Does the 83 t-5 differ from any other years? I have an 88 firebird and just bought an '83 t-5 for it. I was looking at clutches and found that the '83 model years have a different part number for the Centerforce dual friction clutch. Am I missing something here?

 

Can't answer your question, but IIRC, 88-92 T-5's are the so-called world class transmissions, which are a bit stronger than the earlier models, so you may be taking a step backwards with the 83.

JamesC

 

I'd be willing to bet the part# they listed for the 83 T-5 is different because it's a clutch designed to work with mechanical linkage instead of hydraulic linkage. I also noticed this when I was looking at replacement clutches.

 

I thought only the 82's had the mechanical linkage, but I could be wrong...

If it is a v8 trans, then it should have the same input shaft(v6 input shaft spline and length is different), but yes, you would be down-grading to a non-world-class T5, which won't take much power before going BOOM! even the WC's are only rated for something like 250-300ftlbs - hence why GM never put it behind a 350 factory.

 

83 still had the mechanical crap.

I turfed mine the first time I found a hyd car in the boneyard; must have been around 86 or 87 I did that.

Clutch is the same. I didn't change mine when I changed BHs. Didn't have to. No reason to.

I don't know about GM's "listings" for clutches; they might "list" different part #s for the different years, I don't know. Maybe different spring strengths or something, as far as new cars are concerned. But, they're all the same, as far as fit.

 

Yeah dimensionally they're both 10.5 inches and 26 spline. I agree that the only thing that might differ slightly between the two is the spring rates in the pressure plates.