T-5 swap
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,842
Likes: 6
From: Rowlett, TX
Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt, 3.45
T-5 swap
I am planning on swapping a T-5 into my new car, because they are cheap, and because I want a manual trans. It will be behind a simple carbed 350. This car isn't going to be a daily driver, just a weekend toy. Do you guys think it's worth it? Later on down the road I will probably swap to a T56, but I'm trying to get this car running and driving for cheap right now. Would it even last a year or two only being driven maybe a couple days a week?
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Depends on the tranny and the driver.
Seriously, alot of people give the T5 a hard time, saying they blew them up behind stock 305's etc, BUT...I've yet to hear of a original owner complaining about the T-5. Unless he was speed shifting it.... Fact is, from the 5 spd V-6 car, up to the 5 speed IROC, TA, etc, these cars are normally bought by people who like to "push" them a bit...not counting kids learning to drive with a stick, plus wanna-be racers.
Case in point...
Friend of mine bought a '91 RS w/ TBI 305 and 5 speed. Car was a 1 owner, 50k mile car...owned by a middle aged woman. Car was MINT. You can tell she took care of it. After about 2 years, about the only original part in the whole car was the tranny LOL
It took hopping up the 305 , then a TPI 350, then a 383, and lasted behind another stronger 383 for a good while. It finally but the dust when the guy upgraded the rear and was actually HOOKING hard at the track.
If it were me, I'd find a tranny and tear it apart for a look, or take it to a shop that does manual tranny's. Most will inspect the internals for an hour or two of labor.
But with used T56's getting cheaper, it's harder and harder to justify a T5, unless you have one, or you get a good deal on one.
Seriously, alot of people give the T5 a hard time, saying they blew them up behind stock 305's etc, BUT...I've yet to hear of a original owner complaining about the T-5. Unless he was speed shifting it.... Fact is, from the 5 spd V-6 car, up to the 5 speed IROC, TA, etc, these cars are normally bought by people who like to "push" them a bit...not counting kids learning to drive with a stick, plus wanna-be racers.
Case in point...
Friend of mine bought a '91 RS w/ TBI 305 and 5 speed. Car was a 1 owner, 50k mile car...owned by a middle aged woman. Car was MINT. You can tell she took care of it. After about 2 years, about the only original part in the whole car was the tranny LOL
It took hopping up the 305 , then a TPI 350, then a 383, and lasted behind another stronger 383 for a good while. It finally but the dust when the guy upgraded the rear and was actually HOOKING hard at the track.
If it were me, I'd find a tranny and tear it apart for a look, or take it to a shop that does manual tranny's. Most will inspect the internals for an hour or two of labor.
But with used T56's getting cheaper, it's harder and harder to justify a T5, unless you have one, or you get a good deal on one.
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,842
Likes: 6
From: Rowlett, TX
Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt, 3.45
Yea I would like to do a T56, but I cant really afford it right now. I'm sure I can find a good used T5 setup at the junk yard for a couple hundred bucks. Then later on I can save for a T56 and swap it in. Also when I do that, the clutch pedal assembly and stuff will already be in, so it will be easier to do the T56.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Hello, Michael
Engine Swap
8
Aug 20, 2015 03:19 PM
