ok, just for conversation...can a T5 be rebuilt to handle the power of a 383?

 

Check out G-forcetransmissions they claim it can be done.

http://www.g-forcetransmissions.com/tran_gt-5.asp

 

It will depend mostly on how it's driven, but what's the point of having that power if you can't reliably make use of it?

 

i'm just trying to find a way to get my car back on the road again...called a camaro salvage yard, the guy there said even the t56 wouldn't handle it and i'd have to get an aftermarket tranny...that's way too expensive for me right now so i'm trying to be practical...just thought maybe the less expensive t5 could be made to handle a lot of power.

 

Hey--I had a long talk with El Paso Transmissions about rebuilding my 26 spline '91 RS T5. They said the job takes special tools and jigs few people have and when you've spent the money you have a tranny that's no good for a stout motor. They recommended I go through the T56 swap because T56's are building up in junk yards like Cummins diesel motors; they just don't break. Then I read this month's Chevy High Performance mag--they said the T56 was developed to meet federal mileage requirements and the 6th gear is so tall a carbureted motor bogs unless you have 4.10's or deeper. Also, it shifts slow compared to a T5, requires an electronic reverse cutout, weighs 30 lbs. more, and requires different clutch stuff--plus the crossmember and driveshaft changes. If I go to an LS1 I'll go with the T56 that comes with it--meanwhile, I'll stay with a built up T5/TKO and 3.73's.