What is the better manual transmission, the World Class T-5 or the Borg Warner T-5? I am running a stock 305.

 

Neither. The T5 is made by Borg-Warner. "World Class" is just a designation used to differentiate the later model T5's from the earlier ones. The "World Class"(WC) and "Non-World Class"(NWC) T5's were both used in 3rdgens. The NWC was used through 87, with the WC replacing it in 88. While the WC does have a slightly higher torque rating, if you aren't driving it real hard you probably wouldn't notice the difference.

 

I know the stock ratings on the regular T-5s supposedly won't hold up to the 350 TPI motors. Will WC T-5s hold up to some decent horsepower?

Thanks,
Bill

 

It depends on what you mean by "decent." The WC T5's can take a bit more power than the standard T5's, but its the torque that kills them. Everyone's experience seems to differ, but if you drive it "normally", meaning no power shifting/clutchless shifting/clutch popping you should be ok. Any abuse will kill even a WC T5. There is an actual number out there, I just can't remember it right now. Make sure your trans mount is in good shape and the case is not cracked. If you have a lot of miles on it, you might want to consider a rebuild just to be safe. I'm putting mine behind a 350, but I'm rebuilding the trans now and am not looking at more than about 275-300 horse right now out of the engine.

 

No problems with my non-WC after several years behind a 350/330.

JamesC

 

Mine broke little things like dog bones and sliders, but when I started running 12's it shattered all the teeth off third gear.

 

Yeah, I've heard thats a common issue. The other problem I've seen with them are twisted splines on the input shaft. A friend of mine once bent his input shaft and only had 4th gear after that. That was an interesting ride home that nite. He had an 89 RS with the 2.8, but he wasn't very gentle with it either.