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No problem sounding like a broken record. The T5 is a viable solution to my issue. As I said before, I put a ST10 in it originally because I thought I would be driving down a street to work and back in under 10 miles. This crazy housing market drove me out of the metroplex so now I've got to adapt to long drives.
I have two issues with the T5 however: strength and shifter location. The first is something I believe I can fix with a strengthened gear set. The second is a little more complex.
The problem is the drivetrain in the C3 is shifted off center towards the passenger side of the car but the shifter location is on the driver side. I don't want to cut out the transmission tunnel (there is wiring in the way) so the shifter needs to come out the original shifter location. What did y'all do to solve this issue?
Yes, it comes up and to the left a few inches. I got a Ford t5 stock shifter off ebay for a few bucks because where the stick attaches it is vertical, not slanted like the camaro and firebird (because I mounted the trans straight)
A hole, and a lil tab to bolt a stick to is all it took. Later changed it to a vette stick to look the part.
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For some of yall who are asking. The motor is putting out 450ftlb of torque. I have been looking at the T5 for a while. There is one for sale in Corsicana TX but I'm not sure if I can handle my torque if I throw a rebuild kit at it. Is there a way I can beef up a T5 to handle the torque?
Originally Posted by 75Vette91
I have two issues with the T5 however: strength and shifter location. The first is something I believe I can fix with a strengthened gear set. The second is a little more complex.
The problem is the drivetrain in the C3 is shifted off center towards the passenger side of the car but the shifter location is on the driver side. I don't want to cut out the transmission tunnel (there is wiring in the way) so the shifter needs to come out the original shifter location. What did y'all do to solve this issue?
After seeing all of the T5 swaps, and for many years the TKO-600 swaps, I thought Tremec developed the TKX specifically to handle all of the torque of people doing LS swaps and/or big-HP SBC upgrades.
If you buy a kit from SST, and perhaps others, or perhaps even DIY, I think there is an offset shifter to handle the other issue.
I haven't done any of this yet, as my 80 already has 3.08 gears and the 4-speed works for now. But when it goes, the TKX is the most likely replacement.
The shifter location is no problem as you can see. And The T5 will last if you don't abuse it. However, have you done a 95 mile commute in a C3? Besides the comfort, reliability, and safety issues, have you considered the cost of fuel? Even with tall gears, and at 60 mph, 15 mpg would be optimistic.
Actually I've done the calculations. I can do one round trip on just under 10 gallons. That equates to an average of around 18 mpg.
I see your setup my issue is the tunnel appears to have been cut to allow for the welded shifter linkage. I can't do that because that section on my car has wiring and electronics physically mounted to it. It's worth considering.
As far as safety reliability issues I have had none. I've had other cars; a Toyota Avalon, Buick century, ford f150, Ford Taurus and a Ford Ranger. All of those vehicles have left me on the side of the road multiple times. I bought this Vette not only because of its undeniable beauty but also because of the Chevy Small block design. It's the most mass produced and reliable engine ever made. I've been driving it for almost 5 years and it's hasn't left me on the side of the road once! Hell, my mother's 2010 Chrysler Sebring has left me on the side of the road with a blown head gasket! The Vette has been the most reliable vehicle I've ever had and I would go across the country in it if I needed to.
No problem sounding like a broken record. The T5 is a viable solution to my issue. As I said before, I put a ST10 in it originally because I thought I would be driving down a street to work and back in under 10 miles. This crazy housing market drove me out of the metroplex so now I've got to adapt to long drives.
I have two issues with the T5 however: strength and shifter location. The first is something I believe I can fix with a strengthened gear set. The second is a little more complex.
The problem is the drivetrain in the C3 is shifted off center towards the passenger side of the car but the shifter location is on the driver side. I don't want to cut out the transmission tunnel (there is wiring in the way) so the shifter needs to come out the original shifter location. What did y'all do to solve this issue?
My car was originally an auto, as stated. I had to cut the tunnel for the shifter. The GM WC T5 was mounted on an angle in the Camaro, I mounted it straight up in the C3, Hurst sells a Blackjack shifter specifically for doing this. I modified the auto shifter plate just slightly to accept the stick.
You may be a bit overly optimistic. My 350 powered '72 with its T5 and .63 overdrive has never gotten anywhere near 18 mpg, 15 maybe. My C6 gets over 30 on the highway, my 5 speed Honda Fit gets 43. However, if I needed to commute or take a cross country trip tomorrow, I'd be in the Honda. When I used to drive my Corvette to work, I'd worry about it every minute it sat in the parking lot unattended.
Well I'm not lying. I drive it everyday and I put 10 gallons in and that gets me from my house and back, which is 95 miles away from work. I get 15 mph in the city when I have to burn my kinetic energy in the brakes. It's simple math whether or not you chose to believe that is your choice. It could be that you were running rich IDK.
I usually don't worry about leaving my car unattended. I have a few, um, "surprises" in store for would be thieves.
the 320 ft/lb number was also GM trying to avoid giving away trannys under warranty as a LOT of people who buy performance cars new drive em like they stole em! you have 450 ft/lbs. do you actually use more than 300 at one time?
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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Originally Posted by derekderek
the 320 ft/lb number was also GM trying to avoid giving away trannys under warranty as a LOT of people who buy performance cars new drive em like they stole em! you have 450 ft/lbs. do you actually use more than 300 at one time?
Hey guys, I could use some second and third opinions here.
So right now my 75 vette is running a 4 speed (super T10). I really need an overdrive transmission. I'd prefer a manual transmission like a 5 speed.
Does anyone here have experience installing a manual overdrive transmission in a C3? I'm just looking for ideas. I'm not a rich man, I don't have $200k just laying around and can't just install anything I want. I'm looking for cost effectiveness here.
Well I'm not lying. I drive it everyday and I put 10 gallons in and that gets me from my house and back, which is 95 miles away from work. I get 15 mph in the city when I have to burn my kinetic energy in the brakes. It's simple math whether or not you chose to believe that is your choice. It could be that you were running rich IDK.
I usually don't worry about leaving my car unattended. I have a few, um, "surprises" in store for would be thieves.
