Only problem with the T5 is that you're limited to a small block, or maybe a VERY mild big block, that you dont drive very hard. If i'm swapping an engine and a transmission, i'm putting a big, angry big block in there, and i'm not building my car to cruise gently to shows... Yeah, i could always go T56, but thats a lot more work, and not nearly as cheap.

 

I've been wondering about this. I think the transmission itself is "only" about $2,800. So is all the rest of the stuff in the kit worth $1,500, or is it a case where you can piece it together yourself for a lot less (if you know what to look for)?

 

You can piece it together yourself for a lot less, if you know what to look for. It has been documented here on the forum a few times.

 

Anyone who's getting rid ov their 4-speed sets up want to sell it? Anyone who ISN'T 2000 miles away?

 

I have the Borg Super T10 out of my 77, rebuilt with about 18000 miles on it.....still working strong. I am replacing it with the M23Z 4 speed. I have it posted on the Corvette Parts For Sale thread.

 

He... yeah, it looks nice. Too much for me though. I'll be buying used, crossing my fingers. And i'll need something a lot closer. Hoping to find a COMPLETE pull-out set-up... or even just a really cheap parts car. I dont want to be chasing parts. I'd just grab a local T5, but this car might be getting a big block...

There was a running, driving 4-speed 'project' (parts car) near me i could have bought, pulled what i need, and probably sold for a $500-800 total cost (net conversion cost), but it was juuuuuust a bit too much initial outlay.

 

I don't know if it is a LOT less. I got a quote from SST. Once I remove the things I don't need, or will engineer myself, the rest seems like a great deal, vs. chasing down a dozen things, or not having an offset shifter, or whatever.

I'd suggest that the OP gets a quote from SST, even if only to see what all is involved. Time has value, too.

 

If you're on a budget, there's no better way to go than with a WC T5. But before throwing a ton of money into a conversion and building a big motor, I'd opt for an LS1 and 6 speed out of a Camaro or Firebird.

 

I understand.....but the 4 speed I have for sale is not some used pile of junk. It was overhauled during my restoration, is in beautiful condition, was shifting very well and the only reason I replaced with with the M23Z is because I wanted a more durable transmission for the 406 SBC thats going to be in the car. And I had the money to buy it. If not, .....that original VIN number matching, overhauled and excellent Borg T-10 is a very good transmission, better than an Muncie, and is worth the money I advertised it for. I sold the M21 Muncie out of teh 69, as is, removed, grimy and who knows what internal condition for only a couple hundred less than I am asking for the Borg. If someone won't pay what I am asking, or near it, it will remain in my garage beside the original 350 engine. Point is, an already rebuilt transmission is not the same as some "as removed" possibly broke / worn out setup you can get for a cheaper price. Even if you were to rebuild it yourself, the parts alone add up.

I undertand the distance issue.

Anyways......

 

I bought a 90degree cable adapter (about $40) and a 7" speedo cable extension, also about $40.

 

Oh i am not arguing the value ov a built tranny, or any ov that. I'd love to buy it. Its just money man. Its always money. Distance just adds more money. The border exchange adds money. If i waited to buy the right parts for my old cars all these years i'd never have driven one. Instead... i gamble. So far... i've done very well, so i must know what i'm doing. One advantage i have this time is that these are still essentially Chevy parts. That means one guy thinks they're gold, the other guy just thinks its Chevy parts. You find deals. Unlike Mopar parts where everyone thinks they're gold, and you have to have spent 30 years in the scene to find the deals.

 

I have just completed a TKX install myself from Silversport. True that the base price of trans is $2800, but Silversport charges another $500 for the offset shifter base which includes machining the case. Offset shifter allows installing using the the original shifter hole in the tunnel.

You could install the base TKX but would have to open up a larger hole in the tunnel for the shifter base and then fab an offset shifter handle. For a T5 install, you have to do this also.

 

I went from a Th400 auto to a TKO600RR 5 speed manual.
I looked at Silver Sports Transmission’s kit and tried to replicate their kit by finding the parts myself to save some money.
Trying to find all the parts to do a auto to manual conversion, buying the TKO separately, paying shipping costs, would have saved me less than $100.00.
Then add in the oh I forgot that, or this isn’t working factors and the actual cost would have been more, and I possibly would have had to modify the trans tunnel to make it all fit.
One thing that I found out talking with the SST Reps is that SST has a deal with Tremec and when SST receives a new Tremec transmission they disassemble it and modify the transmission case to fit in a C3 Corvette and that’s how they guarantee the fit with no tunnel modifications.
Another thing to consider when ordering a kit from SST is that you can order just a base kit from them or you can modify their kit with tons of options they offer.
If you want a different clutch/flywheel combination or driveshaft, or u joint set up, they will build your kit the way you want it.
Their Reps are professionals and can help you design the kit that will serve your needs and make recommendations depending on the hp and tq you are putting in front of it.
I ended up purchasing my kit from Silver Sport Transmission and could not be happier.

 

...just a tidbit here though, the '80 & '81 cars had a removable crossmember whether or not it was a 4spd or automatic car originally.

...also, when I did this to my old '75 probably a decade ago when I replaced the worn out L-82/Turbo 400, I installed a GM Direct Replacement '73-'82 350 4 bolt main 260hp engine for then at $1100 & correct dated '75 Super T10. Was not a bad job, took my time. A friend had to weld in the Z-bar tab on the frame below the master cylinder. Since that car did have a bolt in crossmember, it made it that much easier. Was even able to use the original Turbo 400 driveshaft & u-joints with no modification. I also did use a Hurst Competition Plus shifter. Car was so much more fun to row the gears than the automatic!!!

 

I like this.

 

But it wouldn't cost $500

 

I was quoted over 5K for the SST swap. And my car is a 4-spd car. I found a WC T-5 rebuilt for $700.00 with clutch/pressure plate. So I will need to do the driveshaft mod, speedo cable extension, and trans mount. I believe it will total way less than 5K.

 

How much power/torque can the World Class withstand? I want to go overdrive someday but I have possibly 400 H.P.

 

I really like the internal rail shifting system of the T-5. The OEM Shift linkage on mine is in need of work as reverse is very hard to get. Using the original bellhousing on the car so T-5 offset shifter will need fabbed too.

 

All I can say is I have that HP in my 77 with a 454 and my WC T5 never blinked, either did the unit in my BB 68 prior to this one.
Knees bothering me so had to sell the complete swap last year, would get another WC T5 in a heartbeat if I could.