i just wanted to know if anyone has put a combo like this in a camaro and how it turned out. i have a 83 z28 with a 400 and a 700r4 and i dont like the auto plus i ripped it out it didnt hold up. lol. i wanted to know how it would turn out with a t-5 in it. i have two of them so getting the parts isnt a prob plus i have two donar cars so i have all the parts just curios if i was alone in thes adventure.

------------------
83 z28 400sbc 85 v6 88 v6

 

i trust a t-5 as far as i can throw it. they are only rated at 300 ft/lbs and they just feel sloshy to me, at least the one in my car does. i am about to put my 6 speed in and i am in favor of that, some people pn here have tremec 5 speeds and they are rated at like 450 ft/lbs or something like that.

------------------
Brandon
"ScreaminDeamin 360"
350 60 over, TRW forged 9.83:1 pistons,Hooker Comp headers, crane cam 216/228 .484/.512, crane 1.6 RR's, ported plenum, home made ram air, 24lb SVO injectors, crane AFPR, all going through 3 inch mandrel pipe and a flowmaster.
New project-89 IROC-305 5spd...Jamex Springs...and thats just about it!Soon- 6 speed, Pro 5.0 shifter and 4.10's
http://users.argolink.net/bvana

http://ScreaminDeamin.cz28.com

 

a 400 sbc will kill a crappy t-5. 10 bucks says it dies on the first run.

 

There is a lot of misinformation out there.

The answer is that it depends on which model of T-5 and how it is setup. A non-World Class model will suffer a pretty quick death behind any power, however a WC model can be built to handle some decent power.

As an example...Levy Racing in Phoenix, AZ deals with the F**d version of the WC T-5 and with proper setup and a good aftermarket shifter, they have T-5's living behind 600 hp engines and in cars that are getting high 10's in the quarter. Propaganda you say? Well, I have seen a few magazine articles that substantiate the information.

Bottom line: to put a 400 sbc in front of a T-5, you need an externally balanced flywheel that is 12.75", not the larger 14" one from the 70's.

The cost on this is about $250 new...Also, the starter comes with the donor car will be needed.

As sad as it is, the F**d guys use the T-5 all the time, I think a lot of the bad reputation from this tranny is from people who powershift trannies with 100K on them with a stock shifter, breaking the clutch forks, synchros, etc.

I have done a lot of research on this, let me know if you have any more questions...

-Adam

 

What can I do to beef my wc t-5? Mine has been flawless. I am really not sure where people get the idea that they are weak. It is usually people that don't have them.

------------------
1991 Firebird
350 L98 (was a 305 TBI),T-5,Edelbrock TES and cat back,Accel manifold
NOS,subframes,jegster torque arm,MSD Digital 6
AFPR,Lakewood lcas
Hurst linelock,SLP cam (206 212 .480 .486),relocated battery,cold air,Hypertech chip,centerforce df,clutch
poly bushings and mounts
AFR 190s
Harland sharp 1.5 rockers
autopower rollbar

12.33 @ 114.83 juiced uncorrected

13.510 @ 102 non juiced uncorrected

 

Hey GoFaster,

Thanks for piping in here...your time is 12.33 on juice! That should say something right there...

As for improving:

1. Get a good stock aftermarket shifter. One of the breakage points is overextending the clutch forks and a good shifter will prevent that.

2. NO POWERSHIFTING. GoFaster has obviously figured this out. No manual trans synchros will last if you do this.

3. Try www.hanlonmotorsports.com
They have stronger 3rd gears, plus an overhaul kit with all necessary parts.

T-5's are good for into the 12's (occasional strip use) and the key is not to apply the power until the gears are engaged, otherwise you will sheer the gears...make sense to all?

Lastly, I have seen posts from a few guys with the 305 TBI in a 91 or 92 WC T-5 who say that they can't keep the trannies together...I say it is poor driving if you blow it up with a stock TBI engine...

-Adam

 

Hey, my tranny came from a 305 TBI.

 

No man, I am not implying that your tranny is weak, all T-5's from 88-92 are WC...

My point is that there are people who complain that the T-5 can't handle the "power" of the TBI 305, who think it must be **** because they can't shift a transmission...compare this to others who are running mid-12's with the WC T-5 that has never been rebuilt.

In short, it is all a matter of skill...so be careful of what you listen to. Another one story I like is that someone will take a v6 T-5 and put it behind a stock V8 and bitch that it failed...lumping all T-5's together...that is like comparing a v-6 700R4 from the early 80's to a 1992 v8 version...no comparison

-Adam

 

How does your 406 run? What mods?

 

This winter I am plannning on putting in my 406. Anything I should know?

 

I think, in fairness to all T-5 owners out there looking to go 12's, GoFasterFirebird just broke his T-5. He sheared off about 8 teeth on third gear, so it worked for awhile....

 

Sure...for a stock trans though, it worked well. Just rebuild it with a Motorsport 3rd gear and replace anything else...

www.hanlonmotorsports.com

As for the 383 or 406 swap, you also need an externally balanced flywheel...unless you have had yours internally balanced...


As a side note, I also have for sale a McLeod flywheel new in box for a 383 or 406 swap. 12.75", externally balanced for the T-5. New $240...selling for $160 plus shipping. Email me directly for that..


[This message has been edited by 88TPI406GTA (edited October 09, 2001).]