memphis1967

iTrader: (1)

So, I'm trying to put a 4 speed saginaw into my 84 z-28 that had a T5. I already discovered the saginaw needs the old driveshaft and torque arm, they're about 3" longer. My question now is a torque arm bracket. How do I bolt this torque arm to the trans? I found a bracket for a T5 online, but I'm willing to bet it won't work. Are there supposed to be any bushings in the mount? could i just get some steel and fab a solid mount for it?

Air_Adam

The TA bushing mount I had on my T10 was different from the one I had on the T5 that was in there before it, so 4-spd and 5-spd use different units for sure. If the T10 and Saginaw use different ones, I can't say.

Why are you swapping to a Saginaw 4-spd? I could understand if it was a T10, which is substantially stronger than the T5, but the Sag is the same or worse than the T5 - plus no OD gear..?

memphis1967

iTrader: (1)

The car had no engine or trans when I bought it. The PO included the saginaw, 350 engine, and all the parts from his 82 Z in the deal. I wish I had a better option, but I'm stuck at the moment

memphis1967

iTrader: (1)

does anyone have a picture of how the torque arm mounts to the transmission? I've never even seen how it's supposed to be

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Throw that Saggy in the trash. Cut your losses NOW before wasting any more money on that dead-end booby trap.

Go up to Midtown Auto Parts on Chelsea, just west of McLean on the north side towards the Wolf River. They'll almost certainly have sitting on the shelf, or maybe out in the yard, a MUCH better transmission than that worthless POS you have now. Which would be, a T-5 out of a 88-up V8 Camaro/Firebird. Besides just being an altogether better transmission, it'll fit YOUR car, AS IT IS, without modification. Make sure you get the toque arm bracket thing along with the trans. Shouldn't be a problem to get em to do that.

memphis1967

iTrader: (1)

it's a good thought, but it's about a 12 hour drive for me, i was kinda hoping to find something a little closer to home. And since i have the saggy in my garage, i was hoping to just rig it to work so i can at least drive the car before the snow hits

memphis1967

iTrader: (1)

My original plan was to upgrade to a T5 in the near future, but from what I've been reading on here (yes, a noob that knows how to search) a T5 may or may not hold up to a mildly built 350, and there's always the possibility of me stroking it. Right now, the plan is to get the saginaw to work until i can find and afford a T56 swap. If I'm gonna upgrade, I might as well do it right the first time.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Well too bad you're not in/near Memphis, with a userID like that. Oh well. Maybe you should move there?

VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD plan. And not real wise either.

The Saggy POS won't get you even one step closer to the T-56 than you are now. Not one single piece is the same. NOT ONE!! The pedals don't even interchange. The Saggy is just an expensive difficult disappointing detour that will only cost you time money and effort without bringing you benefits.

If you want a T-56, sell the Saggy to the "next greater fool", and get a T-56. If the car doesn't run now, then you're not losing anything by it not running a little longer. Get what you really want, and don't waste your money on that other. Any penny you spend on that trash will just be one penny less that you'll have available to put toward a T-56... or buy your GF a nice dinner, or pay the rent, or whatever else worthwhile.

memphis1967

iTrader: (1)

"Memphis" refers to nic cage's character in gone in sixty seconds, first car movie I ever watched when i was 14. I put michigan's upper peninsula in my info <==
i already bought a shifter (the wrong one) for just over 100 that I had to modify the levers and linkages to get to work, and the PO told me that it never shifted into second smooth, anyways. Patience is not my strong point, I just want to drive my first V8 car, and my first manual V8. But I'm not denying your advice is sound.

59chevy

I need to know the shift positions on a 4 speed manual , on the side plate. the shift position has one to the left and number two and number 3 are real close to gather toward the back ( like so ) # ##. I did see a picture of one and the shift levers were spread out like ( # # # ) like so. I am trying to use a hurst shifter.

Tobias05

Well, you don't want your first experience in a big bad nasty v8 to SUCK do you?

Sell that transmission to someone with less teeth than yourself and save up for something worth the time and effort.

Trust us.

59chevy

you are probably right it is that we bought the car new and have always had it so just thought we would put it back to original but finding at age 79 I get very little done. just my pet project. what ever I do with it I would like it to be the original tri power with the 4 manual.

82 z man

I am presently taking a four speed out of an original 82 z car. and putting in a t-5. I'll be happy to take photos and send them to you. Note: 3:42 rear end this car runs almost 2500 RPM at 60 MPH. That's why I'm changing to T-5 I have all the pars if you need them. this car has 65000 actual miles.

vasquezmrysvll

iTrader: (5)

im DEEP in the process of removing the 4 speed from my car too. and i have the t10DON'T PUT THE SAG IN! it will break. i love my t10. but my commute doesnt. goodluck