Well, the transmission in my '83 Camaro has finally died and I need to get a new one, so I'm doing my homework and I need some help! What's in the car now is probably a Borg-Warner T-5 five-speed manual, but I don't want to rebuild it... I've upgraded from the original 6-cyl to a 350, so I want something that can handle more torque. The only two recommendations that I've had are the Richmond five-speed or a G-Force Lethal Weapon. Anyone had any experience with either of these?

Also, the clutch linkage that year was mechanical, not hydraulic, so I guess I'll have to replace the clutch, as well as the shifter. Someone recommended a Center Force Dual Friction clutch, and a Hurst Competition Plus or a Hurst Street Super Shifter. I can get a custom driveshaft made, that's no problem. Eventually I'll be replacing the rear end too, but that's another project!

The only thing I didn't like about the current transmission is the granny gear, so I'd like to get away from that. I don't plan on racing the car, but I want to put something respectable in it just in case I ever decide to sell it.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

I cant really help you as I am not familiar with either options. However either this thread will get moved or you can post this in the transmission/drivetrain board. You'll probably get a faster response.

 

I would say a T56.

 

I've heard that's been done a lot... what are the advantages/ disadvantages?

Thanks!

 

One disadvantage can be the high gearing. I have heard people complain that the 6 speed isnt that good with thier 2.73 gears. I guess that just depends on what you have. Beyond that, I cant see many disadvantages to having one, I wish I did. Anyone with one, step in and tell us.

 

you would probably get better responses in the tranny board.

 

there is a tech article bout doin the t-56 swap.....but as for results....my friend has a 94 Z with a t-56 and 3.42 rear end gears.....he runs like 1300rpms or so at 60 and right around 2000rpms at 90.....i want one soo bad because of just that alone!!

good luck

 

Well, it sounds like everyone's recommending the T56. The only problem is, that option would cost me $4500, plus a new clutch, new shifter, new driveshaft, and installation, which would involve quite a bit of modifying... which could run over $6000 by the time I'm finished.

Someone suggested that I get a World Class T-5 (about $400 used), get a bearing and synchro kit ($415 installed), and a gear upgrade kit ($1200 installed). They said it would bolt right up with no mods required, although the clutch will probably have to be replaced. It should handle more torque than my 350 could dish out. What do you guys think of that suggestion?

I really appreciate all the input I'm getting!

 

If you go super cheap you can get all the T56 parts needed for about $2,000 from a late model F-body slavage yard. This would inlcude the clutch, p.plate, bellhousing, hydraulics, pedals, shifter, and all the realted parts you would need. The only remaining step is a custom crossmember ($150) and some minor fabrication and wiring. It's basically a bolt in deal. Plus, if you get the later T56 it has a 2.66:1 first gear and a 0.50:1 sixth. It's a great trans and I love mine. Definately check out the T56 realted posts on this forum to get a more in depth idea of what's involved.

 

Okay, that sounds do-able. What years/models should I be looking for? Is the T56 the same as a M.T. 6-speed (5.7L)? (I was looking for one on car-parts.com and it said something about GM option codes M-28 and M-29, which have different 1st and 3rd gears. I need to clarify exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for your help!

 

I strongly recommend the T-56. I just did the swap to my 83, and it's quite an improvement over the T-5.

You need the trans, bell housing, clutch, clutch hydraulics, and shifter, from a 93-97 6-speed Z28 or Trans Am. You should be able to pick all that up from a junkyard for $1000-1500.

You'll need a pedal set from a 84-92 car with a manual trans; and a flywheel to fit the T-56 clutch (which is completely different from anything else, wuite unique) and the 2-piece rea main seal. Unfortunately that flywheel isn't cheap.

You can either use a stock T-56 torque arm, from the car the trans came out of, and fab up a crossmember; or get an aftermarket torque arm and crossmember from Spohn. I'd recommend the latter.

Speedo will be a challenge. The best thing would be to use the Jags That Run conversion. http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Par...ilHousing.html

You'll find that 6th is useless if you have any less than 3.42 gears; I have 3.73 gears, and I can't use it unless I'm going at least 65 or so.

 

Instead of the t-56 swap, why don't you send your old t-5 to g-force for upgrading? I think it's $1600, which is cheaper than the t-56 swap and less hassle for more a stronger tranny.

http://www.g-forcetransmissions.com/tran_t-5_price.asp

 

The best T56 for the swap IMO is the '94-'97 F-body trans. The '93 trans has a tall 1st gear and was only rated to 350 lbs/ft officially. The '94-'97 trans gets the 450 lbs/ft. rating. This trans also has the 2.66:1 1st gear and a .050:1 sixth. This combo works great with 3.73:1 gears or even a little taller if your motor has some RPM potential. I ran the trans with a 3.31:1 rear gear, and I had no problem using 6th on the highway above 50MPH. I like the off the line bite of the 3.73s though. The best part is that the PRMs at 80MPH are just over 2,000.

BTW, I highly recommend the SPD crossmember. Check out www.skulte.com

 

Ok he says that the car is a 83' if the T-5 isn't form a 87+ it is going to be a Non World Class (NWC) T-5, G-Force can't build them, turst me I called about them doing My T-5 3 days ago and Spoke to Mike and another guy nammed Bubba, and they both told me their Gear Kits won't fit a NWC. So I am saying screw it and putting in a Pro Built Automatics 700R4.

or dont trust me and Give them A call

Just my .02

 

You're right about that... if I did that, I'd have to upgrade to a newer model tranny.

Oh, and by the way, I'm a "she" not a "he". LOL!

So, no one has supported the swap to the Richmond 5-speed, which leaves two options for consideration... either the T-56 or upgrading to a World Class T5. Now I need to do some cost comparisons. Thanks! Your suggestions have helped me a lot!

 

Someone suggested a TKO tranny. What do you think of that suggestion?

http://www.fortesparts.com/tremec.cfm

Oh, and could someone take a stab at explaining all these gear ratios to me? I'm not sure what I have in the rear end at this time, but I plan to upgrade to a beefier rear in the future.

Thanks again!

 

I thought I saw a wc t-5 in the classifieds section? I'd rather go that route than swapping in a t-56, but that's me.

 

I have a bone stock 94 with the T-56..it loves the 3;42 gears. burns great in first 3 gears...0-60 second gear very quick. I love my 3rd gen...but I would never think of modding a thing on my 94 z28....and it wont touch my 89..94 is "The Wifes's car"

lots of #'s huh

 

pinion gear 1 turn, ring gear 1-turn....1:1.

get the Idea?

 

Sorry I asumed you were male. My fault I dig Women that are into cars, You rock

 

Well, I know THAT much! But what is meant by one gear being "taller" than another? And from what I've read, what gears you put in the rear kind of depend on engine size and what gears are in the tranny... so what is optimal for my set-up? I have 4.10 gears in the rear of my big truck, but that's for pulling, not speed. I'm guessing smaller numbers? But if I go with a T56 or a WCT5, what should I upgrade the rear to?

 

IMO the best way is to have the car set up the way it would be when it is ran down the track.
Like same tire size and ect.

Have a dyno run and know where the Peak Torque and Hp are so you can get a good idea of where it needs to be shifted at, then go to the Drag Strip make a few passes and take those time slips and see what the trap speed is at the 1/8th and at the 1/4 and remember what the RPM's were at those given moments. Post results and then you should be able to get a good amount of replys of what the Gears ratio needs to be for optimum performance.

This is how I have always done it and it is just my opinion. Some one here probally has a formula for it, but I will use any excuse I can to get on a Dyno or a few passes down the 1320'

 

That sounds like good advice, but I can't take it anywhere until I get a tranny put in! Also, some tracks won't let you run unless you have a Lakewood bell housing, and I'm not sure I can justify that kind of expense. It's not that I don't have the money, it's just that I want a car that's fun to drive... one that runs great, handles great, sounds great, and maybe turns a few heads. I don't need to impress anyone with high dollar mods, but I do want quality. That's why I'm asking for advice.

Your feedback has been a big help.

 

You don't need a track or a dyno to figure out what kind of gears to run. Just do the math for the overall gear ratio (i.e. if 1st gear is 2.66:1 and your rear gear is a 3.73:1, then the overall ratio is a 9.92:1). With a stock engine in a 3rd gen (max RPM of about 5,200-5,500) that's about as tall a 1st gear as you want. Otherwise 1st will be really short and start acting like a granny low in a truck. With greater RPM potential the problem isn't as bad, so taller gears would be fine. A lot of this is opinion, but I think you'll find a lot of people on this site with a T56 and 3.73s that feel the combo is perfect for a street car that sees some strip time too. I know that I do.

BTW, unless the car is running very qucik you do not need a blow-proof bellhousing. This is an NHRA requirement for cars runnign wuicker than 11.00 or something like that. In a stock 3rd gen that's running low 15s to mid 14s you'll be fine with all stock hardware.