Can anyone tell me how to figure out which 5 speed is in my 88 firebird? Are there different models in these cars? Will it hold up to the torque of my stock 350 TPI?

 

It's a Borg-Warner T-5

No

Probably not, not even as little as a stock 350 TPI produces, at least not for very long

 

Borg Warner T5, Yes, Yes for a while unless you're an idiot.

 

All of em are T5's. There is either the World Class, or the non World Class. V6 and V8's T5's are different, different input shaft, and different gear ratios. Get the ID #'s off your trans and run em through the Search on this website, or even google. There is a great post floating around, as well as some websites on the internet, that will match up the ID #'s with the model, etc.

 

Ok well im putting on a lt1 intake so im ganna lose some bottom end torque, is there anything i can do to strengthen the t5 or would it just be better to find like a richmond 5 speed?

 

A t56 or tremec 5 speed would be the logical choices.

 

Richmond has a 5th gear of 1:1 .....so you might not like that .....on the highway


That Tremic TKO seems nice though

 

CC89--Check out the posts from TKOPerformance and a new one on T5 rebuilds--under $1000 to handle good steet power.

 

I have an 88 firebird with a v6 and a five speed. I am putting in a 350 rebuilt carb engine. I am putting on a customized clutch plate made just for this setup and a new flywheel and pressure plate and bell housing. My brother did the same thing with the same trany and it worked perfectly fine but you will be in and out of first gear very fast because the gear ratio is so low. But it should work fine and it will be a very fun car.

 

Yes, it can work for a while. Normal day to day driving it *could* last you a very long time. But the stock t5, v6 or v8 is not going to take the stress involved in a car that is run hard. As far as I know the easiest way of telling the difference is the input shaft. The v8's have a higher spline count 26 I believe? While the v6's was like 14, I honestly don't recall the exact count I haven't had it out of the car in forever.

I would also advise the Tremec or going to a t56 if not now, in the future. I understand not having the money to do it now, notice I'm still running the T5 as well

Good luck to you, I hope it turns out the way you want it.

 

im almost done my v6 to v8 swap and i did the same thing...v8 bellhousing, pressureplate...and a special clutch for the v6 input shaft...it was cheaper then a clutch for my honda...i was told it will work good as a daily driver 2...hope my tranny last...it was already makin some funny noise befor the swap...lol...

 

v6 trannys can last a long time, my buddy has one behind his 355, he runs low low 13's at the track, only thing he broke on it so far is the clutch. Believe hes been running it for about 3-4 years now