I've been told that the t5 is a weak tranny. The engine I'm putting will have about 400hp when it's in and its gonna bolt to the t5. Should I start shopping for a new tranny now so when it blows I'll have one, or are they stronger than I think.

 

Lots of people have put 350's in front of the T-5 with no problem. It all depends how you drive it. Obviously GM didn't feel the T-5 would stand up to a lot of abuse. The later world class (88-89 up?) was a bit stronger.

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1985 Yellow IROC-Z 5.0 HO, T-5 3.73 Torsen, 4 wheel disks
PFCM pads, GTA wheels, Koni yellows, B&M Ripper, Dynomax

 

Start shopping for a T56 now, but you can use the T5 for a little while, as long as you take it easy. Mine is holding up fine so far, but I've had to replace 2nd and 3rd gear and their synchros. I've got a T56 that will go in as soon as I get the McLeod clutch to go with it.

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1991 Camaro Z28
5.7L 5-Speed (originally 305)
317 RWHP, 418 RWTQ
13.23 @ 107.62 MPH (2.10 60')
Southern California
Member: SoCal 3rd Gen F-Bodies
Member: SoCal F-Bodies
-=ICON Motorsports=-

 

Yeah, I have a T5 behind a 350, but I plan on replacing it with a Tremec TKO in the spring.
Beat the T5 up pretty bad with the stock 305,requiring 2nd gear, a shift fork and syncros.Really not worth rebuilding, unless you like to do it often.Spend some $ and get a T56 ot Tremec,and you will be much happier in the long run.
-Rich-

 

You might want to check out a discussion (ZF6 v. T56) that is below this topic. A guy was considering a ZF trans.