ZF6 speed in a thirdgen???

[Flippindabird]

anyone do this before??? i know its inferior to the t56 so its def not a popular swap, just wondering if its possible to do without major fabrication

[V]

yes its possible, been done a few times across the Internets.
main issue is finding the proper bellhousing and location of the shifter.
Even then you will have clearance issues with the slave cylinder and other items

[Flippindabird]

gotcha, thanks V

[BonzoHansen]

it's a big SOB, no?

[Featherburner]

The 91-92 Firehawks had ZF 6 speeds.

[greenformula92]

another easier option is a T56. but not as cool as being able to say "yeah its got a ZF 6 speed swap"

[88WS-6]

They put the ZF in the mythical "IROC-ZR1s" and GM actually put it in this:

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com/features/0809gmhtp_1988_lt5_chevy_camaro/index.html

[1320B4U]

The 91-92 Firehawks had ZF 6 speeds.

^ Yup...but bare in mind the firehawks at special consoles made by slp (i wanna get a hold of 1 but impossible) so the driver wouldn't bash their hand into the radio control using the normal 5spd center on reg 3rd gens. This most likely could be remedied by using a 4th gen console, which wasn't avail in 91-92 obv.

[Flippindabird]

1 problem solved i dont have a console LOL!

@ bonzo im not sure how big it is

@ green used ZFs are actually less expensive then T56s thats what peaked my curiousity

[//<86TA>\\]

1 problem solved i dont have a console LOL!

@ bonzo im not sure how big it is

@ green used ZFs are actually less expensive then T56s thats what peaked my curiousity

the 3rd gen zf bellhousing from the firehawk will cost a fortune, more than most 3rd gens sell for, thats if you ever find one for sale, which you wont.

Can you use the vett bellhousing? i dont think you can

You are really better of with the t56, all said and done it will be cheaper and less of a headache

[L695speed]

I believe they needed to do substantial floor pan mods to get it to fit too. I agree with some others on here, save yourself the trouble and go the T56 route, or if you don't want to go the T56 route, go the Richmond 6 speed route. I know plenty of third gens with the Richmond trans, but the T56s are so easy to find and easily backed by the aftermarket.

[1320B4U]

I do not know the answer to the bellhousing question off a vette, but both camaro and vettes did come w/the L98 350...the vette just differentiated by cam and heads, so i'd gather the bellhousing from a vette would work on a third gen. Heck, just go crazy and put the doug nash4+3 in...those were fail from the get go...lol.

[Flippindabird]

im gonna use a fuller 10speed!

[greenformula92]

im gonna use a fuller 10speed!

to hell with 10, get a 13!! :rofl:

[Flippindabird]

:lol:

[91FBirdDropTop]

http://www.thirdgen.org/firebird_firepower_mt_december_1991


there is the car with the zf 6 speed

[L695speed]

http://www.thirdgen.org/firebird_firepower_mt_december_1991


there is the car with the zf 6 speed

hahahahahahaha I was the one who sent that article to JT. The Firehawk, the prototype shown on those pages and the twin turbo (i believe its the same car as that firefox shown on those pages.) No one has found evidence that there were more than 2 or 3 cars. So like the Mantra Ray show car being the same as the Mako shark II, its possible they used an existing car to make the twin turbo IRS TA that terrorized the magazines in the early 90s.

I still say you need to do floor pan modifications to get it to fit. Sure it will bolt up but I think you gotta widen the trans tunnel and do something for the Torque arm. The swap has been done obviously, but why go through the effort when a T56 is pretty much a bolt in.

[Flippindabird]

^^^^ thats why i made this thread because i wanted to know if "fabrication" was needed... and it is, so i will get a wct5 or a t56 when i can afford it thanks for all the input guys very interesting:nod:

[L695speed]

^^^^ thats why i made this thread because i wanted to know if "fabrication" was needed... and it is, so i will get a wct5 or a t56 when i can afford it thanks for all the input guys very interesting:nod:

I read somewhere that it needed some fab work to make it fit. I don't recall where I saw it. But a WC T5 or a T56 would definitely be an easier job. For the T56 you need a custom crossmember, spohn and hawks both sell one, you can keep the third gen pedals if you modify the hydraulic system. Also you will need to do something for the speedo if you have a cable one, and cut a notch in the floor extending the trans hole if its a stick bec the T56 is longer.

So either way, you will need to "fab" a lil. Just one you are cutting a notch in the floor to make a hole bigger, the other I think you need to enlarge the trans tunnel. If I find that info I'll pass it on. I just don't recall where I read about a ZF6 swap.

[L695speed]

Here ya go, the size is a big problem. Clutch slave, second problem, final problem is the torque arm mount. Some one said if someone does the swap they would need to build a custom trans tunnel. So you would need to cut out part of the trans tunnel and fab it from whatever point you go to all the way to the firewall. Not for those who don't have the tools. If you have a ZF6 on hand, you could try to make it work, but I'd sell it and go with the 94+ T56 or T5/TKO variant.

www.thirdgen.org/techboard/transmissions-drivetrain/53580-zf-6-vs-t56.html

There are other threads on that board about the swap.

ZFs are by no means cheap to work with either, certainly not T5 or T56 cheap.

[wretched73]

I was originally gonna put a t56 in my turd gen but after realizing how hard it is to find one outta an ls1 for a decent price (i have only come across extremely over priced ones). Now im almost positive im going to a tko 600, for a little more money i'll have a fresh trans that should be easier to install

[WildBillyT]

I was originally gonna put a t56 in my turd gen but after realizing how hard it is to find one outta an ls1 for a decent price (i have only come across extremely over priced ones). Now im almost positive im going to a tko 600, for a little more money i'll have a fresh trans that should be easier to install

Do the tkos still have the high rpm issue?

[//<86TA>\\]

Do the tkos still have the high rpm issue?

not as much as the tunnel fitment issues, lol. BUt yes, without changing parts, not sure what ones, they dont like to shift over 6500 rpm.

its still cheaper to find a low mile 1lt t56 and swap it in than do a tko swap, seriously you will be over 3k deep before you are done with a tko.

That said i do like my tko.

[L695speed]

its still cheaper to find a low mile 1lt t56 and swap it in than do a tko swap, seriously you will be over 3k deep before you are done with a tko.


I agree with this. I scored my LT1 T56 for 700 for everything but some bolts, the slave housing, fork and pivot, and the shifter stick. I had Alloy over on TGO convert to a mechanical speedo, 375. Even with the misc parts I had to find and bolts, crossmember was 90 on sale, and no doubt a stock LT clutch costing round 150, I'm probably about 1400 in if not less total. I've seen just the transmission go for 2K, which is just insane.

[Flippindabird]

L69 if u see another one for $700 let me know

[deadtrend1]

....and no doubt a stock LT clutch costing round 150.....

Holy crap. How did you manage that. I think 450 was the cheapest for a decent name brand one.

[WildBillyT]

Holy crap. How did you manage that. I think 450 was the cheapest for a decent name brand one.

That's probably a stock duralast or something. Dice roll at best.

[88WS-6]

L69 if u see another one for $700 let me know

http://cnj.craigslist.org/pts/2811822772.html

[1320B4U]

now thats a smokin deal if its in tact

[L695speed]

I'm not looking for T56s since I already have one, but yes I'll keep an eye out. I found mine through a local on TGO. He may have been on here as well. There are deals to be had as far as the T56s go just be patient and keep looking.

And WildBilly, yes I mean a stock duralast clutch. I don't know what I'm doing for the clutch yet since I don't have an engine to bolt one up to. Considering what I have in mind for the motor, I doubt even a stock LT4 clutch will hold up.

Point I was making was it can be done for the price or less than the price of what the T56s as a whole seem to go for.

And now I go back to craigslist on the hunt for a vortec truck motor to convert to a carb and stroke.....

[L695speed]

http://cnj.craigslist.org/pts/2811822772.html

I'd check that out, see if he will include the bell housing, pedals, MC etc. If he does and the trans seems to be in good shape...hell go for it.

[BonzoHansen]

I'd check that out, see if he will include the bell housing, pedals, MC etc. If he does and the trans seems to be in good shape...hell go for it.

if it includes all that buy it & flip it lol

[88WS-6]

I'd check that out, see if he will include the bell housing, pedals, MC etc. If he does and the trans seems to be in good shape...hell go for it.

I'm not in the market right now. I saw the earlier post asking about a cheap T56 and remembered I saw one on craigslist. Have at it all you guys want. Posting is from February though...

[L695speed]

if it includes all that buy it & flip it lol

I wish I could, I spent all that money on Konis :lol:

[1320B4U]

I'd recommend using the 3rd gen pedal assembly...more bracing/reenforcement for the firewall w/that setup as opposed to 4th gen style.

[L695speed]

I'd recommend using the 3rd gen pedal assembly...more bracing/reenforcement for the firewall w/that setup as opposed to 4th gen style.

So would I. You need to drill and etc to make it work right. The third gen pedals depending on preference need either a slave cylinder change, or the MC rod converted to be adjustable. A lil drilling and grinding is all that is needed to get the MC rod to fit on the third gen pedal stud.