Has anyone swapped out a t-10 for a t-5?? What parts can you still use??? Thinking about swapping out my t-10 for better gas mileage and wear and tear on my engine seeing how i have 4.10s. This will only be temporary until i can save up enough for the retrofit T-56. What i wanna know is can i use the same bellhouseing, torque arm, and driveshaft?? Any help would be appreciated.

 

You could keep the mechanical linkage and clutch, but ideally you'd need an '83 V8 F-body bellhousing (or an aftermarket unit like a Lakewood), since that was the only year GM made a T5 and mech. linkage. If you use your original bellhousing, the shifter will be tilted towards the passenger seat 17*; not the most comfy thing. I guess you could also heat and bend the shifter handle to the appropriate position if you reuse the stock bellhousing.

 

The shifter situation is not what everyone makes it out to be. Just get a Hurst aftermarket shifter, take the shifter base apart, and install the pivot backwards -- it is now angled back towards the driver's side. I did this replacing my Muncie 4 spd with a T5 WC. I used a Mustang stock shifter handle which brings the stick back several inches and angled towards the driver, but the stock 3rd gen stick would have worked as well.

 

OK, I hadn't thought about that. But, if he reuses the stock bellhousing, then the tranny mount is also at the same 17* angle. He'd need to cut off and reweld the tranny mount on the crossmember in a different place.

 

I did cut the stock mount pad off and then welded it back on at the correct angle -- this took about an hour start to finish. I was able to locate the cross member in the rear set of holes (TH400) and did not need to drill anything -- this was not on a 3rd gen though. On a 3rd gen it will probably be easiest to get a stock T5 mount and mod that, instead of modding the 4 spd/TH350 style mount. The T5 mount will at least locate in the stock bolt holes.

 

Ok well I think i'm gonna buy a lakewood then... But i can still reuse the driveshaft, torque arm, and crossmember??

 

No -- you need a driveshaft 3" shorter. A stock V8 T5 3rd gen driveshaft is what you need.

 

Ok thanks I appreciate your input.