I've been looking into putting a 5.7L 350 into my car to replace the V-6. But I want to keep my 5 speed. I have been told different things about doing it...one side says that my tranny will be fine, and the other side says I will tear it to shreads. So can I keep my 5 speed or not? Has anyone else done this (Im sure they have) Thanx for any info!

 

#1, the V6 5-speed is different from the V8 version. Different input shaft, different gears, etc.

Some have modified the clutch disk to allow the use of the V6 tranny on a V8. But, #2, unless you baby the thing, 350 torque going through a T-5 usually results in untimely death.

 

itll kill a V-6 NON WC T-5...a WC will take more abuse..350-400ft pounds GOING THROUGH IT wont kill it, its the dumb *** who side steps the clutch off the limiter with slicks that will kill it....but then again, why be easy on it?

 

Exactly. I've got a '92 WC T-5 behind my LT4 with about 400 hp. I've only replaced the synchros in it, everything else has held up, but ONLY because I've never used anything other than street tires, never powershifted, and never done high RPM launches. If I ever want to go much faster, I'm going to have to get a better tranny to hold up the abuse.

 

As long as your tires will break loose from the power it will last a bit longer but not much more. Traction and hard launches can ensure death in a matter of seconds.

Edit: Forgot to mntion that you will have to change the bellhousing as well.

 

First, what is a NON WC T-5? How do I tell which one I have? I dont plan on doing spectacular burnouts or anything like that, I just want to go faster, faster. What if I went with a 305 instead? anything would be better than my 2.8L.

 

the WC tranny can be identified using the number off the tranny. If you are wondering if your v6 camaro came with one, it didnt, the world class came with the v8 engines.

I recently had to rebuild my t-5 that sits behind a 350, probably due to my driving, and partially because it was used to begin with. So even the WC t-5s can break if your not nice to it.

I'd definitly recommend the swap to anyone who hates the automatic though. If you can afford the t-56, great, get that instead, it will work better in the long run, but if you don't have alot of money a t5 will do the job. As for your v6 tranny, I wouldnt even try, I bet the first hard launch or power shift and your gonna pop it.

 

Any suggestions for a stronger T-5 rebuild ?

 

It can be done but by the time you are done you could have a T-56 for about the same price. The T-56 can take all kinds of abuse. Plus why have 5 when you can have 6

 

You will need a V8 bellhousing, and of course flywheel, use either a custom 10.4" disc with 1" 14 spline center, or a 84 9 11/16 V6 disc, the custom one being better, you should probably grind some off of the input end, about 3/8" or so, other than that i'd say dont go running slicks, and get a WC T5 or something else to upgrade when your budget allows.

 

Maybe about 80 lbs of un needed weight ?

 

theres the G-force kit....i dont remember $$$ but it is rated to 600 ft pounds

 

My friend switched his 84 Camaro from a V6 to a 300HP 350 and kept the original T5. The T5 lasted 30k miles. Im doin the same, but I'll be beatin the crap out of it, and dont expect it to last past 10k.

 

Yea, someone makes aftermarket gears rated to like 600 ft lbs but it's like 1500$ for the gears.

 

Here it is

Check there for all the information you want.

 

If you can round up a World Class T5, great upgrades can be obtained from Hanlon Motorsports. I would consider the HD rebuild kit and a steel retainer as a minimum for "spirited" driving.

http://www.hanlonmotorsports.com

I seriously doubt you have a World Class behind that V6. The easiest way to identify a WC from a non WC is by removing the bell housing. You will see a the outer portion of a bearing. Someone is going to have to help me now....is the bearing marked "Timken" a WC or non WC? Anyway, when someone clears this up for us, it will be easily identified.