Just wanted to share some pics of my T5 swap I performed during x-mas vacation
Some of the pics were taken with my cellphone 'cause I forgot my digital camera at home...

th700 removed:


in goes the pilot bearing (Moroso):

and the GM Performance Lightweight Flywheel:

Centerforce Dual Friction with the Centerforce Align Tool. The tool has to go in and out without resistance or you will have a hard time getting the tranny in because the clutch disc is not properly centered. the t5 virtually slipped in when I mounted it later...:


In order to get the bellhousing on I had to grind the starter because it is the big one for an automatic tranny. After that it fit fine. Here's a pic after grinding and painting:

Bellhousing:

 

Removed the Auto pedals and installed the manual assembly with the braces. I cut a template of the foam gasket that was on the GM Clutch master cylinder from cardboard so I knew exactly where to drill the holes for the cylinder (pita). To do that, I removed the pedals as well as the Brake Booster.



pedals mounted:

For the shifter-hole I placed a used lower shifter boot on the tunnel and marked where the holes for it go. after that I marked where to cut. You can see the marks for the holes on the pic. After testfitting the tranny I found that it was very close on the rear of the hole so I enlarged it on the back. In the pic you see the finished hole. I cut off the sheetmetal on top that was for the shifter.


Tranny mounted as well as slave cylinder with its bracket:



Console with shifter (yeah I need a new **** as well as a leather boot):


I found this an easy conversion although I really took my time and did a lot of research. Luckily I could do this at the workshop where I work (Mitsubishi Dealer) so I had a bunch of tools and a hydraulic ramp

The exhaust hanger for the original dual cats does not fit. It's to short. I have to fab something!

Hope this thread is helpful to anyone!

 

I rewired one wire from the rear hatch switch to the emergency brake wire right at the bottom of the lever so it is grounded when you engage the e-brake. It's the one wire that has no electrical potential when ignition is on (the other one has).

On the shifter connector I connected the two big wires (starter switch) and did not rewire them to the clutch pedal.
The ones for the ECM (they are striped) I left alone (of course I insulated them)
the remaining two are for the backup-light switch. rewired them through the original hole for the auto-shifter cable with a grommet I found in the shop!

 

nice write up and pics. I did that same just a t56

 

What would be easier to do, widen the automatic floor for the shifter, or just cut the hump out of a car that came with a manual?

 

I would think just cutting a hole would be easier. Good Write up! I'll be doing this come spring time.

 

thanks,

yeah I wanted to go T56 too at first. But you really have a hard time to find them in europe. and when you do find one the price is usually not worth it.
this used t5 was expensive enough.

I think cutting out is easier but if you have a manual car where you can measure the hole dimensions and location you'll be lucky. but it came out really nice like I did it.

I still need a 18tooth driven gear for my electronic VVS in order to get my speedo working

 

How do you like the clutch? I was thinking of getting the same one. Do you have a part number for that flywheel?

 

I think they flywheel is Summit# NAL-14085720, I think it's the same one I've got. Nice write up, I plan on doing this swap in the next week or so. These pictures should help a lot.

 

Maybe the following will help, maybe not:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/exha...ger-fix-p.html

JamesC

 

I did my swap some time ago,great pics.I found a web site to be helpful,it was FBODYMOTORSPORTS,it is YOUNGSFBODY NOW,they have a complete write up and pics of the T5 INSTALL in a camaro.

 

I have the same clutch setup in mine. I think it feels a little "soft". It however bites and has taken some abuse.

 

this would be for a 2-piece rear main seal. If you have an original L98 or another chevy engine with a 1-piece rear main seal you need this one:
Summit# NAL-14088646

As for the clutch I really like how it feels. very easy to engage. Don't know how it holds up since I'm breaking it in now for about 500 miles with the new flywheel. But from what I read about it it should be no problem for my stock L98 haha...

 

thanks for that. I had something like that in mind altough I'm gonna fab the bracket since I got a dual cat!

little bit off topic but thats an awesome looking T/A. you got a page with any pics?

 

I have some pics on this site,it is in the FIREBIRD section. It is in the Auto Detailing and Appearance section,then under FIREBIRD PICS.

 

My car had the wiring for the clutch switch already, it was behind the drivers side kick panel near the bottom of the dash.
I just plugged in the switch and mounted it to the pedals.

 

you make it look so easy, nice write & photos

this should be tacked

 

thanks. It's really not a problem if you do some research, have some proper tools and take your time!

 

Benny, I need a favor...

I was wondering if you had side pics.... I need to know how much the trans sticks into the car, to mak sure it's not mounted too high into my car, before i cut sheetmetal. right now, it looks as if the top of the trans (where the shifter is) sits about an inch or two into the cabin... is that correct?

 

great thread. Just picked up a whole t5 set up from tpi-hearse and will be swapping over soon. That dude has tons of 3rd gen parts.

 

yep it sticks into the cabin...you cannot mount the transmission without a hole in the tunnel.
If you have the correct crossmember (auto/manual is the same) it'll be alright!
Sorry I do not have a pic of that!

 

that's ok, you answered my question.... I need to cut the hole first. I'll get to that next weekend. thanks a bunch.

 

 

im doing my T5 swap next month, ps...anyone reccommend some1 in the toronto, ontario (canada) area to do a auto-5spd swap? so far ive found a guy whos willing to do the swap for $1000 for labour.. (but he's also installing my 350 engine included in that price)

 

I'd go with him, this is an easy swap, but for $1000..... that's a good deal.

 

keep in mind he's throwing in an engines AS well as doing a auto to t5 swap...

 

Do you have any issues with the idle? My buddy did when he switched over to a T5. But he did not connect the neutral safety switch and something else.
Nice write up!!

Mark

 

when you swap in a t5 do you have to change anything with cars ecm computer? to tell it theres a manual transmission?

 

Is the torque arm mount definetly different from the automatic compared to the manual one? Or can you make the automatic one work?

 

it's different, the holes in the tranny are different..

 

this sis going to be very helpful over this weekend, just 1 question for the pilot bearing what do u put on it?? just bearing grease? thanks

 

Unfortuanately it is a dealer only item too. so if you dont have the correct one from the car you got the trans from your screw its like $80 from GM. Good thing i saw Benny K got the right one.

 

Wow just notice this is like a year old. whoops!!!

 

Mine came pre-greased with some kind of special grease.

I have a few questions about my swap.

1. I see you had to modify the starter, does anyone have the part number for a stock manual starter? My starter is on it's way out so I might as well replace it.
2. Did you reuse the flywheel to crank bolts, or replace them? If you replaced them, where can I find the correct bolts?
3. Same question as 2, but clutch pressure plate bolts. I know I don't have these, what kind do I need?
4. What's the part number for this manual torque arm mount as I will likely need one?
5. Does anyone no the part number for the clutch fork dust boot and the slave cylinder heat shield?

That's all for now, any help is greatly appreciated.

 

So funny this very old thread has been revived. I don't even have the car anymore...

1. Get some mini high torque starter from Summit or something. In order to get the automatic starter out of the car you have to remove the bellhousing (it was a temporary fix, I had to rebuild the tranny later on and replaced the starter then)

2. / 3. new bolts, from Summit. I think it was Mr.Gasket and some other brand.

4. Just give your dealer a call. I didn't see aftermarket mounts...

5. Those parts were out of stock and not reproduced when I asked my dealer. I got them off eBay.

hope that helped!

 

One last question, is there a plate I need to get for the bottom of the bellhousing to keep road debris out?

 

Cover, Flywheel hsg (MC4, M39, MK6) GM 14073767.
Cover, Flywheel hsg (MB1) GM 14036055)

BTW, 84-91 Boot, Clu Fork GM 14007355 is a good number on http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/index.c...TOKEN=43475709

JamesC

 

Gm Part Numbers are as followed

Bracket A 10252375 List price 33.04
Insl Supt 10252374 List price 48.14

I bought these from a dealer in april 2009, they were special order, they were no longer made but they were able to find them somewhere in some dealer ship in tennessee for me. so you may still be able to get them from the dealer.

Sorry it took me so long to get back here haven't had much time these days.

 

As far as the starter, couldn't a person use a stock LT1 starter? I thought I read somewhere that they are smaller and perfect for this sort of thing.

 

i've been thinking of doing this conversion,,,i have some questions...do you need to change the drive shaft from a 700r4 to the T5?....the cross member trans support needs to be changed?..and what other difficulties i can expect?...thanks...
great job BTW!!

 

No and no.

JamesC

 

ok thanks for the quick response..any other things i should know?...like the speedo cable?....the clutch cable....is it hydraulic?...or just a cable?...or the throttle cable is the same fro an auto to t5...anything that would be needed to look out for before i do the swap..thanks.

 

do a search, there's a sticky with info that will answer most, if not all your questions in the trans forum. your questions have been asked and answered 100+ times.

 

Thats weird you had to drill hole for the master cylinder. when I did my 82 it had a hole there already and I just enlarged it a bit then drilled the two small holes for the "U" bolt

 

I just removed my 700R4 for my T5 swap. What are you using to keep your motor level with the rest of the car? I have a jack under the oil pan to keep it level.

 

hi , i just removed my 700r4 on my 350 1985 camaro,,,i took a measurement of the 700r4 flywheel and it is 14' across...the one i got with the T5 is 13'....i thought they are the same for a 305 and 350...where do i get the right flywheel and is this a common issue?,.thanks...help!!

 

great job. you made it look so easy lol

 

I want to do this swap but only have myself. Im most concerned with is can one person do this if so how can I remove the tranny without killing myself and reinstalling the t5? or should I bring it to a tranny shop and let them drop the 700 and install most of the t5? Can this be done or ramps or should I use jackstands?

 

Both jacks and ramps, if your doing it on the groundyou will need a jack and jack stands for holding up the engine and the jack for the trans. It can be done alone, just be careful

 

i am actually doing this swap myself, i am doing it in my garage and trust me it's tight here ....but i jacked tha car up as high as possible and used one jack to hold up the engine and the other i made a little platform and installed on my other floor jack to bring down the 700r4 which weighs a ton!...i am doing this alone and besides some flywheel issues,,,it's going pretty good.