Okay, so after riding in a 72 with a 5 speed, I want one so bad I can't stand it! I have a 77, with currently a th350 in it. 4:11s. I understand that tremec makes the kit, but it is very expensive. I've seen alot of info on here about the t5s. Would love to get advice from some one, and help piecing the kit together it takes for the install. I am handy, and equipped with necessary tools. Or advice on any other alternative to the 4500 dollar kit that is available. Posted this in the general section too

 

drive one with a 6 speed and you will want one even that much more.

 

Lol never been in one. That much different from a 5speed?

 

with 4.11 gears- the 6 speed double overdrive gears are about right.

The lowest 1st gear in a T5 -IIRC is 2.95-which would make 1st gear pretty useless...

Here's a ratio guide-

http://www.britishv8.org/articles/bo...t5-id-tags.htm

That being said- I did my swap (4 speed muncie) to Chevy Camaro T5 - for about $600. I have 3.55 gears.

About $300 trans on eBay- new seals- didn't need a rebuild- made the 17º mount mod- driveshaft shortened- gear shift lever 02-04 Cobra and then modded it- had the mechanical speedo w/ the right gears in it-had an almost new clutch and PP- new TO using the mechanical linkage and hadthe flywheel resurfaced. Had the motor out -so I didn't mod the x-member.

 

Try one with a 6 Speed

When I converted my 78 TH350 there was no one making a complete kit, So I sourced parts from a few vendors.

Here is my upgrade story.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html

There is a company SST that is offering complete kits. It may be worth speaking to them for your 5 speed or 6 speed options.

 

I've located non world class t5 for a decent deal. It was in a Camaro. Should non world class be a deal breaker?

 

The kit is well over 4500, I was trying to avoid that price

 

A T56 magnum Transmission is $3000+ alone (new)

Then you will need to source previously owned parts.

I would still look at using hydraulic clutch system and avoid the Z-Bar mess. This allows for future header clearence without the mess.

 

I searched and waited for a while and ended up sourcing a used T56 for $1000 on craigslist. More work/time than the kit, but that is an expensive kit.

 

T56 at the swap meet $900 (just rebuilt) $200 to local shop to verify it was rebuilt and OK, easily installed behind my LS1. 4:11 rear, in first about 3 seconds, just enough to freak out the WRX owners,
5 years, no issues,

Happy Motoring,
Frank

 

Like others say you may not need to spend $4,500
Put a new TKO in my GTO 3:55 gears much better car.
T 5s are ok until you start making big horse power

 

I feel your pain..I would love to put a 5 speed in my 78, but for the money these vendors want for the conversion kits, not a chance....I will eventually source what I need buying used stuff as some have stated, when I have time, and hope to do the whole deal for about $1,000. Can someone help me understand why no one sells kits with rebuilt 5/6 speed tranny's for about $2k-2.5K? I would consider that range but no way 4500-$5,000 for a kit...crazy.

 

If you plan on this project < $1000 then someone would be willing to give parts away. I have seen post with people doing this buy selling the old removed parts and the total cost around $1700 with used parts. But the cost of the transmission + rebuild will be @ $1000 for most. Oh the cost of the clutch ( not sure I would use a used one here )

If you think the kits @ $4500 are correct guess again add a bit more to get the job done.

example my TH350 to T56 Magnum conversion came in @ $6400 (CDN) . It was not a complete kit, but everything a kit should contain can be made up from 3 sources.

If you already have a manual tranny it will be a little less because you dont need to add the clutch pedal.

Also build / modify your own crossmember

Dont use a Hydraulic Clutch ( Z-bar etc ).

I dont see how any company could offer a kit in that price range and stay in business based on the cost and list of parts alone.

Off the top of my head list.

Transmission
Shifter (offset)
Crossmember
Electrical connections
Clutch / pressure plates / Bearings
Drive shafts / yokes / U-joints
Exhaust changes ( might get lucky here )
Hydraulic Clutch / Z-bar. ( if changing from auto )
Interior console cover plate.
Speedo gear changes.

I would think a kit based on the rebuild transmission would still require $3000+ for a good profit margin to stay in business.

Maybe on the low end of $2500 for the least desirable 5 Speed Transmission Models.

 

Thanks!

You are probably correct that a kit is probably 5,500-$6,000 for all the misc parts too. Even $3,500 for a decent used/rebuilt kit would be reasonable. I spent $6K rebuilding my L-82 into a modern powerful engine for a car that don't drive much...my choice, of course, but cant seem to swallow the $6K for a 5 speed swap now even though I have the stock 4 speed Super T-10 already. Maybe if I could source the 5 speed for cheap money, I could buy all the separate misc parts and liver with the cost.

 

5spd oughta be plenty think Ive used 6th all of 2 or 3 times and that was just to see how it acted which it didnt like-had to be going 80 that was with a 26 in tire and 4.11 so I wasnt lugging it.

 

Still Don't know why more don't do what I am doing. Used Richmond from a forum member for $650.00. Had it gone through by Paul at 5speeds and all was well with new syncro's and maybe a little of his magic. Swap to 3.08's in the rear. You automatic guys probably already have the 3.08's. I have my cruise rpm's down now, maybe not as low as some want, but low enough that my cam will be happy. I am cruising in a strong, direct gear, instead of those weaker overdrive gears for when I do some track days. I have a true close ratio transmission, which none of these over drives are. It bolts in to where my Muncie was with just a mount modification. Tranny should hold into the near 700 hp range without abusing it. All for just a little over 1200 dollars if you try to keep it down. I have driven two Richmonds, and they both shifted just as well as any T56 I have driven or owned, and better than the one TKO I have driven. They all shift pretty well if you have the right clutch and take the time to blueprint all the geometry involved. I just think sometimes these things are over thought. I certainly can't see the need for 2 overdrive gears, and the Richmond is much stronger than a T5.

Oh and there is certainly nothing wrong with the old mechanical linkage. Amazing what new parts will do to eliminate the sloppy vague feeling.

 

Did you use your stock differential case with the 4.11 gears?

 

I'm in the middle of a T5 build. All in my cost will probably be around $1,000... give or take a few hundred bucks.

I'm using an aftermarket Tremec Z-spec T5 designed for a 93 Mustang Cobra. Also sold as a Ford Racing T5. It's a heavy duty T5 with better internals than standard T5. I'll continue to use my mechanical clutch as it works well and causes me no issues.

 

I have thought about the T5 route as well and have read others that have done this conversion for about $1,000. I and others would love to read a detailed post about exactly what you did and where you got the parts when you are through....Thanks

 

"There is a company SST that is offering complete kits. It may be worth speaking to them for your 5 speed or 6 speed options."

I just bought and installed SSTs TKO-600 kit in my '81. I had SST install carbon fiber synchros and brass fork pads. I removed the DANA and replaced it with the a rear end from a '77, bolted with some mods, to the bat wing. The kit was not cheap but it included everything and it all was brand spanking new. Its the little parts that are a pain to to get like the right speedo gear, pedal assembly, drive shaft, clutch/flywheel...... Its all gonna work wonderfully when the ZZ6 arrives later this Spring. Call Ben at SST and you might find its worth the $$ in the long run.