Hello everyone,

I recently bought a T-5 out of a 95 Camaro V6 in hopes of replacing the one in my '89 2.8 RS, since the syncros in 1st and 3rd are gone and the transmission seems like its about to fall apart. I assumed (to my own mistake) that since the block on the 3.4 and 2.8 are the same that the transmissions ought to be the same type. I found out the hard way this morning when I pulled the original transmission that the ears that bolt on the bell housing are different (turns out the later 4th Gen T5 is the Ford style.) I do have the 4th gen bellhousing though. It seems the spline count on the later T5 is greater, but I thought only the V8 T5's had greater spline counts, and the input shaft for the V6 didn't change over the years? Second off, if I use the 4th T-5 bellhousing and go get a clutch to fit the later T-5, will it work with whats already in the car? Thirdly, do the different VSS units interchange between the Ford and GM style transmissions? Finally, there is someone near me with a T5 out of an 86 2.8. While I know those T5's are NWC, are they the same ratio, and will they fit without changing the bellhousing (my dad doesn't want to do the extra work and help me change the bell housing for the other transmission)? I am still trying to decide whether or not to rebuild the old transmission, or try and put in the new one, or go buy yet another transmission... The old T5 is a 177, the new one is a 245 (those are the last three digits that I.D. the transmission.) and the 86 one, I have no idea.

Thanks in advance,
Robert

 

The flywheel is also different. I put a .94 Camaro 3.4 in my S10 truck and had to use a 2.8 flywheel. The 3.4 flywheel is thicker, and I'm pretty sure that the 3.4 bellhousng is deeper. I left the 3.4 T5 on the ground when I got my 3.4, so I can't compare it to the 2.8 transmission.

 

Isn't the 2.8 internally balanced, whereas the 3.4 isn't or something? I guess I am kind of confused. Will the 2.8 flywheel work with the later 3.4 T5, and what do I have to swap to get the trans to work with the 2.8?

BTW, Thanks for the response.

 

The early 2.8 was externally ballanced. Around '86 it became internally ballanced. The 3.4 has always been internally ballanced.

 

I guess if both engines in question are internally balanced, then maybe I will go source a 3.4 flywheel and see if that works (perhaps even the 2.8 might??) with the 2.8 engine in front of it. Maybe I can actually get the car going again...

 

If you are using the 2.8 bellhousing then you will probably need the 2.8 flywheel. If you use the 3.4 flywheel you can probably use the 3.4 clutch, bellhousing and 3.4 transmission. It might space the transmission back farther in your car.

 

Yeah the 2.8 bell housing doesn't work with the new transmission. Hmm..I'm getting the feeling not only do I need a clutch and flywheel, but if the bellhousings are different lengths, I will probably need to get a 3.4 driveshaft (this is making the assumption that the distance between the engine and rear end didn't change from thirdgen to fourth gen...). Man this could be a piece of work, but I guess it still might be do able. I just hope the bellhousing lengths aren't different.

 

Didn't they rotate the transmission slightly in the 4th gen Camaro?

 

Dude it's painfully obvious that the easiest solution to your problem would be to get the correct trans for your application. The 3rd gen, V6 T5's are so easy to come by it's a joke. For every one V8 T5 you may find for sale, you'll probably stumble across a dozen or more V6 ones. In fact, a lot of guys needing a V8 one don't pay enough attention when buying a replacement one end up getting shafted with a V6 trans. Also, if you want to have a WC version, any 88-92 V6 T5 will be a WC unit, and even if it was behind a 90 and newer 3.1 V6, it'll bolt up and work perfect behind your 2.8. I'm not trying to give you a harsh response, just giving you an honest answer. Trying to retrofit an oddball trans in there just ends up being one problem after another. That's fine if you have plenty of time and money to either locate or fabricate special parts to make it work, but it sounds like in your case you just need an affordable replacement that'll bolt right in. I'll bet if you check ebay right now, you'll probably find about a dozen V6, 3rd gen T5's for sale. Btw, the different spline count you mentioned on the newer trans is yet another problem. The 4th gen T5's use the same 26 spline input shaft that the 3rd gen, V8 T5's use, so you'd have to find a special clutch disc that's the smaller V6 diameter with the correct spline count. The 4th gen disc might work, but who knows for sure. Just my .

 

Thanks. Your right, I suppose. Honestly, looking through Craigslist and ebay, I haven't seen a lot in my neck of the woods in terms of world class T5's for Third Gen Camaros, and if I do its usually a little more than I can afford(I am a student right now). Strange as it may seem, most of the scrapyards I go by either want big money ($400+) for a used T5, which probably isn't better than mine, or they don't have any at all. But at any rate I'm sure I can still turn around and sell the new transmission and break even. I guess it would be a major PITA to adapt this thing, but man for the quotes I got to rebuild my old T5 (all north of 550), it seemed worth a shot. I'm sure getting all the stuff for an automatic from the junkyard is also just about as costly and time consuming, so it seems like I'm almost better off putting the old T5 back in and just getting rid of the car altogether(engine and rear end need some work too). Thanks for your all's help.

 

Yeah, I have to agree on the junkyard thing. I think most of them have been sniffing glue when they quote a price for a used T5. Granted, the V8 ones are worth a bit of money, but the V6 ones should be a dime a dozen. Most junkyards don't take that into account and price all of them the same. If you keep your eyes peeled on ebay and craigslist, you can usually snag a V6 one for $100-$200. I got really lucky at a local pick-and-pull a while back. I managed to grab a newly rebuilt WC, V8 T5 out of a 3rd gen along with the clutch, bellhousing, flywheel, pedals, shifter, hydraulics, etc. Basically the whole shooting match for a paltry $135! Apparently whoever owned the car had put a rebuilt trans in it and then just gave up and decided to junk it. The bolts were only finger tight where it bolted to the bellhousing, and the ATF in it was still a nice clear red! Yeah, if you have to pay a shop to fix your T5, it'd definitely be cheaper to just buy a used one in working condition. You might want to do a search in the classifieds here on the site. It seems like I remember seeing a V6 T5 for sale not long ago on here for like $90. You could also post an ad in the parts wanted section. The V6 3rd gens get parted out all the time, so I'm sure someone on the site has a T5 you could use.

 

If you need one I have one that is disassembled. The input shaft is rusted to the point that I think it would damage the pilot bushing, but everything else is good. I was going to rebuild it, but it might be just as well for me to sell it as is.