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What does the "M5" mean?

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Old Mar 22, 2010 | 11:40 AM
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What does the "M5" mean?

I am new here and i am trying to learn as much as i can about my TA and others and i can't figure out what does M5 mean?
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Old Mar 22, 2010 | 11:43 AM
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From: Northern CT
Car: 1986 Trans am
Engine: 5.3 LM7
Transmission: T56 6 speed
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 w/ 3.55's
Re: What does the "M5" mean?

Originally Posted by airwolf9090
I am new here and i am trying to learn as much as i can about my TA and others and i can't figure out what does M5 mean?
Manual 5 speed, unless it's some kind of RPO code. Then I couldn't help ya.
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Old Mar 22, 2010 | 11:46 AM
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Re: What does the "M5" mean?

Thats what i was thinking but i wanted to make sure i was right...
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Old Mar 22, 2010 | 08:31 PM
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Re: What does the "M5" mean?

I might be wrong (Sr. member correct me if so) and it sounds crazy, but I am pretty sure MM5 is the RPO for an automatic. Check the RPO decoder to be sure.
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Old Mar 22, 2010 | 10:23 PM
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Re: What does the "M5" mean?

MM5/MK6 = Manual 5 Speed
MXO/MD8 = Automatic 4 speed
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Old Mar 24, 2010 | 09:02 AM
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From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: What does the "M5" mean?

As mentioned before, Typically speaking M5 would indicate the Manual 5 speed (Borg & Warner) Transmission, the A4 would indicate the Automatic 4 speed (IE the 700R4/4L60).

The 200R4 was used in the 1989 TTA, so A4 could be used as a reference for those as well

Other transmissions used on third Gens would include the A3 (Automatic 3 speed, IE TH350 Trans) which was more or less a 1982 only thing, they did use the A3 when paired to the 4 cyl engine in 1982 - 1985 IIRC. The same goes for the M4, which is a Muncie Manual 4 Speed Manual trans, again it was used primarily in 1982, and then the I4 got it from 1982-1985 IIRC..

The M6 was only used in 1991 and 1992 on the Firehawks, this was the Manual 6 speed.

AFAIK, that is all the transmissions used in third gens... Hope it helps.
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Old Mar 24, 2010 | 10:09 AM
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Re: What does the "M5" mean?

Originally Posted by okfoz
Other transmissions used on third Gens would include the A3 (Automatic 3 speed, IE TH350 Trans) which was more or less a 1982 only thing, they did use the A3 when paired to the 4 cyl engine in 1982 - 1985 IIRC. ....AFAIK, that is all the transmissions used in third gens... Hope it helps.
I don't think the TH350 was used in 1982. If they were, why didn't they put them in the 82 T/As ? I got the lowly 200C (Chevette) trans in my '82 T/A. I should know, I went thru 3 transmissions in 80K miles. (GM only paid for the first 2). For some reason, GM thought the Chevette transmission was a good match to the 305's 165hp. The warning sign for 1982 was when you saw "Metric" stamped on the bottom of the transmission, that was the 200C.

Last edited by xcalibur; Mar 29, 2010 at 01:14 PM. Reason: fix typo
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Old Mar 25, 2010 | 09:49 AM
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From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Re: What does the "M5" mean?

I have some corrections...

The Manual 4 speed in 1982 was the Saginaw (not a muncie)
and the Manual 4 from 1983 thru 1986 was the Borg & Warner.

And you are correct, I always thought it was the 350, but indeed it was the THM200C, which should not be confused wtih the THM200-R4 which was used in the Buick Gran Nationals until 1987 and the TTA in 1989...

The 200 was probably better suited for the V6 and I4...

Thanks for the correction and making me look it up...
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