Which 5-speed trans?
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Which 5-speed trans?
Which 5-speed transmission are people putting in their cars? What cars are they originally installed in?
I'm not exactly planning it, but since I need to drop my trans I'm definitely going "hmmmm......."
I'm not exactly planning it, but since I need to drop my trans I'm definitely going "hmmmm......."
Instructor
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From: Kaysville Utah
Re: Which 5-speed trans? (ddecart)
In my opinon a 5 speed doesn't have a place in a corvette. Chevy never put a 5 speed in a vette because they never made one strong enough. They jumped from the 4 speed to the 6 speed. If you're going the aftermarket route then you may as well spend a little more and get the 6 speed. You'll love the overdrive if you ever take long trips. :chevy
Instructor
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From: Kaysville Utah
Re: Which 5-speed trans? (ddecart)
The Camaros and Firebirds came with 5 speeds for a few years but they weren't ever put in corvettes. I suppose if you really wanted a GM 5 speed then that is where you would look.
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From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Re: Which 5-speed trans? (ddecart)
Dave, you have a choice of the Richmond (Doug Nash) or Tremec 5 speeds. The Richmond has better gearing between 4 and 5, at a cost of 1:1 in 5th, compared to the OD on the Tremec.
Either tranny will hold up if you refrain from the violent power shifts.
Either tranny will hold up if you refrain from the violent power shifts.
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Re: Which 5-speed trans? (GDaina)
Thanks George. I've seen the Richmonds and while they look like nice tranny's, they require a rear gear change to get any OD benefit out of them.
Is the Tremec an OE trans? The Richmond is purely aftermarket, isn't it?
Is the Tremec an OE trans? The Richmond is purely aftermarket, isn't it?
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Which 5-speed trans? (ddecart)
I ran a T5 for a year, loved it but stepped up to the Tremec because of it's added beef.
As DGaina said avoid power shifting any transmission. Power doesn't kill them but abuse does them in.
I like my overdrive since even with 308 gears I still need want lower rpm on the expressway.
As DGaina said avoid power shifting any transmission. Power doesn't kill them but abuse does them in.
I like my overdrive since even with 308 gears I still need want lower rpm on the expressway.
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From: Ann Arbor MI
Re: Which 5-speed trans? (norvalwilhelm)
As always, it depends on your budget.
The 5-speed Tremec has the overdrive. Keisler Automotive Engineeing has a nice package, but, beware the lead time is LONG and getting someone to call you back is almost impossible.
I should be receving mine this week.
The 5-speed Tremec has the overdrive. Keisler Automotive Engineeing has a nice package, but, beware the lead time is LONG and getting someone to call you back is almost impossible.
I should be receving mine this week.
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From: Plano TX
Re: Which 5-speed trans? (1971Ultra)
The OEM T5's used in Camaros and Firebirds were pretty weak. They're probably OK behind a small block and if you avoid powershifting. The Tremec TKO is aftermarket only and loosely based on the T5. It is a very strong tranny that lives fine behind big-blocks. I have one and love it.
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Re: Which 5-speed trans? (zwede)
Thanks Markus. That helps. I was wondering what the source for the trans was as much as which trans people were using.
Has anyone done a 6-speed install? I think there's a ROD 6-speed. I'm wondering if a late-model C4 or C/F trans would work.
Has anyone done a 6-speed install? I think there's a ROD 6-speed. I'm wondering if a late-model C4 or C/F trans would work.
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From: The Motor City
Re: Which 5-speed trans? (ddecart)
Dave,
I have a T5 sitting in the garage that you can probably have pretty cheap. It is a M49 (98+ V6 F-body) so it'll need a bellhousing to bolt up to a V8. If Norval says it'll hold as long as you don't beat on it, it could be a pretty cheap swap. IM me if you're at all interested and I can fill you in on how I ended up with it.
-Matt
I have a T5 sitting in the garage that you can probably have pretty cheap. It is a M49 (98+ V6 F-body) so it'll need a bellhousing to bolt up to a V8. If Norval says it'll hold as long as you don't beat on it, it could be a pretty cheap swap. IM me if you're at all interested and I can fill you in on how I ended up with it.
-Matt
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Which 5-speed trans? (Scooter70)
It is a M49 (98+ V6 F-body) so it'll need a bellhousing to bolt up to a V8. If Norval says it'll hold as long as you don't beat on it,
Scooter70 I don't know about this. The 6 cylinder T5's were different then the V8's. For one thing the input shaft is longer plus the pilot bearing a little smaller. This puts force on the thrust bearing.
I know a guy running the 6 cylinder version on his nitrous 355 and powershifts constantly going through 4 sets of back tires per year but he also blows about one 6 cylinder T5 yearly.
The T5 I used was from a mustang. I also have one in my 355 nitrous mustang that I have slick on and a roll cage and it has never given me a problem. I also interchange some parts between the mustang T5 and the chevy T5 so I assume there strength would be the same. Some of the mustang T5's are rated at 330 FT LBS and that rating is based on 24 hours of continuous input. 1st never blows. It is always power shifting into 3rd.
Scooter70 I don't know about this. The 6 cylinder T5's were different then the V8's. For one thing the input shaft is longer plus the pilot bearing a little smaller. This puts force on the thrust bearing.
I know a guy running the 6 cylinder version on his nitrous 355 and powershifts constantly going through 4 sets of back tires per year but he also blows about one 6 cylinder T5 yearly.
The T5 I used was from a mustang. I also have one in my 355 nitrous mustang that I have slick on and a roll cage and it has never given me a problem. I also interchange some parts between the mustang T5 and the chevy T5 so I assume there strength would be the same. Some of the mustang T5's are rated at 330 FT LBS and that rating is based on 24 hours of continuous input. 1st never blows. It is always power shifting into 3rd.
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Re: Which 5-speed trans? (norvalwilhelm)
So is the F-car T5 the same "form factor" as the aftermarket Tremec? If one fits, so will the other?
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From: B'Ville NY
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Re: Which 5-speed trans? (zwede)
The OEM T5's used in Camaros and Firebirds were pretty weak. They're probably OK behind a small block and if you avoid powershifting. The Tremec TKO is aftermarket only and loosely based on the T5. It is a very strong tranny that lives fine behind big-blocks. I have one and love it.
Dave I have the Tremec TKO that I installed just before the Cruise-in 2 years ago and it was a dream to drive on the highway. The TKO is a very smooth shifting trans as well :yesnod: I did consider the 6spds as well, but decided I really didn't need 2 O/D gears, even with my 3.90 (probably just a fear of my engine loading up :crazy: ), but I've been very pleased w/ the results of the 5 spd.
:cheers:
Burning Brakes
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From: Silver Spring, Md.
Re: Which 5-speed trans? (ddecart)
Here's some general info that might be of help: http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/techref.html
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From: Brighton MI
Re: Which 5-speed trans? (ddecart)
Is the Tremec an OE trans?
ddcart, I have a new TKO still in the box that will be going into my 72 convertible when the time comes. I'm just down Grand River from you so you are welcome to come over and take a look at it if you like.
I also have an 89 Formula Firebird with the 230hp 305 TPI motor in front of a W/C T-5. It's got over 90k on it (including a stint as an SCCA parking lot racer) and the original trans is still going strong. They will live if you don't shift it like you're TRYING to break it. :smash:
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From: The Motor City
Re: Which 5-speed trans? (norvalwilhelm)
Scooter70 I don't know about this. The 6 cylinder T5's were different then the V8's. For one thing the input shaft is longer plus the pilot bearing a little smaller. This puts force on the thrust bearing.