I've been looking all over but can't seem to find the information I'm looking for. I know that the t5 wasn't used behind a 350 because it wasn't rated for enough power handling capabilities, but I see people on here all the time with them. Will it actually handle a decent amount of power or are these rebuilt and bulletproofed units? Also I can't seem to find which ones were cable and which were hydraulic. I'm more a fan of cable so that's the one I would want. Am I just wasting my time trying to find a cheap swap and rebuilding the T5? Should I just save my money for a TKO500/600 or T56 swap instead? I'm also working on a very serious budget here.

 

I suggest that most who use the T-5 are running a stock OE unit. As for power, as has been often stated, abuse it and lose it, so if you plan to run it hard, I'd think after market (might save time and money). BTW, should you choose to go with a T-5, try to find an 88+ which would give you the so-called "world class" version.

Off topic. I'm hitting a car show in Atchison on Sat. If you're currently in country, come on over if you have nothing better to do.

JamesC

 

your running a 305 which they had an option for the t-5, the 350's did not because of the ratings for the trans.

 

i noticed that both of you that replied are running 350's and t5's. how are they holding up and what were they pulled from? worse comes to worse i'll toss in a t5 until i finish my 350 then i'll just sell the 305 and t5 as a package. i really don't like automatics lol.

 

Mine's doing fine (after several years), but I don't hotrod it. It was original to the car, a non-WC.

JamesC

 

I am running a WC-T5 out of an 89 behind my modified 350. It holds up well to my "spirited" driving, but I would not trust it to go all out and dog on it much. I have seen the insides of these transmissions, and they are pretty stout but are not bulletproof.

 

Sounds like a WC would do just fine for me then. Now to just start gathering the parts. I'll just worry about getting a stronger tranny after I get my better engine built, I really don't think my 305 is gonna break a WC T5 if it's holding up to a modified 350. I'm just ready to swap before my 700R4 finally goes boom. It's slipping already because the previous owner used to rev it up and pop it in gear.

 

Just make sure you inspect the trans 100% before you buy. Make sure you look for the key elements of the 26 spline input shaft, WC markings, and grab the input shaft to check for side to side and in and out free play ... if there is any find another unit, or rebuild it before you put it in.

 

Thanks guys for the comments on this swap. I am also doing a 700r to a t-5 swap, but my car has the 350tpi completly stock motor. I am changing my rear gears from the 2.77 to 3.45 with the swap....i agree if one of ya'll are using a t-5 with a mod 350 then my stock 350 tpi should be ok. I will talk to HAWKS when they do this swap to make sure they use a WC only. Thanks guys