I'm looking to do a 5.3 swap on my 90rs 5.0. Im getting the motor from a truck of mine with a **** body i'm looking to scrap. i know a lot of people just go with the 4l60e but i would really like to keep my 5 speed. i've never been a fan of automatics. my truck has a fresh rebuilt tranny in it which i was looking to sell for a pretty penny to help fund my build.(this is going to be a budget build) my question is what are my best options for a manual trans? if possible i would like to use the tranny i have now if not i dont want to spend any more then i can get for 4l60e

 

If you like your 5 speed, you'll love a T56.

'98-'02 f-body V8 T56 is the ticket. Try to get as much of the clutch/tranny as you can, but if you need replacements, the flywheel & clutch parts will be the same as the '98-'02 f-body V8. You will need a swap crossmember, or fabricate one yourself. Your '90 has an electronic speedometer, so that won't be an issue like it would be for earlier cable drive speedometer models. Your existing driveshaft will even work. I believe you will have to open up the shifter hole in the tunnel, but I'm not completely sure on that (my car was a factory auto car).

 

T56 is the ticket. Sell that T5 to fund the T56, you won't regret it. Plus it's super small 6th gear lets you run a very large rear end gear.

 

are stock 4l60e transmissions use cooler or not?

 

With 4.30 gears and my T56 I was at 2000 rpm doing 77 mph. 6 speed is the way to go with a manual.

 

Yes all automatic transmissions need a cooler.