I have a project I am working on... it is a 4spd (saginaw) '78 malibu. I do not have a stock bellhousing, it came from another vehicle (either camaro or pickup... anyone know how to ID?).

I am interested in using a T-5 with my existing clutch/bellhousing setup. I was told that one from an '83 f-body would work... is there any differances between the trans of an '83, and an 84-92?

Thanks for any info!

 

No major external differences in the transmissions themselves, just the mounting pattern and clutch linkage. The T5's have their trans-to-bellhousing bolt pattern rotated something like 19&deg CCW (when viewed from the rear) from a 'standard' manual trans (T10, M-20, Saginaw, etc.). The difference between the 83 and the 84-newer T5 bellhousings is the use of a mechanical linkage on the 83, and a hydraulic system on the 84-up ones. Since 83 was the first year for the T5 in thirdgens, it makes that bellhousing a one-year only piece and hard to find.

Good luck in your quest to find one; an alternative is to get one made by Lakewood, but they are quite pricey ($300-ish).

Pete

edited for clarity

 

Thanks for the info, I guess its time to go junkyardin'!

As far as the bellhousing in 1983 goes, is there any differance in the bellhousings themselves in the differant engine choices? Also, what is the best way to identify an F-body as 1983, or at least the bellhousing?

thanks again!

 

The bellhousing will need to be from a V8 engine. The V6 and the L4 are a different size (smaller) and won't bolt up.
The easiest way to tell the year is to check the VIN on the lower front drivers side of the windshield; barring that, an underhood check for the mechanical linkage instead of a 3/8" or so hydraulic line will narrow it down to 82 and 83.
I've included a photo of an 84-newer hydraulic bellhousing; you can see how the bolt pattern is rotated, and how it has the 'ear' on the lower left side for the slave cylinder to mount to. The one you need won't have this 'ear'.

Pete

 

Ya know, I just thought about this....the only reason the thirdgen bellhousing has the bolt pattern rotated like that is for floorpan clearance by the driver's feet.....
Aside from adjusting the mounting angle on the trans crossmember to fit the T5, and maybe bending the shifter handle toward the drivers seat a bit, there's no reason I can think of that you couldn't bolt the T5 directly to your existing bellhousing.
I think we (I) got off on a tangent here somehow....sorry 'bout that
Re-reading your original post, it now seems to me that you were inquiring about the T5 itself fitting up to your current setup, correct? If so, just find one with a V8-specific 28 spline input shaft versus one having a 10 (or is it 14?) spline input shaft; those from 89-up are a bit stronger. Use a 28 spline clutch disc to match.

The following link shows how one fellow installed a hydraulic clutch and T5 into his 85 Monte SS... http://www.monte-list.nu/tech/fivespeed.shtml
This should provide some more information....

Pete

 

Awesome! thanks for the info! I was researching a bit about this, and I found another g-body guy who bolted up the T-5... He just modded the crossmember a bit, and bent the shifter! So, that answers that question!
How standard is the 28 spline input shaft? I have a new clutch in my current bellhousing (part of the reason why I want to keep that stuff... trying to keep costs down) So is there anything else I should need to replace I wonder?

 

...also, besides electronic speedo, how would a T-56 compare in installation?

 

I have used the 84-92 V8 F-body bellhousing in a g-body, and I have run the 83 V8 F-body bellhousing in a g-body with a couple different T5s.

I have run a stock T5 shifter, and I've run a Hurst Compeition Plus.

Either of the canted bellhousings works great in the 78-88 A/G body platform. The 83 fork & bellhousing has the dimple in the end of the fork really close to where the 78-81 mechanical linkage pushrod would normally go. The 83 fork design is a stronger one than the 78-81 A-body fork, in my opinion. Plus you can run the Lakewood fork in the 83 bellhousing, if you wish.

Marc, who has the T5 bolted up to a "straight up" bellhousing knows a lot of good stuff. He and I just agree to disagree on canted vs. straight up bellhousing for the T5

The T56 is SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive. I've swapped one into a '91 Z28, and I'm putting one in my car very soon. I will probably be at least $700 more into the T56 than what I'm getting out of my complete T5 setup (which is going to a friend w/ an 85 G-body.)

The only documented & proven mechanical linkage T56 way to go is the "aftermarket" T56, which requires you buy a Viper shifter. It will bolt to the 83 or the 84-92 F bellhousings with it's adapter plate which is in between bellhousing & trans.

If you want to run an easy to setup T5 in your Malibu, just go w/ the 83 bellhousing and keep your linkage. The shifter just rubs on the left side of my stock 86 console. I've been running a T5 in this car since early 1999 and have seen hydraulics and mechanical. You'll like it.

 

I found a couple T-5's... one would require a 500 mile drive to get but is a WC. I found one from an '86 firebird V8 (had electronic speedo- I thought those were only '90+?) That I do not think is WC. Is it really going to make that much differance? I do not race, and generally drive pretty sanely

edit: well, I found out it is actually from an '87, in very good condition with what looks like a .63 overdrive I talked him down and got it for $250 . This will be great because my car is a driver, not a racer.

 

1986 was the first year of elec. speedo in birds.