Hi, I just blew my transmission (stock t-5) after putting in a new 406 sbc pushing a mild 350 HP. Im looking at purchasing a rebuilt Super T-10 4 speed. I still have the stock clutch in my 87' camaro and im wondering if this is a solid option? I realize im going to have to get a new yoke because of the larger output shaft of the t-10, and that im going to have to possibly modify the driveshaft. But will the new transmission bolt up to the motor or am i going to encounter more compatability issues? I wanted a tremmec 5 speed but of course money makes that immpossible for now. Any help appreciated.

The transmission im looking at is professionally rebuilt and sold on ebay. I believe there is only one company selling them.

 

A normal T10, will put the shifter slightly forward of where the shifter was on the T5 (about 3" forward).

Driveshaft for the T10 will need to be longer by 3".

Crossmember will need modifications.

Torque arm won't mount to it, but who cares, get the jegster torque arm or some other 3rd link. It shouldn't be mounted to the trans anyway. All it does is break trans mounts when you run slicks. (been there).

-- Joe

 

thanks joe, I knew with wasn't going to slide right in but i was hoping for fewer complications. I may have to ponder this trans a little longer.

 

You just can't win.

A "good" trans that will hold 500 foot lbs costs nearly $2700 for everything.

A T5 is a nice street trans. A T10 is ok too, a little stronger, but no OD.
If I had tons of money to waste, I'd probably go TKO500.

Another thing, if you use the cocked T5 bell housing you might run into problems. I'm not sure how the early thirdgen T10 setups were, but the T5 bell housing is angled. You probably want to run a muncie bell housing. But then the hydraulics might be of issue..

Ahh. what a pita.


-- Joe

 

T56 swaps cost half that or less. Or I'm guessing you're biased away from the T56 for some reason?? TKO units are a waste of $ in any 3rd/4thgen Fbody.. They have their place in pre-80s cars and hotrods where other issues are paramount, but the T56 was made for Fbodies...

 

Hi Mike,

Oddly enough I just sold my '96 Z28 with a T56.

They are an ok transmission, similar to the ZF6 I had in my 500hp corvette that I sold 3 months ago. The pull style clutch in the LT1 version is kind of stupid, but other than that they are an OK transmission.

Cons of the T56 is going to be:

The corvette clutch design
The fact that they don't make a 2pc rear style flywheel with a deep spring pocket.
The weight of the transmission compared to a stronger TKO
The shifter location.
Speedometer won't work without a converter

I'm not entirely convinced they are cheap either. If someone dropped a complete LT1 T56 into my lap for $800, I'd probably use it but that is unlikely. I don't think I've ever seen one local, and to ship one adds cost.


Pros of course are that it's stronger than a T5, and if you have a stock car you can use 6th gear, or if you have a big cam and want to go 300 miles per hour.

A T56 was made for LT1/LS1 Fbody's. Not for a thirdgen.

So without disrespect, price out what a complete T56 install will cost, every nut and bolt with a legit one posted for sale today, not some wicked great deal you saw 2 years ago.


-- Joe

 

Only pre87 thirdgens have 2pc RMS motors, and aftermarket (albeit pricey) 2pcRMC flywheels are available.

Having 50 extra pounds low and in the center of the car is not detrimental to any but the most extreme race car.

Shifter location is the same as the 700r4/T5, just a longer base.

Only pre90 cars need a speedo converter, and there are options (albeit pricey again) for mech speedo conversions.

Having to drive a 600hp motor on $3/gal gas is another PRO for 6th gear..

The 450lb-ft rating on the stock T56 is a warranty rating, I've seen plenty of them hold up to 600lb-ft+ cars, and upgrades make them virtually indestructible. Having an OEM transmission makes getting replacement parts much nicer as well.

Most any additional costs associated with a T56 swap will be present or countered by extra costs of a TKO swap. Just keeping the facts out on the table.

mike

 

Yep, CTF-700107 which is over $350. So if you already have a nice flywheel, might as well throw it away. And if you want to keep your 168 tooth flywheel, tough luck.

I'll give you that.

No, it's 2" farther back according to the Skulte FAQ on the swap.

Again. $$$

In all seriousness, it's a matter of if 6th puts you in a usable powerband. On my Corvette, I couldn't use 6th at anything slower than 75mph because it put me under the cams powerband and I'd get surge.

Well, we've seen them explode with 400hp cars too, and the same could be said for T5s. I've run T5s to 120mph in the 1/4 without breaking them.

The OEM parts thing doesn't matter. They are both made by Tremec, so if I need parts I'm going there not the dealer.

I don't know mike, I mean, really itemize and price out a complete T56 swap into an automatic 1985 Camaro, then price out a complete TKO500 swap into the same car. I don't think the savings are all that great, plus your getting an unknown used transmission. Flywheel, crossmember, speedo decoder, special pull type clutch, etc.


-- Joe

 

If your interested I have a crossmember and a drive shaft that will work with a Super T-10.