What should I do? I have a 88 V6 5 speed Camaro and I want to put in a V8 350 but still keep it stick. I was told that that the 5 speed wouldnt be able to hold the 350, so I would have to get a 6 speed. And then even after that, I would still maybe have some problems but since Chevy never made a third gen 6 speed 350 to my knowledge I cant just go buy one. So should I just buy a 93 and up 6 speed V8 or go through everything to making my 88 a 6 speed?

 

You have a V8 T5 right? Good, then that'll work. If you have a V6 T5, then you would have problems. It should be alright. But see what other people have to say. I

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1984 Firebird SE
1985 Camaro z28 305 engine T-5 Five Speed Tranny, 92 Camaro Leather Seats Console, carpet everything. Soon to put in 700R4 and 427CI. (Hopefully.
To view my car go to:

http://geocities.com/jmboriss/bluecar.html

It is for sale, asking $2000.

 

Don't believe everything your told. I'm running a 5-speed/350 right now. You should get a V-8 T-5 if you want to keep the 5 speed, that way you know it will stand up. The problem come in when you reach the 320 ft-lb mark. The T-5 is only rated for that so any farther and your living on borrowed time. That said, they're alot of people on this board that are using the stock T-5 and not having any problems with them holding up behind strong 350's.

A 6-speed will swap into an 82-92 f-body fairly easy if you really want one.

 

So what you are saying is to just stick with the swap of engine and tranny and forget just buyin another car thats 6 speed? I would rather just go the simple route.

Thanks for the advice though.

 

I have a v6 t5 behind a stock carbed 350. Its holding up fine. As far as I know you can't find a clutch disk larger than 9 1/8 to fit the v6 input shaft. The v8 used a 10.4 in disk. So I have a v6 tranny and clutch behind a 350 and its doing ok. Not sure how long everything is going to hold up but it will get you around for a while. If you can find a v8 t5 cheap get it at least you don't have to be afraid to beat your clutch every now and then.

[This message has been edited by thatsme (edited November 07, 2001).]

 

I'm just wondering what would be the better or cheaper route.

 

I currently have a T5 behind a 300HP 350,but I don't plan on it lasting long.....at least not for me.If you like to bang gears or smoke the tires with any regularity, the T5 will not last.If you don't drive it too hard, it will be fine.It all depends on your left foot!My suggestion is to go ahead and run the T5 you have, and upgrade later if you feel the need.If you break it, I wouldn't waste any money on beefing it up,just replace it with a trans rated for more torque.
As for me, I'll be replacing mine in the Spring with a Tremec TKO,rated at 550 ft/lbs!
-Rich-

 

We drive on the other side of the road from some of you guys but we don't use our other foot!

 

Since your car is a v6 why not just swap the LT1 and 6 speed out of a 4th gen.

 

I was referring to the clutch pedal.
BTW, I like your user name....Frank Z fan?
-Rich-

 

I was thinkning of doing that too but wasnt sure if I wanted to.

 

If you have the money, try doing the swap. You could always just buy a LT-1 fourth gen, but what fun would that be? Everyone's got one, how many people have a LT-1 powered, 6-speed third gen? I would find that to be much cooler the the prior. But that is just my opinion, I like uniqeness!

 

Cosmic Debris...
What is the name of the beach on the very tip of the North Island that you can drive on? I went there like 5 years ago and it was awesome, i just can't remember the name.

 

Is it Ninety Mile Beach? I live down in the South Island and don't get up that way much.

 

Oh I see. Yeah me and Frank go back a long way.

 

Yeah thats what I wanted to do because my friend always has a fourth gen Z28 and I didn't want to be like a copy cat but have the same power.