t56 measurement

Zedn · #1 (**permalink**) 05-15-2011, 05:36 AM

I am modifying my VE t56 to move the shifter forward. The VE is the newer box that has the shifter hanging of the back. I think i can make up a shifter fairly easy however before i reinvent the wheel i thought i should check the measurement of the old t56 shifter in case it fits.

Has anyone got an older style holden T56 sitting there they can measure the bolt holes spacing for me? The box i am refering to is the one used from VT to VY.

I need 74mm by about 94mm.

Cheers.

Kanga · #2 (**permalink**) 05-15-2011, 07:49 PM

Zden

The VE runs a body mounted external shifter, which may cause you issues, the earlier models have the shifter mounted in the box and had two locations. The shifter location in the middle of the box is about right for most cobra applications. You can get aftermarket shifters, which are better then the stock sloppy ones.

steve

Rebel1 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-15-2011, 07:56 PM

These guys may have something for you.

Billet Products Australia - Billet Pro Series manual quick shifters, shortshifts, Billet Shifters

byroncobra · #4 (**permalink**) 05-15-2011, 07:58 PM

I've few pics of my T56 in situ pre clading all the trans tunnel. I can't get to the top to get pics or measurements now though.
My box came with a shift relocator already fitted, only been driving for a week but it feels nice and tight.....shifts real well.
I'm not sure what you want measured but if pics help let me know and I'll post them in my gallery.

Krait · #5 (**permalink**) 05-15-2011, 09:10 PM

Liam,

Call Mal Wood and ask the question, might save some heartache. He and his team are very easy to talk to.

Cheers

beauies · #6 (**permalink**) 05-16-2011, 12:35 AM

Liam,

Talked to Mal Wood already about this, The old T56 shifter fits but you wont get 5, 6 and reverse gear. Mal Machines them up for $475 ish

Zedn · #7 (**permalink**) 05-16-2011, 01:44 AM

Thanks Brad that answers my question.

I will just make one by modifying the existing shifter its free. Need to have a closer look but i am pretty sure i can graft the ball from the internal mechanism onto bottom of the stick and just make up an alloy housing for it all to bolt to.

Will look at the Mal Woods upgrade further down the track after i have spent the squillion dollars it costs for NSW rego

stumpeater · #8 (**permalink**) 05-16-2011, 02:44 AM

Hi Zedn, if you could post a picture of the VE box mechanism it would be good, I would be interested to see the difference to my earlier T56, Thanks Peter.

beauies · #9 (**permalink**) 05-16-2011, 02:49 AM

zedn has a photo or two of the box in his gallery, but no photos of it apart

boxhead · #10 (**permalink**) 05-16-2011, 03:39 AM

Do you know how far forward you need to move the shifter?

Mine is moved into the same location that the gearbox in your gallery that the shaft comes out from.
Have you removed this assembly to see what is in there?

Zedn · #11 (**permalink**) 05-16-2011, 04:15 AM

Yes, where you can see the cover with the 4 bolts is where i am going to move it to. That lines up perfectly with where i want it.

Its actually more simple than the older style box in that when you remove that cover there is a simple ball and socket joint. The shaft that runs from the shifter has a ball that points down at right angles. I need to have a play around but im pretty sure a straight shaft will do the same thing. I am thinking i will just cut the end off that is under the cover and weld it onto the gear stick. I then just need to make an alloy plate that will house the spherical bearing and it should work.

If i can get it to work i will post some pics to help others. It should be much simpler than how the old style is done.

boxhead · #12 (**permalink**) 05-16-2011, 04:36 AM

Zedn, if you can compare the measurements on the older and newer style box, you may find them pretty similar in this area.
I used a B&M 45052 shifter, only mod required was to elongate mounting holes by a couple of mm's
Although it looks like the newer ones have elongated holes.

B&M 45052 B&M Ripper Shifters

Aussie Mike · #13 (**permalink**) 05-16-2011, 08:20 AM

That's the wrong shifter David. The part number is 45051 and unfortunately B&M don't make them any more.

The last couple of boxes I've built I've machined up my own shifter bases rather than adapting something else.

Starts put with a new plate machined to the right dimensions and bolt holes.

Machining for the shifter insert.

Finished Shifter

Installed and ready to go.

Cheers

Zedn · #14 (**permalink**) 05-16-2011, 02:59 PM

Thanks for the pics Mike. Where does the shifter body come from?

I am planning something similar only my machine is a die grinder

Rog246 · #15 (**permalink**) 05-16-2011, 03:38 PM

I've been looking at shifters for my Tremec as well. What I found on the Aust Ford Forums site from one of guns there is that this is the best one around at the moment and it's not expensive at $180US its as cheap as chips really !!

Here's the link MGW LTD., INC. - CNC Machined and Turned Parts. Accessories for the Corvette, Mustang, and Viper
maybe it should be this !?! Mustang Short Throw Shifter
Rog

Aussie Mike · #16 (**permalink**) 05-16-2011, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zedn

Thanks for the pics Mike. Where does the shifter body come from?

I am planning something similar only my machine is a die grinder

I used to do a lot of work with a die grinder, hacksaw and file before I had any machinery. It's surprising what you can make with basic tools.

The shifter came from Keisler. I bought several T56 shift relocation kits from them hoping to save some time and machining when doing gearboxes for people. It had the opposite effect. Unfortunately the dimensions and geometry on their shifter was ****house. The bolt pattern was wrong and it wouldn't even bolt up and then the ratios in the shifter mechanism were awful and it wouldn't engage the socket in the shift rail correctly. Maybe I got a bad batch but I had to machine the new bases to make them work properly. The shifter part itself is a nice piece just the fitment was not good.

Cheers

stumpeater · #17 (**permalink**) 05-17-2011, 02:06 AM

Hi there Mike! I've done about 300k's (on a permit) with your earlier gearbox conversion, works great and I love it, so much better than my SS Commodore shifter. Thanks again, Peter.

Aussie Mike · #18 (**permalink**) 05-17-2011, 03:15 AM

You are most welcome Peter. Glad it's working well for you. It's nice to get feed back from satisfied Cobra nuts.

Cheers

boxhead · #19 (**permalink**) 05-17-2011, 07:04 AM

More feedback for you Mike, I did mine following your instructions, now has 11000kls, no problems.
I let a mate drive it last weekend, he commented how nice the gearselect felt.

Outwest34au · #20 (**permalink**) 05-21-2011, 05:25 PM

I ended up getting the hurst shifter from US fleabay.
Hurst Shifter & Chrome Short Stick 93-02 Camaro Z28 T56 | eBay
At the last second I thought to ask if it leaned to one side and he replied it leans to the left but he sourced me a straight up and down base section.
I can only get 1/2 the gears so today will make a new base plate from 75 x 8 mm flat bar and use a drill and holesaw for the main hole. The alloy pivot section needs to be moved 13 mm or so.
Postage was slow but all's good.