I got a good deal on 2 caprice (stock) Lt1 engines, and i plan to swap them into my car.

I want to know HOW to swap in a T5 behind them....

You read right. I know it wont hold, and i know your cousin's buddy's brother put one in and it grenaded instantly as soon as he picked up a wrench to swap it in, but i dont care.

My car wont be seeing any track time or racing or hard driving. Please keep the "T5 sucks" comments to yourself.

I can get a complete T5 swap for a very very good deal, and am debating whether i should go with this, or a WCT5 which i can also get for a good deal, but not as good as the regular T5......

T5 = $100 from a freind
WCT5 = $500

As long as the T5 can handle daily driving i dont care.

Please tell me if youve done this, and what was required. Ill probably need a 1pc rms Flywheel from a T5 car, instead of the 2pc one im getting. And will probably need a way to convert an 86 T5 speedo gear into a 87 firebird VSS signal. Will i need a different cross member for me car? Different torque mount? etc etc...

 

i have a non w/c t5 behind my lt1 and it seemed to hold up good i beat the crap out of it. you just use the flywheel and all other parts from a t5 third gen.

 

perfect, just what i was hoping to hear.

Did you run into any wierd issues, like hydraulics in the way of the exhaust, or anything wierd like that? What did you use for a speedo?

 

I've had a T5 behind my 220 HP 350 for four years with no problems. I wouldn't say I beat it but I don't drive like a granny either. The issue, as I understand it, is that the case flexes under higher torque. So, as long as you don't "shock" the tranny by slamming the clutch all the time you should be alright.

I know I've seen at least one cross member on Ebay in the last couple of days.

As for hydraulics, if you don't come across a donor set you might actually be better off putting something together yourself. I say this because the travel on the clutch pedal is really long (do a search and you'll find a number of posts with this complaint).

A number of people have posted praise for Mcleod's adjustable master cylinder and that it makes the clutch more comfortable to use (http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...115+4294771827). It's something I'm toying with for my car but it will cost more than your T5! The slave is still available from NAPA ($50.00 or so).

I didn't have to contend with the speedo issues as my Camaro has a cable drive speedo. Dakota Digital would probably have a converter that would solve that problem.

Jon

 

With reference to exhaust clearance, I should mention that I eventually wrapped the hose that goes from the MC to the slave in heat wrap. This was after the hose contacted the header one day as I went around a corner. Lots of smoke, no clutch, bill for towing...yeah that sucked.

Jon

 

i never had any problems with the exhaust clearence. as for the speedo my car was already a five speed car so i just used the original electronic speedo sending unit.

 

I put a howe hydraulic TOB behind mine. This way you can run a steal braided line and not worry about the heat. I think the install went very simple and also free'd up some room were my LT header collector is because it eliminated the clutch fork. IDK just an idea.

 

Alright, I have a 91 RS w/ LT1 Swapped, connected to a T5 that was originally in the car. I'm looking at the wiring diagrams, and it shows the VSS signal going through the old PCM to buffer the speedometer signal, and then to the cluster. My question is what to do now that the 305 computer is no longer in the car? Thanks for your help.

 

I remember reading something about the clutch pedals. For the T5, go with the 3rd gen pedal assembly. They are suppose to work better than the fourth gen ones when using a T5.

 

what happened to your t56?

 

Are u talkin to me?

 

I was wondering the same thing since I followed the T56 swap you did on one car, but I assume this is a different vehicle.

As far as the T5 behind an LT1 it'll work. The dimensions of an LT1 are the same as a gen 1 so that won't matter. Just get all 3rd gen stuff, just keep in mind your gonna have to drive like an old lady if you go with the non WC

 

The T56 is alive and well, but its time for a change.

Im swapping the driveline, in an effort to drop the "asking price".....

 

I replied to the T56 page... ooops. So the T56 flywheel will not work for a T5 period? and i already have pedals and all hydraluics from a 4th gen. You guys saying this stuff will not work either or is it just harder. I just picked up a trans and clutch assy from a guy. Its from an 86bird, should i grab the flywheel and whatelse from it.....

 

So the t5 flywheel,bellhousing, will bolt up to the lt1

 

Yes. As long as it is a V8 bellhousing. I'm. Running one in my car.

 

the rear of the LT1 / LT4 engine is exactly like an 86 305 / 350. Same seal, crank face, flywheel bolt pattern, bellhousing bolt pattern, oil passage plugs. The engine balance is the same (flywheels can swap.)