Transmissions and Drivetrain Need help with your trans? Problems with your axle?

'83 T5 worthwhile?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-18-2011, 07:32 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
DizzTransAm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Desert Hot Springs, CA
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: '83 & '84 T/As
'83 T5 worthwhile?

Local junkyard just put in a '83 305 'bird complete with a t5. Considering everything is there (and on 1/2 off day trannie and everything would be about $200) this would be a excellent swap for my CFI car but I've heard early T5s are junk, so is it worthwhile pulling the set up for my swap?
Old 08-18-2011, 08:08 PM
  #2  
Guest
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Re: '83 T5 worthwhile?

The supply of V8 F-car T5s is so short, and they're getting destroyed so fast, that any rebuildable one should bring $300+ easy.
I wouldn't be as trusting of a pre-'88 T5 behind a healthy 350, even with the best overhaul, like Hanlon or D&D, but I'd still be happy to score one for $200.
I'd be first in line tomorrow morning, to start removing it, even if tomorrow isn't half price day. Score the trans itself, and the bellhousing, tomorrow. All the other stuff can wait, since it can come from the V6 versions.
Old 08-18-2011, 09:37 PM
  #3  
jmd
Supreme Member

iTrader: (4)
 
jmd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Aridzona
Posts: 6,288
Received 42 Likes on 41 Posts
Car: `86 SS / `87 SS
Engine: L69 w/ TPI on top / 305 4bbl
Transmission: `95 T56 \ `88 200-4R
Re: '83 T5 worthwhile?

I ran an '84 T5 for a few thousand miles until I scored an '88 box.

You could run the mechanical clutch stuff but the hydraulic stuff from a later year is preferable. I've run both.

You're right; it's a good opportunity to cheaply do the swap and get all the little bits and pieces until a hydraulic car comes to the 'yard. Pedal swapping sucks; the rest is easy.
Old 08-20-2011, 05:13 PM
  #4  
Member
Thread Starter
 
DizzTransAm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Desert Hot Springs, CA
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: '83 & '84 T/As
Re: '83 T5 worthwhile?

May as well ask this too; if the rear end worth taking for about $80? its got disc brakes and posi but i'm not sure of the ratio ('83; no rpos in console)
Old 08-20-2011, 07:22 PM
  #5  
jmd
Supreme Member

iTrader: (4)
 
jmd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Aridzona
Posts: 6,288
Received 42 Likes on 41 Posts
Car: `86 SS / `87 SS
Engine: L69 w/ TPI on top / 305 4bbl
Transmission: `95 T56 \ `88 200-4R
Re: '83 T5 worthwhile?

could be 3.73.

Read some posts on here about the 82-88 rear discs (not so great) vs. the 89-up discs (bigger; alum. calipers; better)
Old 08-21-2011, 09:17 AM
  #6  
Guest
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Re: '83 T5 worthwhile?

Check the VIN. If it has an H for the engine digit, then the axle should be 3.23:1. If the letter is G, then it should be 3.73:1.
But more accurately, just pup the rear cover off the axle, and turn the ring gear until you see either 11:41 or 13:42. Or something else.
41 divided by 11 = 3.73
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
thefirebirdm@n
South Central Region
3
09-14-2015 01:45 PM
LFN AT U
NW Indiana and South Chicago Suburb
20
05-14-2003 01:19 PM
fattie92
Carburetors
5
10-06-2002 10:01 PM
Slade1
Third Gen Association of Ontario
25
09-27-2002 09:00 PM



Quick Reply: '83 T5 worthwhile?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:10 PM.