Ok here is the deal. I have an 82 trans am, originally a 305 small block chevy, with a 4 speed.. I got it as a roller. I had an older 350 sbc to put into it. Then i got an 84 camaro with a 5 speed to pull the tranny from and use in the trans am. Now the two main problems at this point. The crossmember off the camaro doesnt fit on the trans am, and i cannot find out what crossmembers fit on my 82. I look around online and find crossmembers listed for sale for 82 and up firebirds/trans am AND camaros, so what is the deal with the crossmember not fitting on my trans am? The reason is its too short, like where it bolts to the frame of the car, its not long enough. Second is, which starter do i use? This motor is originally set up for an auto trans, ive already got the 5 speed all bolted up to it, i never got a starter with it so i cant match it up, all i know is the auto starter isnt even close to fitting. Any help would be great, as i am getting impatient with this thing. I cant find any info online or calling places i cant seem to get any answers with it.

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

The T5 is longer than the transmissions used in 1982. Since the frame rails form a "V", narrowing at the rear, this means the later crossmembers are shorter.

The front bolt holes on the T5 crossmember line up with the back holes in the '82 frame members. So, use those two holes, and match drill the back ones in the frame members. You'll have to get a nut up inside the frame member, I recommend welding a nut onto a piece of 1/8" steel strap and fish that up into the frame member from the large holes further forward.

I just went through this with Berlinetta #2, and previously did it (not quite as described above, with less satisfactory results) on Berlinetta #1.

An '83-'92 5-speed manual starter is what you need to get.

Thanks for the welcome, and for the info.

So are you saying that i can use the crossmember off the 84 camaro, that it should go in with one set of holes, but drill out the others? If i remember right, it did not look like it would fit by going up just that far to bolt in like you stated. I could be wrong, and ill have another look.

But the tranny should mount up with no more modification than drilling the extra hole, right?

So for those years, does it matter what engine size the starter is off of? Any v8, or maybe v6 too? And any 5 speed car?


Thanks in advance.
I will post up if i get anything figured out, or even if i dont.

Ok i checked the crossmember out. And your right, it does work like that and looks to line up great.

Now my problem is one of the bolts is broke off where i need to put a bolt. Its broke off in there.. I finally got a hole drilled in it. I broke off a reverse bit thing trying to get it out also. So im not sure how im going to get the damn thing out.

EDIT: One more thing i just found out. The rubber trans mount or whatever between the trans and the crossmember is broken. So now another part i need to get.

By the way this is not a nice car, its mostly just a beater car kinda, to get my around. Ill post some pics up of it later on if anyone is interested.

I did an automatic to t5 swap on an 87 z28 and didn't touch the starter. It's the same in those years.

Really? That sounds very odd. My auto starter is not even close to fitting. But then again, my engine is originally out of an older chevy van, with an auto. I wish my starter would just fit on it, but unfortunately it does not.

Ok so i asked for a starter at napa, they need to know if i have a G, or an H.. Now how in the hell do i find that out? I think he said the last of the VIN number or something, but seeing as how its not the original motor or trans, i have no clue.

Well i actually asked for a starter for an 84 Camaro with 305 or 350 in it. And he wanted to know if it was G, or H. How can i find out which one i need? What does that letter represent, or stand for?

It's the 8th character of the VIN. "G" stands for the "HO" 305, aka L69. "H" stands for the base 305, aka LG4.

The T5 starter will fit an auto, but not the other way around. I have heard of outfits selling all T5 starters since they fit both. But, there shouldn't be any difference between L69 & LG4 for the same type of transmission.

So does that mean i should be able to fit either of the G or H starters to my set up?

If you get a starter for a "1984 Camaro 305 manual transmission", it will work.

They only asked you for the VIN code because the computer asks them before they get to the part you're trying to get, and the counter guy doesn't know whether or not it matters.

Ok haha thanks.. I might get one from there, or i might just get a used on at the junk yard. Depending on prices.

So i have a problem. I havent searched online for answers yet, but i finally got my clutch linkage all hooked up, using the hydraulic clutch stuff off the camaro in the trans am. Its not working. I filled it with dot 3 brake fluid as it says on the cap. Not doing anything. I saw it suck fluid in the little reservoir.. But nothing.. The pedal moves freely, as pretty easily.. Any ideas? My luck the stupid hydraulic clutch thing is junk and i need a new one now..

You need to bleed the clutch. Just like you need to bleed brakes.

How exactly do i go about doing that? I see some online say there is a bleed screw, but i dont see one on my set up.

I don't know T5's to that detail. You should be able to find the answer on the Transmission and Drivetrain forum.

So the starter on this thing, is it possible to use a starter off of an 87 camaro? The junk yard in town only has that starter. I got it, and it looked really close, but it didnt quite fit in the bell housing it seemed like. Im assuming ill have to go with a previous year starter to fit? Cant just grind some off the starter nose or bell housing? Haha.. But we did bring the starter back already, so i dont know.

Also, anyone got any tips/tricks to getting the damn torque arm (i think its called that) in place? Its the big bar from the rear end that goes to the tranny along side the drive shaft. I had to use the one off the camaro parts car as it was a little different length and the way it was shaped was opposite to the TA one. Its bolted to the rear end, i just cant get it into the rubber mount piece on the tranny.

To the best of my knowledge, T5 starters didn't change year-to-year. But, my knowledge is probably limited there.

Did you unbolt the torque arm mount shell? The mount should be slid onto the torque arm, not slide the torque arm into the mount.

Hmm, Maybe i should have looked at it longer, instead of just seeing it didnt quite fit in there, damn i should have looked at it more before taking it back. If i can find some more info stating whether or not the starters should be the same, maybe ill go back and get it haha..

No, the mount on the trans is like two pieces, it like splits in half, and thats how im trying to put it on. I can try to get pics if that doenst sount like the normal set up for it or something.

Ok update, the car is up and running.. Not street ready but its running and driving...

I recently found that the parts camaro had a smaller radiator than my 82 TA.. thinking it could originalyl be a v6.. So had me worried about the trans being for a v6 not the 305 or 350.. How can i know for sure if the trans is for a v8 or not?

Did the transmission input shaft fit into a V8 clutch disk?

Yes, it's a V8 transmission.

No, it's smaller than the V8 clutch disk, it's a V6 transmission.

I couldnt tell you. All of the parts came off the same car, minus the engine. The car came with a v8 engine, im almost positive its not original. So no idea if the clutch or anything is original or what its for/from.

But i can tell you it all bolted up to my 350 as it should. So im assuming all the parts are for a 350..

Also i did check the VIN on the car and it was an H so im pretty sure the car should have been a 305 originally, but no telling if the trans is original, but most likely it is.

I meant to say the parts were prolly all off of a 305 not a 350.. There was no 350 in that year im pretty sure.

Either way, I thought you might like to see some pics of it. Its nothing pretty, just to drive around and have some fun in.