Hey guys, I have a 91' Firebird 305 tbi with the T-5 5 speed. This car is my first manual so I know nothing about how they are supposed to function. I do know how to drive it, but not work on the tranny. Anyways, my question is, should the shifter stick be able to turn either way with little to no force? I can also pull it up and I can feel a pop when doing so, but I can push it back down too. My car has trouble getting into gears 1-3 and reverse at random times (I can get 3rd most of the time if I double clutch and if I'm over 2,000 rpm/ gears 4-5 work perfect) and I thought maybe the loose stick was messing with the shifter fork hence the shifting probs? Just looking for some help before I decide to dig into it farther. My Grandfather told me I should take the surrounding off around the shifter and check it, so I'll probably do that tomorrow if it's nice out. Thanks for any help though for the time being.

 

sounds like something is loose/broken. pull the console apart and see whats up.

 

you can pull the console apart all you like but the T-5 has no external parts... you arent going to see a problem from out side the case...

 

so I pretty much HAVE to drop the tranny?

 

yes you will need to get the tranny out... First i would find go looking for a manual on the T-5 see if you can find one first... they are pretty complex not something for a novice to be ripping into... if you have any doubts find a shop...

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/techa...uildmanual.pdf

that is the only manual i have found online... will give you an idea of what is involved

 

First pull the console and check to see if the bolts attaching the shifter to the trans are tight, I had one loosen up on me before and had similiar problems to yours. Turned out to be little more than the 4 mounting bolts were loose.. I've also had an SLP short throw litterly come apart before on a t-56, the lever would move up and down about a half inch, turned out the shifter it self was broken.. don't overlook the simple things first..

 

Well, I took it apart earlier and checked the 4 bolts. The bottom right bolt was pretty loose, but it wouldn't tighten. It almost seemed stripped, but it looks like no one has ever been in there and this is the first I've ever checked it out. I say it seemed stripped because as soon as I put the wrench on it, it moved easily, but like I said it wouldn't tighten. It would only get slightly tight then feel loose again. So I just got it slightly tight (as tight as I could get it) and left it all alone. So maybe this is the same problem you said you were having with the loose bolt?



P.S. Found out the shifter turning prob. Now it's just the bolt prob.

 

you may want to remove the shifter and inspect it, as far as the stripped hole that's nothing a heli coil couldnt fit.. I'm not saying the shifter is your actual problem, just saying its a real easy place to start before pulling the trans out... have you noticed any change? Also what do you mean by the shifter turning problem?

 

his little plastic pin must have broke

 

I haven't noticed any change from how it did act, but the bolt also isn't any tighter than before. What I meant by the shifter turning prob was I asked if it's normal for the shifter to be able to be turned around and pulled off ( just the part you can see, not the part bolted to the tranny). When I took the console off, I noticed the **** and shaft just popped onto the actual shifter (the shaft bolted to the tranny) and could move around like it's supposed to do that, so I assumed it was normal. Thanks for all the help so far guys, sorry if I seem slow, but this is my first manual. I was told on here before that the shifting probs are most likely from bad sycronizers, but the bolt thing made me wanna try the small stuff first like 89RsPower said.

 

more than likely your trouble shifting would be bad syncros

 

Ya, I think it was actually one of you guys that helped me and told me it was the syncro's. I think I'm just gonna rebuild or get another trans, which do you think would be cheaper? I know there are many variables in price, but a ballpark figure would be nice (I know neither will be cheap). I'm pretty sure this ones coming to it's limit. The old owner abused it, he repeatedly did brake stands, burnouts, and max speed runs out by his house (plus he shifted really rough because he was a beginner). I'm pretty sure that took a big toll on it.

 

I'd have to say if you think you could manage doing the rebuild yourself, then go that route. The basic rebuild kit goes for about $150, and since your trans basically still works, there's probably not any major broken parts in there. However, if you need someone else to do the rebuild, it'd be cheaper to buy another used one from someone that can guarantee it still works good. On average, a good used one goes for $250-$500. If you had to pay a tranny guy labor to rebuild yours, you'd be into it $500 or more pretty easily. Like 89RsPower said, the shifter bolt hole is no problem to fix using a heli-coil kit. They're really simple to install. Just take one of the bolts with you to a bolt supply place, and tell them you need a heli-coil kit for that thread size. If you go looking for another trans, try to find one from an 88-92 f-body. Your trans is the World Class model, which they didn't start using until 88, and they're a better trans than the 87-older models. The only T5's that will work in our cars are 82-92 camaro or firebird. Also, be very careful that you don't end up getting a V6 trans. This happens to unsuspecting people all the time. Easy way to tell is the V6 trans has a 14 spline input shaft, and the V8 trans has a 26 spline input. If you go to www.5speeds.com, and click on their T5 page, they have a decoder. The model #'s start with 1352-XXX. If you type the model# into their decoder, it'll tell you which model trans. I wouldn't buy a T5 from anyone who can't provide you with the model#. It's stamped on a metal tag that's attached to one of the tailshaft housing bolts, or it'll be a green and white sticker on the top cover. The green and white stickers are usually the older T5's. Hope this helps you out.

 

Thanks for all the info, very helpful. I asked my Auto Body teachers at BOCES about knowing anyone with a good trans and they said one of my other teachers has a 5 speed from a tpi motor. I'd have to get the # off it like you said, but I'll have to check that route. My teacher's also immediately told me it sounds like the syncro's like you guys said. My uncle can do some trans stuff (takes em out and puts em in all the time), and would do the job for next to nothing. He could (at least) take it out and put it in for me to save that little bit in labor. Maybe I could get a rebuild kit and see what he could do and I'll help him so I can see how it's done. Where's the best place to get a rebuild kit?