totalrod2

If this has been already covered, please let me know (I searched but couldn't find anything). Is it possible to change the overdrive gear? If so, what other 5th gear ratios will work on this tranny?...
Tag#: 1352-156
Reverse:3.76
1st: 4.03
2nd: 2.37
3rd: 1.49
4th: 1.00
5th: 0.76

Bryan

big gear head

Yes, you can change 5th gear. I've done it several times. I've even added 5th gear to some T4 transmissions, including the one that is in my S10 truck right now.

Atilla the Fun

That's not a very good version to start with. In fact, the 4.03:1 first makes it the weakest version. Plus the rpm drops on each upshift are huge. It probably came with a 3.08:1 axle. The best move would be to switch to this: 2.95/1.94/1.34/1.00/0.63 with a 4.10:1 axle.

totalrod2

Thanks guys. My rear is an 8" w/ 3.00 gears (yep, Ford). I'm putting a 4.3 V6 and T5 in my '61 Comet. Needless to say I haven't made too many friends amongst the Ford crowd (I don't imagine I'll make too many here either). I won't be beating the **** out of this car, so hopefully the tranny will be alright. Right now I'm changing the stock tailshaft to an S10 to move the shifter forward, so I figured while I'm in there, if it's not TOO big of a job, maybe changing the od gear with something a little steeper like 0.63. But anything is an improvement over the 2-speed automatic that's in the car right now.
Bryan

Atilla the Fun

Sounds like a great swap! The T5 you have was used behind the 2.8L V6 and the 2.5L 4-cyl, so if you got it with it's original bellhousing on it, that bell sure won't just bolt up to your 4.3 block. Also, the input shaft is all wrong. The 4.3 has Nothing in common with the 2.8, and the 4.3 uses all the same stuff as the SBC V8, so my suggesting the 305's T5 turns out to be even more appropriate. a 4.3 should be able to pull a 3.00 times 0.63 gear, but you'd have to downshift for every little hill or gust of wind. I drive an '06 4.3 every day, and 1600 rpm at 65 mph is not good. My previous 4.3s were much happier running 2000 rpm at 65 mph, and geared for 1800 didn't help anything. Even running 2000, you can still expect over 28 mpg, based on my experiences. So shoot for that. You didn't specify your rear tire size, so I can't do the math.

totalrod2

My tires are 14" (25" tall). Now I'm not so sure this transmission is all original. I was going by the tag number and sticker (both read 1352-156), but after removing the tailshaft housing, I see it has the WC oiling funnel.

I'm putting the Camaro tail housing and shifter back on so I can check the ratios. I got the bellhousing that came with transmission and it has the V8 bolt pattern! I guess nothing's straightforward when you're dealing with used parts that are over 20 years old.
Bryan

totalrod2

Okay, I guess the tag numbers are correct. And the input shaft is 14-spline. The tranny will work on my 4.3 with either an Astro clutch disc or the smaller (9 1/4") clutch disc. Maybe it's not the ideal gearset, but I don't have the extra $$ right now to change the rearend too (and the 3.00 rear would be waaay to slow with the 2.95 first gear). Here's the bellhousing I grabbed (it was sitting next to the transmission).

casting # GM 6263756 (for 1973-up trucks with 12" clutch). The story I was told from the guy I bought it from is that he had a V6 in his camaro and wanted more power. So he put a 350 in it (and WC T5). He already sold the V6 and this was the T5 that was behind it. In retrospect, there's so many other variables I didn't even think to ask about. I'm just hoping this transmission isn't trashed.
Bryan

Atilla the Fun

Now you need to make sure the length of the input shaft is compatible with the depth of that bellhousing.

big gear head

My brother did the same thing that you are doing. He used a S10 2.8 T5 and a full size truck bellhousing with a 4.3 in an S10. The input shaft and bearing retainer were too long and had to be cut off. He also used the Astro clutch disc.

totalrod2

Should be easy enough to figure, but do you know how much needed to be removed?
Bryan

big gear head

It's been many years ago. I think he did this in the early '90s so I don't remember exactly how much had to be removed. Seems like it was around 1/4 or 3/8 inch.

rybread11

When I first decided to put a 350 in my 83 camaro, it had the 2.8 with the t-5. To make the switch work with my existing trans, I ran the same setup your running. The bell housing you have is good, as it will hold an 11 inch flywheel and clutch. At that time, the only way I could get the v6 trany to work on a 350 (or 90* v6), was with the Astro 11 inch clutch. That is the only clutch/pressure plate/throw out bearing, that were the proper thickness' and had 14 splines. The camaro bellhousings for the smallblocks will only fit a 10.4 inch clutch/flywheel and there wasn't a 10.4 inch clutch with 14 splines (v8 t5s have 26). Recently I saw a listing in Jegs for a 10.4 14 spline, aftermarket clutch, but I'm not positive, so If you want to use a 10.4 inch clutch you may be able to get one from them. The bell housing I used was a truck one like yours, probubly exactly the same. I did not have to do anything to the input shaft, it was exactly the correct length, so you may be ok there. I ran that setup for a while, but later switched to a v8 t5 and bell housing and switched to a hydrollic clutch linkage. For some reason I kept having adjustment issues with the mechanical clutch linkage and z bar I had. I never figured out why, but just ended up switching it anyway so... I think I had bad geometry for some reason, but I'm guessing the setup should work well for you. Also, make sure the flywheel you use is the right size for your clutch. 11" wheels will usually have holes for 11 and 10.4, just so you don't end up with a 10.4 inch flywheel and 11 inch clutch. Sometimes by mistake Ive heard guys call both the 10.4 ad 11" clutch both 11 inch's so watch for that.

big gear head

I think the input shaft for the S10 2.8 transmission and the Camaro 2.8 transmission are different. The S10 input shaft and bearing retainer will be too long.

rybread11

I was thinking his trans was from a camaro and he was switching the tailshaft to an s10 tailshaft, but now I and went back and read the thread and I guess no one said if it was a s10 or camaro trans, unless they never ran this trans behind the 4 banger in the early camaro's, but judging from the fact that he said he is "changing to a s10 tailshaft to move the shifter forward" I'm thinking its a camaro trans, but now I'm not positive.

If it is a s10 trans, and the input shaft is longer like you say, then the bellhousing may be to shallow/input shaft long.

big gear head

Yea, I was assuming that it was an S10 transmission because of the 4.03 first gear.

Rangersltw

Instead of starting a new thread I'll ask my question here. I have 4.10 gears in my 4th gen and I love them. I wanted to replace 5th gear with maybe .63 or .59 Where can I find gears for these trannys? I dont want a full rebuild from someone like G-Force.

big gear head

If you can find an old transmission with the gears that you want, you can swap them out in your transmission. You can get them new from someone like Rockland Standard Gear. I can't remember if 5th gear is different in the WC and NWC transmissions. They both use the brass blocker ring for 5th gear.

Rangersltw

So will a 5th gear from any T5 WC work? Like it doesnt matter which vehicle it came from?

big gear head

I don't think it matters. I have a box full of T5 parts from S trucks, Mustangs and other cars, and when I need a gear I just go to the box and get one. I measure and count to be sure that it's going to work. The main difference between T5 transmissions is the length of the input and main shaft, bolt pattern and shifter locaiton. Most of the internal parts are the same, except for the difference between WC and NWC.

Rangersltw

I sent Rockland an email asking if they sell gears individually. Do you know what the common ratios that are close to .60 ?

Edit: I think I have .73 right now and i used a gear calculator to see how much a gear around .60 would change things. I was very pleased with what I saw. I am planning on a few road trips this summer and want to get some good mpg without replacing the rear gears.

Second Edit: I had so much trouble trying to get info about the T5 and help until I found this site.

mooch1

hi, i am having a similar issue , maybe you guys can help me...i am in the process of switching from a 700r4 to a T5 in my 85 camaro,,,my engine is a 350 from a 78 chevy ....the issue i am having is that after installing my flywheel and clutch disc (10.4) and pressure plate,,,then align it all up with the tool...i install my bellhousing (lakewood #15020) ...then i raise the T5 (26 splines from 87 iroc)...it will go in pretty easy through the throw out bearing etc...but it will not go in flush againt the bellhousing..it's sticking out away from the bellhousing about 1/4'...i just read here that the input shaft was too long and that someone here cut it off a little...can this be my issue?..anyone out there with my similar setup ever heard or done this?....thankyou.