Lets Talk Transmissions
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
Lets Talk Transmissions
Hey guys,
The 700R4 that is currently in my 1982 Vette is in need of a rebuild. I always wanted a manual vette and I think this would be the perfect opportunity to convert over. I was considering the T-5 Borg Warner Transmission for its adaptability to many different vehicles. Does this transmission happen to fit a Corvette also? If not, what other types of 5 and 6 speeds may I want to consider? I would like to contain it to $1000 if possible and am going to do everything from the rebuild to installation myself. I haven't yet decided if I will keep my stock 350 and work it, rebuild it or another 350, or save and convert to the LS1. In any event my goal horsepower is 400hp, and I will be keeping a SBC in the car. I am looking for a transmission that will work with good low end power, and still have a 5th or 6th gear for crusing on the highway. Thanks for the advice,
Dan
The 700R4 that is currently in my 1982 Vette is in need of a rebuild. I always wanted a manual vette and I think this would be the perfect opportunity to convert over. I was considering the T-5 Borg Warner Transmission for its adaptability to many different vehicles. Does this transmission happen to fit a Corvette also? If not, what other types of 5 and 6 speeds may I want to consider? I would like to contain it to $1000 if possible and am going to do everything from the rebuild to installation myself. I haven't yet decided if I will keep my stock 350 and work it, rebuild it or another 350, or save and convert to the LS1. In any event my goal horsepower is 400hp, and I will be keeping a SBC in the car. I am looking for a transmission that will work with good low end power, and still have a 5th or 6th gear for crusing on the highway. Thanks for the advice,
Dan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
Several people have installed the ford T5 five speed in their vettes with very good results. This tranny is good up to 300 ft pounds of torque, but Norval has run this tranny with a 600 H.P. blown engine without problems. I am currently making the swap myself and will be into it for around $1,000.00. The T5 has a 3.36 1st gear which is great for acceleration and a .68 over drive 5th gear. With a 3:55 rear end it will decrease your rpm at 70 mph from 3,200 to approx 2,200 rpm. If your rear end has a taller gear, your rpms will be less. Search for the T5 thread to see what is needed. This is one of several swaps you can do and probably the only one for the money you want to spend, unless you get very lucky.
Bernie
Bernie
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
Hey Bernie,
Keep in touch. I am interested to see how your swap goes. Sounded like a decent idea when I first got into it. I'm not sure what gears are in the vette currently,... I do know that their stock; probably 3.08's. I'll most likely move to the 3.55's later or maybe the 3.73's. 2200RPM@70MPH would be perfect! Is the Borg Warner and the Mustang Transmission the same?
Dan
Keep in touch. I am interested to see how your swap goes. Sounded like a decent idea when I first got into it. I'm not sure what gears are in the vette currently,... I do know that their stock; probably 3.08's. I'll most likely move to the 3.55's later or maybe the 3.73's. 2200RPM@70MPH would be perfect! Is the Borg Warner and the Mustang Transmission the same?
Dan
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 7
From: Ontario
I just converted from Auto to T5. It is sooooo much fun to drive a stick..... and that deep T5 1st gear is very very cool. I am amazed at how the stick changed the entire performance and personality of the car. There are several good choices out there, but for me the T5 was excellent value.
On T56's. I would not be able to realistically use a 6th gear. Especially with a good cam reving too low lugs the engine. You could put 4:11's in the diff to try and make 6th usable, but then your 1st gear gets tool low...shifting into 2nd almost immeditaly.
On T56's. I would not be able to realistically use a 6th gear. Especially with a good cam reving too low lugs the engine. You could put 4:11's in the diff to try and make 6th usable, but then your 1st gear gets tool low...shifting into 2nd almost immeditaly.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by carguy4sure
On T56's. I would not be able to realistically use a 6th gear. Especially with a good cam reving too low lugs the engine. You could put 4:11's in the diff to try and make 6th usable, but then your 1st gear gets tool low...shifting into 2nd almost immeditaly.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
The T5 Sounds like a decent choice, especially for the price. Now I would need to know which is the best year and model to get and what car should I hunt for it in? I noticed a forum posted on here from a few weeks ago that was very helpful. It was pretty much a full break down of how to install a particular T5 in a corvette. I have a 1982 Cross-Fire Injection Vette. Which models would be the easiest to put into the car and would require the least modification, and what car should I be hunthing for one in?
Dan
Dan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
Dan,
Look for one that has at least 300 ft pounds of torque and the 3:36 first gear. They were made from 90 thru 95 I think. Carguy4sure posted a thread that listed the serial numbers to look for. Check the threads on his swap to find it. If you choose this route we have plenty of info to make it painless for you. The T56 is a good choice too, but harder to find and more expensive; I almost went that way.
Bernie
Look for one that has at least 300 ft pounds of torque and the 3:36 first gear. They were made from 90 thru 95 I think. Carguy4sure posted a thread that listed the serial numbers to look for. Check the threads on his swap to find it. If you choose this route we have plenty of info to make it painless for you. The T56 is a good choice too, but harder to find and more expensive; I almost went that way.
Bernie