Tremec 3550 to T 56 Conversion and IRS Install - Mustang Forum

95convt · 05-03-2012, 01:33 PM

I have a 95 Mustang GT convertible that was an automatic which I had converted to a Tremec 3550. I found a T 56 with drive shaft cheap and was wondering what had to be done to install it in my car? The same guy has an IRS I believe the trans and IRS are from an 03 Cobra. How hard is it to convert to the IRS?

95 Bullitt · 05-03-2012, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95convt

I have a 95 Mustang GT convertible that was an automatic which I had converted to a Tremec 3550. I found a T 56 with drive shaft cheap and was wondering what had to be done to install it in my car? The same guy has an IRS I believe the trans and IRS are from an 03 Cobra. How hard is it to convert to the IRS?

Why would you want to swap to an IRS?

modo · 05-03-2012, 04:00 PM

t-56 might be a 26 spline input shaft... im not sure if the cobras came with a 26 spline or not but if it is you will need a new clutch disc

as for the irs it will bolt right in with one exception being the subframe mount has 2 additional bolts on the irs so you will need to use / weld the mount from the cobra onto your car or drill holes in your car. you will also need to redo some of the brake lines

95convt · 05-03-2012, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95 Bullitt

Why would you want to swap to an IRS?

Not sure I want to. It is just something I have thought about in the past and now I am being offer an IRS cheap so I am toying with the idea. The car is being rebuilt right now and it is going to be a daily driver that never sees the track so I think the IRS might be better for me.

95convt · 05-03-2012, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by modo

t-56 might be a 26 spline input shaft... im not sure if the cobras came with a 26 spline or not but if it is you will need a new clutch disc

as for the irs it will bolt right in with one exception being the subframe mount has 2 additional bolts on the irs so you will need to use / weld the mount from the cobra onto your car or drill holes in your car. you will also need to redo some of the brake lines

Thanks. Pretty sure the T56 is a 26 spline and the 3550 I have is a 10 spline. I just wanted to make sure there were not other issues like shifter location, shift fork, or TOB clearances to deal with.

Do you know how much more the IRS weighs than the live axle?

lvmoose007 · 05-13-2012, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95 Bullitt

Why would you want to swap to an IRS?

Agreed. The IRS cars do ride a hell of a lot better, but they're a bit expensive to fix all of Ford's screw-ups. Seems to be a pattern there, doesn't it?

According to the guys I've been yakking with at Maximum Motorsports...they like the response they've gotten out of their house car that they converted to IRS, but noted that you've got to pretty much throw their better 'kit' at it to make it work.

It's been something I've been thinking about, but haven't been able to find an IRS unit for under $1000 anywhere nearby to tempt me....so I'll pass for now.

95convt · 05-14-2012, 03:28 PM

The IRS I found is already built. It has 4.10s coil over conversion and a bunch of other upgrades. I could pick up the IRS, a T56, aluminum driveshaft and some other misc. pieces for $2500 but I am still not sure I want to convert to the IRS.

lvmoose007 · 05-18-2012, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95convt

The IRS I found is already built. It has 4.10s coil over conversion and a bunch of other upgrades. I could pick up the IRS, a T56, aluminum driveshaft and some other misc. pieces for $2500 but I am still not sure I want to convert to the IRS.

Hell, I'd try it. You only live once, and whatever you do to install the IRS is reversible, short of the extra holes you have to drill to install it, since it's a bolt-in unit.

I really enjoy the way my T-bird (1992, MN-12) rides and drives, even with the sport suspension. I'd be working on that instead of the Fox body if the rest of the MN-12 chassis wasn't such a freaking disaster (EVERYTHING has to be custom-built, including headers...sigh). I'm also of the opinion that the MN-12 front suspension is the best Ford has ever built (that includes the current Mustang, as well), but once again, there is not much of an aftermarket offering for this car, so it's pretty much pointless to own one unless you have a considerable amount of free time to fabricate your own parts, or spend through the nose to buy the small amount of custom-built stuff that's already out there. I'm still going to hang on to my heap, maybe I'll get around to working on it someday...

The only drawback of note is that the IRS isn't much of a drag-race, violent-launch setup. If you never see a drag strip, it won't be an issue.

95convt · 05-18-2012, 09:00 AM

I had a 95 T Bird that I ordered from the factory just how I wanted it. I loved that car until some idiot nailed it in the Walmart parking lot.

05-03-2012, 01:33 PM	#1
95convt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Jacksonville, NC Posts: 979	Tremec 3550 to T 56 Conversion and IRS Install I have a 95 Mustang GT convertible that was an automatic which I had converted to a Tremec 3550. I found a T 56 with drive shaft cheap and was wondering what had to be done to install it in my car? The same guy has an IRS I believe the trans and IRS are from an 03 Cobra. How hard is it to convert to the IRS? __________________ 95 GT Conv. GT-40 upper and lower, Magna Flo X-pipe and cat back, Bilstein shocks & struts, H&R race springs, MM caster camber plates, Tremec 3550w/ Tri-Ax shifter, aluminum drive shaft, chrome '03 Cobra rims, and Mac U/D pulleys.

05-03-2012, 04:00 PM	#3
modo That Guy Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: In a house Posts: 9,809	t-56 might be a 26 spline input shaft... im not sure if the cobras came with a 26 spline or not but if it is you will need a new clutch disc as for the irs it will bolt right in with one exception being the subframe mount has 2 additional bolts on the irs so you will need to use / weld the mount from the cobra onto your car or drill holes in your car. you will also need to redo some of the brake lines __________________ 93 GT 66 Coupe

05-14-2012, 03:28 PM	#7
95convt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Jacksonville, NC Posts: 979	The IRS I found is already built. It has 4.10s coil over conversion and a bunch of other upgrades. I could pick up the IRS, a T56, aluminum driveshaft and some other misc. pieces for $2500 but I am still not sure I want to convert to the IRS. __________________ 95 GT Conv. GT-40 upper and lower, Magna Flo X-pipe and cat back, Bilstein shocks & struts, H&R race springs, MM caster camber plates, Tremec 3550w/ Tri-Ax shifter, aluminum drive shaft, chrome '03 Cobra rims, and Mac U/D pulleys.

05-18-2012, 09:00 AM	#9
95convt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Jacksonville, NC Posts: 979	I had a 95 T Bird that I ordered from the factory just how I wanted it. I loved that car until some idiot nailed it in the Walmart parking lot. __________________ 95 GT Conv. GT-40 upper and lower, Magna Flo X-pipe and cat back, Bilstein shocks & struts, H&R race springs, MM caster camber plates, Tremec 3550w/ Tri-Ax shifter, aluminum drive shaft, chrome '03 Cobra rims, and Mac U/D pulleys.