Hey all, just have a relatively simple question, I guess.... My T5 in my 88 Trans Am went bad recently, and I am going to have to replace it... I was wondering if I should try to get a used T5 from somewhere else, or to get a new one from GM or a third-party, if possible, and all the good questions related to that. Bear in mind I have to pay for the labor, because I'm at school now, and don't have the facilities, or time, to work on a project like this... Well, I hope you all can help, thanks in advance.

-Bill

 

Get a used '94+ T56. It will outlast any T5 and you have that extra 6th gear for cruising. It will pretty much bolt right up since you have a T5 car. The only thing you'll need to worry about is the crossmember and the speedometer recalibration. Neither of those are a problem though. You can get a crossmember from Steve Spohn for $100 and a speedo recalibration box from Cyberdyne for about $80.

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1991 Z28 - 350 TPI, T56, Centerforce Dual Friction clutch, ported plenum & runners, AFPR, Holley Annihilator ignition box and wires, Hooker shorty headers w/o AIR, no cats, Flowmaster muffler, homeade ram-air, SSM subframe connectors, Steve Spohn adjustable torque arm and T56 crossmember

 

Better idea:

Tremec TKO 5-speed from Forte's Parts Connection. Why?

1. Cheaper than T56.
2. Handles more torque than T56.
3. Don't need shorter rear gears to use 6th.
4. Easier installation.
5. Direct bolt-in w/Forte's kit.

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1989 Formula, 383", DFI, Mini-Ram, S-Trim Vortech, blah, blah...
Best ET: 10.796 @ 125.8 mph

TURBO 406 PROJECT STARTED!!!

Other expensive hobby: assault weapons/shooting sports

Employed at:
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Member of Midwest F-Body Association
http://www.mfba.org

 

How can you say that the Tremec is better? First off, it is not cheaper than a T56. I got my T56 for $1200. It had less than 40,000 miles on it and it came with everything I needed to swap it into an auto car(except the crossmember and speedo box) so you could probably get just the transmission with bellhousing and clutch assembly for around $1000. The Tremec costs almost $2000.

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1991 Z28 - 350 TPI, T56, Centerforce Dual Friction clutch, ported plenum & runners, AFPR, Holley Annihilator ignition box and wires, Hooker shorty headers w/o AIR, no cats, Flowmaster muffler, homeade ram-air, SSM subframe connectors, Steve Spohn adjustable torque arm and T56 crossmember

 

I'm still split down the middle about the T5 and T56 issue. I plan on replacing mine soon enough in the future. Here is what I found.

Tremec
Handles more torque than T56
Direct bolt in
Can use OEM style clutch
Lighter
Only 5 speeds

T56
Weighs more
Must use LT1 flywheel/clutch (expensive and extremely heavy!)
6 gear is a pro, however, most people never see 6th gear legally unless running higher than a 3.42 rear end.


The one option, although it usually cost more than the Tremec, is to get a redrilled one, that takes most of the cons out of the equation except for the shorter driveshaft (which most people go aluminum eventually anyway and is about the same price as a new one from GM). If you're handy with a drill and a welder this option can be done cheaply.


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1984 WS6 Trans Am Hartop
Former L69 Car under restoration
1984 WS6 Trans Am T-top car
4-bolt main 350, headers, Holley 650, T-5 and 3.23's.
Daily driver and restoration

 

You cant get yours fixed? Finding a used replacement World Class T5 (you want the World Class version, from years 88-92) can be tough, and it will probably cost $4-500. Getting a T56 or a Tremec will cost well over $1500 for everything, probably over $2000.

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1991 Camaro Z28
5.7L 5-Speed (originally 305)
13.25 @ 107.18 MPH
Southern California
Member: SoCal 3rd Gen F-Bodies
Webmaster: SoCal F-Bodies
-=ICON Motorsports=-

 

Well all, after discusing with the mechanic, he thinks rather than get a new one, or a rebuilt one from another car, he will just do the rebuild himself. Although I'd love a T56, or even a Tremec, it is going to be cheaper for the rebuild, and I don't have a lot of extra cash lying around. So, I guess I'm taking Kevin's suggestion, although I got it after my decision was made.
Thanks again, all!

-Bill

 

I,m having the same problem now with my T-5 looked at about five used ones all were in poor shape, trying to find a new unit.some shops near me want up to 1200 to rebuild.was going to go with 6spd but want to keep it stock. If I get a line on anything will let you know.
--------------------------------------------- 85 T/A WS6 77 T/A T/A6.6 73 T/A SD455