I was woundering if there was any way to tell from the outside if my T5 in my 88 Z28 Is a world class one or not. I understand that the World Class Versions can stand up to 300ftlbs of torque. Also i was woundering if anyone outheir has had experience with these trannys and if it is going to stand up to what i want to do. Its going to be behind a 350 horse 380 or so torque 350 that sees daily driving and some strip passes. The car will not have slicks so it wont have that much stress on the tranny.

 

It's always a toss up whether a T5 will survive behind a healthy 350. That's why GM never installed them in the 350 cars. But driven properly, I've heard of a lot of guys that run them just fine. You can tell if your tranny is a world class one by the I.D. tag on the trans itself. If it's a world class trans, the number will be either 1352-195 or 1352-196. The correct one for a Z/28 is the 195, which has the .072 overdrive. The 196 is the RS version, which has the .063 overdrive. Hope this helps.

 

If its stock, then yes its a world class as GM starting using the world class T5 in 1988 models.

My T5 lasted behind 400 ft/lbs of torque on drag radials until I started running 12 second passes. Then it broke third gear. You might have a different experience...

 

Although I am not 100% sure if this is always the case - on WC T5's the pivot pin bolt on the left side of the trans case can be a clue - if the bolt is a torx than its a WC.
-Andrew

 

I called a tranny rebuild shop about that torx bolt
recently where the T5 I purchased was an exchange deal for a rebuit one off the rack.

The guy said the tranny isnt a world class but it does have that
torx bolt so I guess that might not always be the case.

 

Here yah go:

"If you have aren't sure whether or not you have a World Class T5, the quickest external check is to look at the counter-shaft bearing cup, just below the bearing retainer. It it is of the roller bearing type, with Timken engravings (left) you have a WC T5. "

 

Hell im just not going to worrie bout it. Im going to build my motor anyways. If i break the T5 i can eighter rebuild it, buy a T56, or put my TH350 behind it till i get another trans.