working on a lq9 and t-56 swap. When i put the tranny in, does the tunnel have to be modified. Ive seen a few modified and my lack of fab skills puts this almost out of reach. Is it a true necessity to mod the tunnel to get this to fit?

thanks guys

jeff

[Blake Foster]

YEP!
exact same combo, running no body mounts had to replace the tunnel all the wat to the trunk inorder to clear everything.

[LowchevyII]

oooh, fun stuff! THank you though for the reply and the pic. Now i know i got some work cut out (pardon the pun) for me. I also saw on Billy Utley's nova he had redone the tunnel, but i didnt know if that was out of necessity or because he just be cause he can :D

[6OHNOVA]

I have the exact same combo in my 72 nova , and starting a ls1 t56 swap in my sons 71 Nova SS, yes you have to cut the tunnel out. Do not be scared, its just sheet metal , that is why they make welders and plasma cutters..On my son's car we are working on a swap the uses almost everything including the rack and pinion out of a 98 - 02 fbody. My goals is to have all the "hard parts" be a 100% bolt in, motor , trans and brakes are a snap , but the rack is going to require some more thought.

[LowchevyII]

thanks for the reply! would you happen to have any pics of what you did when replacing yours or your sons tunnel?

thanks again,

jeff

[scherp69]

I had to replace the tunnel in my 68 to fit a TKO600. I'm sure it's very similar to putting in a T56. When I got my trans kit from www.hurst-drivelines.com they included a new tunnel patch. I'm sure you can buy one from them if you don't have the tools to make one. It was an easy install. I have pics in my build thread if you want to see some. I still have some cutting to do around the shifter opening but it's all been welded into place. I'm going to use rivet nuts and make a panel to close the opening up even more.

[LowchevyII]

I had to replace the tunnel in my 68 to fit a TKO600. I'm sure it's very similar to putting in a T56. When I got my trans kit from www.hurst-drivelines.com they included a new tunnel patch. I'm sure you can buy one from them if you don't have the tools to make one. It was an easy install. I have pics in my build thread if you want to see some. I still have some cutting to do around the shifter opening but it's all been welded into place. I'm going to use rivet nuts and make a panel to close the opening up even more.


Thanks mike, much appreciated. Ive admired your build for a while now. I totally forgot you had to cut up your tunnel. Love your car though and thanks for the reply
:thumbsup:

[6OHNOVA]

thanks for the reply! would you happen to have any pics of what you did when replacing yours or your sons tunnel?

thanks again,

jeff

Sorry I do not have any pics of mine, I had the guy at the chassis shop make me a replacement tunnel out of sheet metal..My sons car we will do the same way