I know the T-5 is supposed to be rated for only 330 ft-lbs of torque, and rumor has it that it will fail behind strong 350's. What I would really like to know is what fails and how? Is the case flexing, or is it an internal weakness? I'm almost positive that the torque arm being mounted to the back of the trans doesn't help, but how much does it it hurt?

There has got to be a pattern to failures because of to strong of an engine.

What I'm after here is this: Assuming the trans is in good shape and wasn't abused by dumping the clutch, would it live, say 50,000 miles, behind a 383 that produces in excess of 380 ft-lbs at the rear wheels?

 

All of the T-5 transmissons I have went threw spun the needle bearings where the input and output shafts come together. If someone knows a way to make it stronger at this point please let me know.

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Mike s

 

Contact Mediatronics Corp. for their T5 5 Speed Counter Gear Stabilizer Kit. Click on the link, then click on "what's new" scroll down about halfway and click on the "T5 Page" listed in the body of the August 98 post. http://www.gearzone.net

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90 RS Convertible
Owner: Top-Down Solutions
(626)369-0040

http://www.sc3gfb.org/members/lonsal.html
http://www.taskerinc.com/gs3/profiles/Lon_profile.htm

 

Been there before, looked all over, they never say one word about where the failures occur from over powering. The kit you mention only says that part fails, not if it's from extreme torque or the only spot that fails.

There is a reason that the trans is reported to not be able to handle a strong 383. A friend and I getting real tempted to find out with his new engine. With the connections I've got I can get a shaft made (titainium if he wants to spend the $), or a gear cut. If I can find the problem I can figure out if it's a cost effective solution to at least try to make it last for a year until he can afford a T-56 swap.