T-5 tranny
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: The Dirty, Dirty South
T-5 tranny
There are a lot of these around. Are they worth looking into? I've found f-body T-5s, S-10 T-5s and Rustang T-5s, will they all fit and work? I'm also looking at 2004Rs from BTO, but the price difference is significant. My Vette is currently automatic (TH350) and I understand pedals are hard to come by. Any advice and opinions welcome, I'm just tired of 3000-3500 rpm cruising and I do alot of highway driving to and from work.
Thanks in advance,
Thanks in advance,
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,454
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Originally Posted by rcread
I had a T5 in an F-body ages ago (a 1985 Trans Am). I seem to remember it being rated to 18 hp or thereabouts (wasn't a problem with the 12 hp 305 but it might be with your Corvette).
There was a REASON why GM didn't offer th T5 w/ the L98 350.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 498
From: Chino Hills CA
They made a tons of T5 during the last 20 years to fit everything from Jeeps to Astro Vans. (there's several web sites that explains the differences) but basically there's world class and non-world class. I've used both behind mild SBC's. The best one is the WC unit used in V8 Camaros and Firebirds. Rated at 320 ft-lb with a .63 OD, it'll last a long time if you don't abuse it. The best thing is that it is almost a bolt-in and the shifter is the right distance back to come up in the right place in your C3 console, albeit a couple of inches to the right, which can be fixed by welding a dogleg on the stick. ( I used a Hurst stick which looks betters that the cheap looking Camaro tube.) All that's left is to weld up a rear support using a couple of pieces of angle iron, get your driveshaft shortened about 1 1/2 inches, and do a little tunnel cutting. 70 mph cruising will go from 3000 rpm to 1900. 100 mph is 2500.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: The Dirty, Dirty South
I don't race or slam gears, just regular driving with the occasional adrenaline runs. I think I'll do a little more research, but I really miss having a manual tranny. I looked at the TKO, but 5 grand is a little steep for a car I only paid 4 grand for. The only mods I've done is a XE262, a RPM manifold, Edelbrock 1406 and headers, I don't think I'm running a huge amount of HP or torque. Thanks for the replies, now I'm off to search for that Mustang thread...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Almost done with my W/C t5 swap, need tie up some loose ends like shifter handle postion and trans tunnel interference, but it went pretty smooth and the o/d is great on the e-way. I got a used trans with a bad 4th gear syncro so I need to pull and rebuild it. As long as you do not power shift or try burnouts with real stickey tires the trans should be a good fit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
I am about ready to start the process with a ford T5. You need to fab a 1/2 inch thick adapter from the bellhousing to the engine to make the ford T5 work. Norval described it in a thread I ran a week or so ago. Should be a great swap.
Bernie
Bernie
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
New ideal? ? ? ? ?
Originally Posted by lowbuck72
... and do a little tunnel cutting. 70 mph cruising will go from 3000 rpm to 1900. 100 mph is 2500.
I'm pretty tired of the 3000-3500 cruising too, 1900 - 2500 sounds great! I have been looking at the 700-R4 and have been wanting to do something with a manual tranny.
I have posted a few times about a new tranny and wanted to run something new past the group.
A friend of mine and I were talking about the American Hot Rod episode where they did the electronic tranny. I guess it shifts/clutches with a single wire (or a couple maybe). Then we took our 'BS-ing' design ideals to the next level, what about paddles on the stearing wheel?
Has anyone any ideal about what company does the electric shift kits or trannies? Seems like a cool ideal, there would be no need to vabricate a pedal, and I am unsure about cutting tunnels etc...
