Ok i know the t5/ 350 case has been covered, reviewed, and closed but i wanted to start a thread strictly for my new motors sake

Ive talked to alot of people about it and im getting mixed opinions on it

One side; bad idea grenade the thing in the first week. go T56 (plan to but broke cuz im doing body work and motor work at the same time)

The opposing side; just dont shock load it at 6 grand and youll be fine.

opinions anyone? Its WC if it helps, i cant remember what the exact TQ rating for the t5 is but would i hit that threshold on a day to day drive? i dont normally rocket around anymore, but i would like to know if i could hit up the track once to get a 1/4 mile time on the new motor or should i just wait fo the t56?

either way its going in when its done

Odd side note: my instructor Steven Julius work at the GM proving grounds through our cars productions and said that they tested the t5/350 combo by winding it out to 5 grand and dumping the clutch, he said it took multiple attempts to grenade the thing but over time it can happen, any input on this?

 

Mixed opinions are all that you'll get. If you're a worrier, the best bet is to save your dough for the T56.

JamesC

 

im not worrying about it too much but i just want to know my limits with it

 

A T5 should have no problems holding up to daily,casual driving. That said, abuse will take its toll and eventually leave you on the side of the road. A good aftermarket shifter with stops on that T5 might help it live a little longer as well, by preventing damage to the forks and other internals

 

well sfeeny is having good luck with his t5/350 combo, im thinking the abuse thing makes sense, but as long as you dont plant all the power to the ground with sticky tires i dont think itll explode. Im not one for abusing my car but if i wanna have a little fun i dont wanna be afraid to ya know?

 

You'll always have to be a little afraid with a T5 and a healthy small block. But yeah, the general consensus around here is if you drive it sensibly without beating the snot out of it, it should hold up okay. Board member Anesthes ran a WC T5 behind a very stout 383 for years and never blew it up. Of course down the road, when you can fit it in your budget, definitely upgrade to either a T56 or a Tremec TKO. With either of those trannys, you won't have to worry about the "what if" factor anymore. Basically GM's view on it back in the day was that it was too much of a crapshoot using the T5 behind a 350 when the financial penalties of replacing them under warranty is the major deciding factor. The 3 basic requirements for giving a T5 a fighting chance behind a strong motor are street tires, no powershifting, and no high-rpm clutch dumps. In other words, don't "drive it like you stole it" until you get the T56 or the TKO.

 

I've posted my experience several times so I'm surprised you didnt find it.

My T5 lasted all the way to 12 second ET's and over 400 RWTQ before it grenaded third gear. I had ET Streets and launched around 3000-4000 rpms.

As said above, it should last forever if you're driving it around on the street. If you start racing it, then third gear is on borrowed time.

 

I've been running a WC T5 behind a mild 355 for 2 summers now with no problems. My car turns low 13s on street tires. I do have a B&M shifter but other than that everything is stock. I did have the trans rebuilt by a friend before I installed it. So far no problems at all. I also only make it to the track once a month if I'm lucky.