I checked the archives, and many members have mentioned that the World Class T5 made its appearance in 88. Imagine my surprise, when in this month's Car Craft, page 71, we're told that 'Any 85-and-newer production T5 is considered a World Class unit.' The author goes on to say, 'The 85-and-newer T5s have a rating of 300 lb-ft torque, an extra 35 lb-ft over the Non-World Class units [which are apparently 83-84 units].' That said, the author does provide a way to check. Any comments?

JamesC

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I believe they are mistaken, the WC T5 started in 88.

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"American made baby. 100% American iron. The muscle among the masses. My hero. Yep, you can take your ergonomically designed, space age, computer controlled, 4 door, cup holding map lighted split double wishbone split fold down retractable cargo covered moon roof piece of transportation and keep it. For I have felt the thunder. And I know the difference!"
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Jester,

Not that I'm disagreeing with you, since I have no personal experiece in the matter whatsoever, but what leads you and others to believe that 88 was the first year of the World Class? I'd appreciate any info.

JamesC

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I heard somewhere that Borg Warner started making the World Class T5 in 1985, and Mustangs got it. GM didnt switch to the World Class until 1988. I'm not 100% on any of this, except I know GM used the WC in 1988 and up.

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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=-

 

I found two sources, Camaro Performance Handbook and How to Tune & Modify Your Camaro: 1982-1998, which claim that two T5s were manufactured, one from 83 to 87, and a stronger, up-graded version from 88 to 98, 'though only in V6 application from 1993-up.' By the way, the Car Craft article seems to contradict itself. Anyway, thanks for the info.

JamesC

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James C is correct. I found that the mustang got the world class guts earlier but still wasnt rated at 305 ftlbs until 1990 two years later than GM. Kevin

 

on another note i have heard that the world class t-5 is no stronger than the regular t-5 i called about rebuild kits and while talking to the guy asked if i could put world class t-5 rebuild kit in a regular t-5 he said that i couldnt and asked why i would do that, i told him about how the wc t-5s are stronger, he told me this was untrue and that anytime they have a problem with the wc t-5s they put a earlier model t-5 in it , so i am confused on the strength issue of wether the wc is stronger as for production goes, he told me that the wc t-5 was 88-92 .

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87 IROC-z 305 TPI 5spd Borg warner 9-bolt 3.45 posi 4 wheel disc,8.8 Accel wires , bosch platinum +4 plugs,gutted air box,k&n oil filter,synthetic oil 10w30

 

well that tranny guy is full of crap- the wc t5's had some different internal structure, which i believe included some larger diameter shafts if i am not mistaken, so the guts of a wc t5 can not be swappedinto a t5, BUT the wct5 is a better tranny (stronger)