T56 output shaft name

[Leedogg]

OK- been a minute since I been on here...but the F-body Gathering Last weekend gave me the motivation to get to work on the TA.

I broke the trans at the strip a little over yr ago, and finally pulled it out over the last 2 days. I was told it was prolly the 'main' shaft. after removing it- the shaft that the driveshaft slides onto(I've always called it the output shaft) was literally just hanging in there.

So i was searching for the output shaft for a T56, to find none. I see input and main....so the main shaft goes all the way through the trans to the driveshaft??

Yet I always see the 'viper' output shaft upgrade...I am confused.

[superspirit]

It is called a mainshaft, and it separates from the input shaft inside the case.

[94Blackbird]

It is called a mainshaft, and it separates from the input shaft inside the case.

^^^This. You will have 3 shafts inside your transmission, input shaft, counter shaft and main shaft. The main shaft is the one that connects to the drive shaft. Main shaft and output shaft are pretty much interchangable in regards to your average automotive transmission terminology.

[96LT1355Z28]

What they said!

[Injuneer]

The T56 factory manual calls it the mainshaft. Good reference if you haven't seen it:

http://shbox.com/1/t56_service_manual.pdf

[Leedogg]

thanks gentlemen...I figured it out after doing bit more research.

[Leedogg]

Can you say SNAP!

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c45/Leedogg96ta/New%20Trans%20Am%20Pics/10294320_10201259319884173_3429903669463266638_n.j pg


Luckily- I hope- my friend said that it appears to be the only damage.

[Injuneer]

Ouchhhhh!

[Leedogg]

Right. But he is thinking that everything else is OK...hopefully I'll just have to buy the shaft. Dang thing has less than 10,000 miles since a complete overhaul on the trans. Looked at the miper shaft upgrade, but I just can't bring myself to ut tht much into the car, no more than I drive it. Going back to a Spec 3+ clutch, so hopefully the clutch will give a lil before breaking the trans again.

[Injuneer]

And all this was done with a normally aspirated 383? My Formula was still a stock T56 after the stroker went in, with a Street Twin. I was doing 5,000+ RPM dumps on QTP's and it worried me every time I did it. I didn't make too many passes before I decided to go with a TH400. A buddy of mine took his blown 383 to over 800 HP with the stock T56 and the Street Twin, with no serious damage.

I sold both his trans and mine and both of them ended up needing rebuilds.

I still remember the "strenghth of materials" lab in college where we would take 1" diameter steel bars of various materials and torque them until they snapped. Sounded like a small explosion when they let go.

[Leedogg]

Yeah Fred- only 408 rwhp too! But to be fair- this trans has 170K miles, and probably 100 or more track launches. most on 17" DR's. took only ~10 passes with the 15" DR's and the street twin, before it broke. The Trans was rebuilt about 10K miles ago due to the 5/6 gear spool stripped out. We upgraded the LT1 shift forks and done all the kevlar syncros etc at that time. But the shafts are all original.

I have SERIOUSLY considered going to a TH400 and trans brake...but Racing the car is a far 2nd to recreational driving of the car- and the 6 speed is just too fun. At this point to go Auto- I'd buy a LS auto car and swap all my suspension over, then sell the LT car.

[Leedogg]

OK- ordered my main shaft from hawks third gen. Decided to get a new flywheel, ordered a Zoom one from Summit(Factory replacement) and try it to see if it stops the vibration issue...if not- then I'll replace the twin.

The Flywheel is already at my house...and I ordered it Monday night! Summit don't play. Headed home tonight...hoping the shaft will hurry- I need to get it to my builder before I come back to work. Next hitch is a 21day variety.