Pre-'86 Engine/'90 T5
 

I'm finally going to get some more power in the form of a 350 or 383, but both engines I have to choose from are early, 2-piece rear main blocks and I'm putting this into a '90 RS with a T5.

I need to know what Flywheel/Clutch/Starter combo I need to go with to do this install.

Anyone know offhand? The local parts counter geeks haven't a clue and can't seem to figure it out with their computers either.




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Stephen Cranford

http://www.geocities.com/chevyraceshop


http://austin.f-body.org/members/cranford
97 Tahoe SS
90 Camaro RS

I would contact Centerforce, Hayes, or some other Flywheel/clutch manufacturer. This is waaaaaay too complicated for some guy at a parts house.

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-Greg

'85 Trans Am - WS6,TPI:
Original owner, original paint/engine/interior, plus the usual bolt-ons

I just finished a 383 swap with a t-5 in my 91 bird. You will need a 153 tooth flywheel for a two piece rear main. I had mine balanced with my rotating assembly, you might not need to if you stick with a 350. I am using a centerforce 10.4" clutch without any problems. The starter is the biggest PITA. You can use your stock starter but you need to check your block to see if you have the correct mounting holes. If you do your set, if not you will need to drill and tap the block. Check the archives for info on this. I found out too late and had to drill and tap the block while it was in the car.

Partly true... most are clueless but you'd be surprised what some of them know about. The starter is gonna depend on the block since the flywheel is known. Theres entirely too many different starters that GM used over the years, if you find someone that knows what they are doing they will get you the right starter. I've been out of it too long to tell you the number off the top of my head, but theres 8 common GM starters (and more uncommon ones than I can count) from 5x-96 when I quit working parts and one of those would work.

Real simple, everything you buy for the starter/flywheel/clutch is for an 85 f-body. The real problem is if your block doesn't have the inline pattern for the starter mount. If you have 3 holes your in great shape. If you only have to staggered holes, get out your drill, your going to need the 3rd hole.

I suspected as much after looking through the history of the 3rd Gen here on 3rd Gen.org.

I noticed that the T5 became available in '83 and since I know hte 1-piece rear wasn't around until '87/'88, I figured I could look up the flywheel/clutch/starter combo for '83-'86 3rd Gens and that should do the trick. Correct?

Thanks guys. This place is fantastic resource of information!



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Stephen Cranford

http://www.geocities.com/chevyraceshop


http://austin.f-body.org/members/cranford
97 Tahoe SS
90 Camaro RS

Not quite, my 86 had a 1 piece rear main so I had to get everything for an 85. When I order engine parts I specify a 76 camaro and the rest I order for an 86. That is untill next month, then the car goes up for the winter and the 396 goes in.

If you get parts for an 85 everything will interchange, that was the last year for the 2pc rear, so you know everything will fit.

I forgot to add that I bought my flywheel from a wrecking yard for $65+shipping and the clutch isn't year specific, you can use whatever year you come across.