View Poll Results: Yes or no on the $1,500 hawks motor sports complete t5 swap kit.
Yessir
2
33.33%
Don’t do it
4
66.67%
Voters: 6. You may not vote on this poll
Hawks t5 transmission kit
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Hawks t5 transmission kit
Hey there, I have a 350 swapped 86 z with the 700r4 on its way out(I think 🤔 and I found a complete t5 swap from hawks motor sports and I was wondering if it’s trustworthy. I’m not rich and it’s my daily driver, so I don’t want to be in and out of every shop on the east coast with a $0.00 bank balance. I ask if you do not recommend Hawks that you might give me your insight or personal experience. Thx for your time I will attempt to attach link. https://www.hawksmotorsports.com/82-92-camaro-firebird-t-5-v8-5-speed-conversion-kit/
#2
Member
Re: Hawks t5 transmission kit
Hawks is usually pretty good to deal with. That kit is pretty complete but used parts. Hydros are probably pretty old and the trans may be questionable. I'd ask them how well the check that stuff. I don't know how easy it will be to price together a setup for less. I'd also look into shipping. I have an 83 t5 and all the mech clutch stuff I'm gonna put up for sale. It's all in great shape but it's not ideal for your car. I'd probably jump on the hawks stuff. It's complete. I'd put a new clutch in while you're there.
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Re: Hawks t5 transmission kit
Hawks is usually pretty good to deal with. That kit is pretty complete but used parts. Hydros are probably pretty old and the trans may be questionable. I'd ask them how well the check that stuff. I don't know how easy it will be to price together a setup for less. I'd also look into shipping. I have an 83 t5 and all the mech clutch stuff I'm gonna put up for sale. It's all in great shape but it's not ideal for your car. I'd probably jump on the hawks stuff. It's complete. I'd put a new clutch in while you're there.
#4
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Re: Hawks t5 transmission kit
As you may or may not know, there are two versions of the T5 that will fit our cars. The version you want, which is the one used in the later year cars, goes by the sappy corporate buzzword "World Class".
I would make damned sure I was getting the "World Class" unit, if I were considering this swap........
I would make damned sure I was getting the "World Class" unit, if I were considering this swap........
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Re: Hawks t5 transmission kit
As you may or may not know, there are two versions of the T5 that will fit our cars. The version you want, which is the one used in the later year cars, goes by the sappy corporate buzzword "World Class".
I would make damned sure I was getting the "World Class" unit, if I were considering this swap........
I would make damned sure I was getting the "World Class" unit, if I were considering this swap........
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OrangeBird (06-17-2023)
#6
Senior Member
Re: Hawks t5 transmission kit
If this is true you should NOT attempt to swap like this or waste money on any "mods". You will be money ahead and more sure of a dependable driving car for the future by just paying a reputable shop to rebuild your automatic. OR you can forge ahead and see your third gen join the millions of others rotting away in a yard from some half finished project that didnt go as expected....
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Re: Hawks t5 transmission kit
If this is true you should NOT attempt to swap like this or waste money on any "mods". You will be money ahead and more sure of a dependable driving car for the future by just paying a reputable shop to rebuild your automatic. OR you can forge ahead and see your third gen join the millions of others rotting away in a yard from some half finished project that didnt go as expected....
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#8
Member
Re: Hawks t5 transmission kit
When I did my car, I had all the parts and swapped it over in a weekend. It's wasn't that bad. If you have all of the stuff you should be good. The brake pedal swap is a pain and probably the most miserable part. You can swap that stuff prior to the trans. You can swap the pedals and get the clutch master all set while it's still an auto. That way all you need to do is pull the trans/flex plate. Cut the floor and deal w the wires. Then put the manual stuff in. It's pretty easy.
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Re: Hawks t5 transmission kit
When I did my car, I had all the parts and swapped it over in a weekend. It's wasn't that bad. If you have all of the stuff you should be good. The brake pedal swap is a pain and probably the most miserable part. You can swap that stuff prior to the trans. You can swap the pedals and get the clutch master all set while it's still an auto. That way all you need to do is pull the trans/flex plate. Cut the floor and deal w the wires. Then put the manual stuff in. It's pretty easy.
#10
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Re: Hawks t5 transmission kit
As for the world class vs non-world class, the differences are negligible. My non-world class is doing just fine behind my 400+ hp small block.
#11
Member
Re: Hawks t5 transmission kit
I kind of agree w the normal t5 holding up but I have no experience w the world class version. I had mine behind a zz4 for a while. It held up well. I'm sure if you beat the hell out of it it will fail. I'd just make sure what ever trans you get is solid.
I'd make sure the cross member to frame bolts are able to be loosened with out breaking. If they're rusted and you need to deal w that or tue nuts loosing up inside the frame it's better to deal with prior to the swap. This way you have less down time.
I'd make sure the cross member to frame bolts are able to be loosened with out breaking. If they're rusted and you need to deal w that or tue nuts loosing up inside the frame it's better to deal with prior to the swap. This way you have less down time.
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RedLeader289 (06-19-2023)
#12
Member
iTrader: (11)
Re: Hawks t5 transmission kit
I've had good experience with Hawk's but I would be prepared to replace at least some of the stuff they send with the swap kit.
I bought their T56 swap kit awhile ago, similar idea as the T5 kit in that it's mostly used components. Since they advertise the clutch and flywheel as used, I reached out and asked if they'd knock a few bucks off the price and shipping to leave those parts out, which they were willing to do. Took a gamble on the hydraulics, but you may want to purchase those new as well. I also bought new high-quality flywheel bolts (you do NOT want those shearing off). They were able to confirm the year of the transmission and give me a bit of info about the donor car, which was apparently totaled in a t-bone collision.
If you follow my route, you're looking at the cost of the kit, plus the cost of (at least) the clutch, flywheel, hydraulics, and flywheel bolts. That adds substantially to that $1500 price tag. You might reach out to the person who put up this thread, I just dealt with them for the Astro steering shaft and they were great (note that this is supposedly from an 85 and therefore NOT a WC T5): https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...wap-astro.html
With all that being said, if this is your daily driver I agree with the other folks who have said to hold off. It took me nearly a week to complete my swap as a first-timer.
I bought their T56 swap kit awhile ago, similar idea as the T5 kit in that it's mostly used components. Since they advertise the clutch and flywheel as used, I reached out and asked if they'd knock a few bucks off the price and shipping to leave those parts out, which they were willing to do. Took a gamble on the hydraulics, but you may want to purchase those new as well. I also bought new high-quality flywheel bolts (you do NOT want those shearing off). They were able to confirm the year of the transmission and give me a bit of info about the donor car, which was apparently totaled in a t-bone collision.
If you follow my route, you're looking at the cost of the kit, plus the cost of (at least) the clutch, flywheel, hydraulics, and flywheel bolts. That adds substantially to that $1500 price tag. You might reach out to the person who put up this thread, I just dealt with them for the Astro steering shaft and they were great (note that this is supposedly from an 85 and therefore NOT a WC T5): https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...wap-astro.html
With all that being said, if this is your daily driver I agree with the other folks who have said to hold off. It took me nearly a week to complete my swap as a first-timer.
#14
Member
iTrader: (11)
Re: Hawks t5 transmission kit
Bolts are all ARP, I wouldn't use anything less for something on the drivetrain. Again, those are really not bolts you want to fail (unless you don't like your legs for some reason). I believe you want the bolts for a third gen application, but I may be wrong.
I went with LUK for the clutch and flywheel. You'll want the clutch and flywheel for a fourth gen Camaro/Firebird, not the third gen (since third gens only came with the T5).
#15
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Re: Hawks t5 transmission kit
I bought everything through Amazon, which I no longer use (90% of the parts on Amazon these days are imitation junk, and I got tired of filing credit card disputes). Sadly this means I no longer have access to my order history to find part numbers, but I can try to help. Big disclaimers - I mated a fourth gen "LT1" T56 to a "Vortec" L31 engine. The "LS1" T56s and other variations of the non-LS SBC engines (I believe anything pre-86) have different requirements. Also, I'm going off memory here, I did all of this about five years ago.
Bolts are all ARP, I wouldn't use anything less for something on the drivetrain. Again, those are really not bolts you want to fail (unless you don't like your legs for some reason). I believe you want the bolts for a third gen application, but I may be wrong.
I went with LUK for the clutch and flywheel. You'll want the clutch and flywheel for a fourth gen Camaro/Firebird, not the third gen (since third gens only came with the T5).
Bolts are all ARP, I wouldn't use anything less for something on the drivetrain. Again, those are really not bolts you want to fail (unless you don't like your legs for some reason). I believe you want the bolts for a third gen application, but I may be wrong.
I went with LUK for the clutch and flywheel. You'll want the clutch and flywheel for a fourth gen Camaro/Firebird, not the third gen (since third gens only came with the T5).
ARP 130-2201 for pressure plate bolts (I think).
These are both best guesses at this point because I lost my sheet with all the part numbers that I used.
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