I am being offered a fully built 383 (minus the heads) by one of my friends who was going to put it into his '89 IROC but changed his mind. I have a WC T-5 and my mechanic said it could handle the power, but I just wanted a 2nd (or 3rd) opinion. My mechanic owns a chevelle and a nova and builds them up to run 10s, 9s and i think the nova has seen high 8s

Anyway, any opinions on this? Thanks a lot!

Eric

 

it depends how built the engine is, if its real mild it SHOULD be allright, but it its pretty built your going to be playing russian rolette with that trans, it is way too weak to handle the 383's torque

 

Well in reality you got a short block. Now you have to figure out what heads and stuff your gonna put on it. You can put factory heads, and make it a 14 second motor, or you can put like brodix heads on it and make it
a 10 second motor.

If this is gonna be a street driven car, I'm not sure if you're gonna ever see 10s. I have a buddy with a 383 powered Camaro, drag only car. 10.94 e/t. Could never be driven on the street with that cam/timing. And if it had street cam/timing it would be a 12 second car.

-- Joe

(btw I use a T5)


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/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
1989 Formula 350 4-bolt mains, Forged .030 TRW pistons, SLP 51010 Roller Cam, Comp-cams roller lifters,
Summit 1.5 roller rockers, World Products Sportsman II 2.02/1.60 heads, Edelbrock TPI Intake,
Cloyes Double Roller, timing chain, Mellings oil pump: 13.5 @ 100.23 MPH

Since close of track : Ported SLP runners, Ported Plenum, AFPR, Autometer 100lbs gauge, A/F ratio gauge.

http://www.joesperformance.com

 

Assuming some world heads with appropriate cam/valve lift, will the world class T-5 hold the power? I think it will, it is the clutch I am worried about burning out (I would eventually get a DF Friction one)

thanks a lot!

Eric

 

I have a T5 behind my 350. It puts out a lot of torque. It's fine so far. It's ALL in HOW you drive it !

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1992 Z28 5.7 TPI

ZZ4 longblock
Harland Sharp roller rockers
Accel base and SLP siamesed runners,
52MM SLP Throttle Body
Hooker Headers & Flowmaster catback
MSD6A ignition
aluminum driveshaft
World Class 5-speed

 

I know a guy with a Trans Am that he put a built 350 in with a T5. It lasted maybe 9 months in his mid/low 12 second car (probably 100+ races) before it went BANG.

 

If you're worried about your clutch, dont get a Centerforce, get a McLeod. They're much better.
I've got almost 500 ft/lbs at the flywheel and a couple dozen races, and so far, so good. But I have a T56 waiting to go in.


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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=-

 

Anybody have any experiece with those WC trannies? Are they equal in strength to the tremecs? Also, what action is it that actually causes the tranny to break? I have always had slipping clutches from launching a lot (and hard ), and the reason my old tranny died was from worn out synchros that destroyed the tranny

thanks in advance!

Eric

 

No, a WCT5 is only slightly better than a regular T5. The WCT5 came on 88-92 thirdgens. A Tremec 5-speed is a special aftermarket 5-speed built to handle the power.

I dont know specifically what is bad about a T5, other than the weak casing and weak third gear.

 

Would changing the shifter to something like a PRO 5.0 help it any?

I would like to keep my tranny, but possibly buy an extra (since they aren't expensive) and learn how to rebuild it...that way I can shift like I want and have an extra just in case.

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89 TransAmGTA L98/Auto Grey/Grey T-Tops
Best 1/8th: 9.02 @ 76
89 TransAmGTA LB9/5speed FlameRed/GreyLeather Hard Top

 

You better baby it until you can get a ritchmond or put a 6speed in it.It can't handle that kind of tq.Have fun while you
got it.

 

If it breaks a gear it will take out the cluster gear also, those two parts will set you back as much as buying another trans.
So.... be careful!

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Chronologically challenged. But still kicking!
'92 CAMARO RS
305 TBI 5/spd (now TPI)
B4C Alt.
Cam change:TRW 198/210 ,450/.460 114 LSA
Stock TBI manifolds
'85 IROC 3" Cat. back Exhaust
14.94-92.00 mph
SDPC base and "350" Vortec coming soon!
'69 camaro-BB/Lenco,1050 dominators, /Pump Gas/no drugs 8.97-150+/3200lbs.
SoCal Thirdgen F-Bodies

 

Don't power shift. Don't use slicks like Hoosiers or Mickey Thompsons.

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'91 Formula
383CI Superram, Sportman II's
SLP Cam 214/224 .470/.490
Vortech V1 S-Trim with custom 8 rib pullies
5-speed
3.42
12.34@117.04, 1.91 60Ft.
on Drag Radials

 

What about BFG Drag Radials, or ET Streets...would they be okay to use?

 

I have a non-world class 5 speed in my car right now. I've ran a best of 8.54 in the 8th mile. This was spinning in first gear. I've gone through two clutches and just now a rear end. The tranny has almost 200,000 miles on it. The trick is to not powershift or not to run anything but street tires. No Dr's.

Thanks,

Jason