I'm thinking of a T5 swap b/c I came across a setup real cheap. I got 2 trannys ( one of which needs new synchro's) and a third rebuildable core. I want to put the good one in the car and put new synchros in the second then swap them out b/c the second tranny has some aftermarket parts in it. My question is what is it that usually breaks in the T5 when they're put behind a 300+ HP motor? While I'm doing the synchro's I might as well use some beefier parts so I don't have to worry about it breaking.

 

The T-5.

I've got one in my junk pile that the mainshaft twisted in half, right about at the speedo gear. I've got about a half dozen wasted countergears and clutch gears, some so bad you can hardly tell they ever had teeth. I've got a handful of stretched cases. I've got 2nd and 3rd gears with various stages of destruction. I've got broken shift forks.

Frankly, I can't think of any part in a T-5 at all that you couldn't tear up somehow. Driver behavior is the main thing that does it.

 

Mine's held up fine. This thread may to turn intoa bunch of stories about "mine works fine" and "They suck, mine broke in a week", but it really boils down to how you treat it. If you drive it like a moron, it'll break, sure as ****.

If you don't unneccessarily beat it, change the fluid, and put a shifter on there w/adjustable shift stops, it'll treat you right for a long time.

 

if theres a 10 bolt behind that T5 u can bet that will go first hahahaha. T5s are alright

 

a little better than a 10 bolt....it's a 9 bolt thats treated me well so far

 

Maybe I should have asked what is most likeyly to break, or what breaks the most.

 

I want to ride in ur car if u do the swap should be fun.

i was also thinking about a potential 5 speed swap only because all the supsension parts i have which fit the t5 or 700r4 only.

and i thought it would be fun to mess around with a manual, i never drove a manual thirdgen before and i am sure i am missing out.

 

for me it was the 10 bolt rears, and not to be funny but, as soon as I put a 9bolt in it not even a mile later (still test drive around the block) I lost 3rd gear , so now I will be installing the t56 I have everything but the atf.

 

If you need any tips on the 6-speed swap shoot me a PM. I've been through it once on my car and a few times helping other people get it done.

 

It really could be any part. The whole thing is onthe weak side, and depending on the manor in which you beat the he!! out of it determines what parts break. There really isn't one specific part that is weaker that another.

 

The case man the case. Its weak, all aluminum, and breaks very easy.

 

now i'm scared. i got a 350 with a t5. went with cheap clutch to save trans and gears, unless it blows up! hardly ever do burn outs, mostly just crusin. standard transmissions in f bodies are way cool. even better when it is hooked up to a v8. should i tell the wife i need a t56 to make the car stronger (better)? what oil are you guys/girls running in t5s thanks. :rockon:

 

now i'm scared. i got a 350 with a t5. went with cheap clutch to save trans and gears, unless it blows up! hardly ever do burn outs, mostly just crusin. standard transmissions in f bodies are way cool. even better when it is hooked up to a v8. should i tell the wife i need a t56 to make the car stronger (better)? what oil are you guys/girls running in t5s thanks. :rockon:

 

Then you should be fine. Only fools or people running slicks at the track blow T-5's (for the most part). What you described above doesn't look like a problem to me. Look at my sig. I took that car to the track for years, every Friday night; power shifted every pass. Never had a problem, and I had far more than 350 cubes. I ran Dexron III ATF, and I changed it with every engine oil change. I also had a shifter w/adjustable shift stops (after I broke a shift fork), and I ran plain street tires 255/50-16's.

 

Welp, my WC T5 is pretty much toast at this point. Reverse idler was kinda screwy when the trans went in, and now 2nd is offically AWOL, and first is uncooperative. (Looks like snycro's in my case)

I will be putting in a NWC T5 temporarily until I can get the rest of the T56 bits and pieces together.

 

I run dexron III atf in my t5 with about 3/4 of a bottle of lucas automatic trans-fix. Its a thick additive to quiet auto trannys and stop slipping, it also says it can be used in light-duty manual transmissions. It helps cut down some of the heat in my t5 and quiets some of the noise as well.