Featured C3 T56 rebuild and install

[Jr. Corvette]

Hey guys.

Spence mentioned I should be posting some pictures of my winter project on here instead of just instagram and facebook.

Some of you know already know this but last January I drove down to revelstoke and picked up this T56 and some extras for a steal of a deal. Now this winter I have begun the rebuild process and will be installing it into my car along with electronic cruise control, new sony stereo, another layer of sound deadening (butyl rubber/aluminum foil base with closed cell foam on top), and I have finished taking off the windshield trim, repainted it and POR’d the windshield frame. I’ve also polished my stainless steel header trim and had it clear wrap so as to preserve the finish. I’m also having the upper header corner trim pieces re chromed so the interior will be 100% done after this winter. Along with the interior work I’ll be pulling off my doors and painting the inside of them and the door jams in that flat black color so as to rid my car of the white that is on it.

I’m rebuilding my T56 with all the goodies; New mainshaft, new viper spec 2nd gear, brass shift fork bushings, carbon/kevlar sychros, steel 3/4 shift fork, sand blasted and powder coated case, mgw shifter, customer front gear cluster sprayer, brass isolator cup, and a few other things. All making it capable of 700hp +

I also have some custom work to do on my fans as so to gain more camber (I’m running some 4000cfm derale fans which weren’t supposed to fit in my car. The left suspension actually protrudes into the fan. So I need to clearance the fan shroud to gain the camber. I will also be pulling the diff and putting 3.90’s in it.

So if you’re interested, follow along because this will be a fast paced build to finish every thing before summer!

 

[nascar03]

Hi Jr...
I’m looking forward to following along....
Thanx for sharing.

Graham

 

[Rruuff Day]

You go Jr. We will be following.

 

[Jr. Corvette]

So this weekend I had some free time and was able to get the transmission half assembled. Here are some more pictures of the build so far. In one of the pictures of my new main shaft beside the old one, you can see the stripped 5/6 gear threads. It’s so bad you can’t see the groove where the lock ring went.

 

[ddgermann]

Wish I had the nerve... ok skill to try that.
Excellent post.

 

[taylorsk8]

I am interested in this one! I didn't open my tranny during the swap. I think it is ok but you never know I might be doing this 2 days after I get the car running. Lot of pics Please!

Is your 6th 0.5:1?

T

 

[Black 03 Z06]

Hey Derek, anyone can rip it apart. Where the real difference is is putting it all back together.

Good luck with your latest project Jr. and thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[ddgermann]

I once had an adventure with a washing machine transmission. “No problem Honey.... hold my beer and watch this”.
Ya... next day off for a new machine. Plus she got me for a drier too.

 

[Jr. Corvette]

I am interested in this one! I didn't open my tranny during the swap. I think it is ok but you never know I might be doing this 2 days after I get the car running. Lot of pics Please!

Is your 6th 0.5:1?

T

Yup, I have the 0.5:1 sixth. I’ll post lots of pictures! I’ve learned a ton of little tricks during this build too so if you need any advice let me know. I’ve been rebuilding this without a press so I’ve had to use some PVC piping to install one syncro and a bearing along with that I’ll been using some of my old scrap parts as spacers to install some bearings and one syncro.

 

[turbozig]

Fantastic workmanship my friend. Hats off to you! I have much admiration for your persistence and dedication and eagerness to learn. I am looking very forward to seeing more.

 

[Hotrodron]

Looking forward to your future posts, as they are very informative....

 

[Jr. Corvette]

Hey guys,

Been a little while since I posted. I have my transmission almost finished except for reverse. I forgot to order a plastic thrust washer and everyone wants $20-$30 US for shipping. Anyway I’ve got one on the way so it’ll be done soon.

In the mean time I have done quite a lot. I’ve tinted my back window in limo tint, I got my roof trim pieces back from being re-chromed, I’ve taken all of my interior out and have started taking off my doors as well as taking off all the parts on and in the door. I’ll be sand blasting the mirrors and painting them as well as the door hinges and rebuilding them with new springs and a hinge repair kit.

Here are some more pictures!

 

[taylorsk8]

Looking good! Will be a thing of beauty for the spring.

T

 

[Jr. Corvette]

Hey guys.

Update! Still waiting on that stupid platic thrust washer to finish my transmission. In the mean time I finished taking the other door off my car. Stripped them both down and grinded them to the metal then applied some POR 15 and zero rust for an industructable finish. I also sand blasted my hinges, shims, mirrors, and some trim pieces. I painted the hinges in the same POR 15 and zero rust comination then installed new pins and brass bushings. Now all the slop is gone and they have a nice positive operation. I then prepped the body, doors, and parts for paint. I primed them then top coated them with the rat rod black from eastwood, the same matte black look that I painted the front of my car in. I just finished painting one of my doors but still have to paint the other one but I ran out of paint.

Also I got some of the last parts for my transmission install. I got a new RAM aluminum flywheel and center force clutch rated at 700hp. I was going to go with their ceramic clutch but being that I got the aluminum flywheel I didn’t want to sacrifice drivability. Also picked up a stainless steel weighted shift knob. I didn’t care about it being weighted but the brushed stainless steel matches my brushed steering wheel and horn so I thought it’d look nice and from what I’ve read and heard the weighted knobs are good. Lastly I got some new door handles from rock auto. They’re so difficult to get at and my original ones were in terrible shape so I figured I better get them.

 

[Rruuff Day]

Looking good Jr. Hopefully we see it...and you on the road in Ponoka in May. (Date to still be determined)

 

[turbozig]

Bravo Cody. Always a treat looking at your work. Hopefully your thrust washer comes in soon. So frustrating putting a project on hold for such a stupid small but important part. Keep posting them pics!

 

[Riley P]

Really really nice! Looks like some great work being completed on your car! Thank you for taking the time to do the write ups and post pics.

 

[Jr. Corvette]

Looking good Jr. Hopefully we see it...and you on the road in Ponoka in May. (Date to still be determined)

Thanks. Should be! I’m on track to finish everything by april but I’m usually overally optimistic. I’m leaving the differential and exhaust alone until I’m sure I’ll have the time to do it so that I’ll finish on time.

Let me know when you have some more info on that Ponoka trip!

 

[Jeremiad]

Hey guys.

Spence mentioned I should be posting some pictures of my winter project on here instead of just instagram and facebook.

Thank you for posting this here. Instagram sounds like a venerial disease that I am not much interested in, and Facebook is great I suppose if you stay in touch and browse that crap every day. It might take me a bit to get to this, but here it is and I appreciate it. Thank you!

 

[Jr. Corvette]

Thank you for posting this here. Instagram sounds like a venerial disease that I am not much interested in, and Facebook is great I suppose if you stay in touch and browse that crap every day. It might take me a bit to get to this, but here it is and I appreciate it. Thank you!

No worries! The encouragement and kind words from you guys means a lot to me and I’m glad you all are enjoying following along with this project. I’m having a blast! I often find as much enjoyment in doing this as driving the car. My dad says I’m weird. Maybe so. Hahaha