91maroRS91

im buying a 350 tpi motor from hawks and i was woundering if my t5 would hold up to it and if they would bolt right up some one help me

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

The short answer is not no, but HELL NO.

The long answer is that it will for the most part if you drive the car sensibly and don't race it or do burnouts in it. Honestly where is the fun in that? The stock World Class T5 was only rated to handle 300ft/lbs. of torque. Even a stock L98 puts out 340lbs. of torque or so. The T5 just won't handle that for too long. At least not if you are actually enjoying the car. You have a few options here. You can either upgrade to G-Force internals or swap the transmission for a TKO or T56. Each swap has their own sets of challenges and extra parts that are needed to do the swap, but it can be done. If you intend on putting some real power to the ground you'll NEED to do something about the stock T5 trans. There is a reason why GM never paired the L98 and the T5 together as a factory option.

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

Which is why mine has lasted so long. But then I imagined that should it ever go south, I'd upgrade--after several years, however, no problems. Oh, and my T-5 mated to the 350/330 without issue.

JamesC

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

Yeah I know the T5 CAN last. There used to be a member here that had one behind a fairly heavily modded LT1 as I recall. That was back when I first joined. I don't know if that guy is even still around. I guess it would depend on your performance goals and how you drive the car. Personally I couldn't resist the occasional burn out and track use.

Vice04

Well, I would say you have two routes:

1. Save some money and then sell the T5 before you install the L98 motor and get a different transmission.

2. Install the L98 with your T5, baby it to no end while you save up the cash for stronger.

Either way I would highly recommend a stronger transmission. Selling the T5 will offset the cost a little bit but not a whole lot. Keeping the T5 and buying outright will give you a backup transmission in the off chance you have to rebuild the other one.

Out of the swap options, my personal taste it the T56 from the 94-97 Camaros/Firebirds they handle 450 tq and drive like a T5 with an extra OD gear (.5:1) Heavier, yes, pricey, kinda. My T56 and bell cost me $1400, while the rebuild on my T5 was $1000.

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

Personally I prefer the T56 used in the 2004-2006 GTOs. I prefer the gear ratios and they shift a lot smoother.

91interceptorZ

iTrader: (3)

for the amount of money for a t56, you can run a tko-500 or tko-600....WAY better gear ratios than a stock t56 and stronger (and you don't have to worry bout burning out the stock conical synchros). Richmond makes an aftermarket t56 that good as well. The tko has the best ratios in my opinion (the tko-600 with .82 od is my choice personally), but I wouldn't bother with a T5, you'll find a couple people that have run them without blowing up, but it's a ticking time bomb, and I don't know about you but I'm not that lucky.

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

My problem is that installation of both the TKO and the T56 seems like a huge pain in the ***.

Vice04

Yes and No. As long as you have all the parts, it's a matter of taking out and putting back in. About the worst part about it is correcting the shifter placement. If you want a REAL pain in the *** take one carb 80's Monte Carlo, drop in a fuel injection motor, then put a T-56 behind it. Now THAT sucks. Those never came as a manual, and have no return line for the fuel injection, and have a lot of fab work. After working on that and robbing what parts I need from my 92 RS I can see how easy a T56 swap is in a 3rd gen. (However, the RS is manual already)

Going from auto to T56 would be a little more difficult, mostly because of wiring some things up.

88gta3508

HELL yes.. I Have a WC T5 behind my HSR 350 no problems it's in the 500HP range
I see why drivers smoked there T5.. the main weak link is that bogus stock shifter
upgrade to the PRO 5.0 short shifter <> night & day difference... 2nd weak point is the 5th gear bearing retainer upgrade with the billet retainer

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

The World Class T5 will not hold up to anything but driving Ms. Daisy behind a performance engine. It is only rated to handle 300 foot pounds of torque and no more. This isn't conjecture, it is fact. Borg Warner and General Motors were keenly aware of this fact. The L98 and any real performance engine in these cars will exceed that amount of torque easily. A shifter can't change that. The casing is weak and so are the stock internals. A single billet retainer can't change that. If yours has held up then you've either gotten lucky, or you aren't "abusing" it. Or some might say, "using it." Its either that or you must have the Arnold Schwarzenegger of all T5's or something.

Vice04

Lmao, best laugh I had all day was that Arnold Schwarzenegger comment. GET TO DA CHOPPA!

88gta3508

well then I'm very lucky
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLJPXJPSlfw

have you shifted a T5... with a stock shifter <> even behind a stock motor!! it will not go in 3rd.. say good night to the trans.. that 5th gear factory retainer is tin and allows to much flex & play... that was my first concern with keeping the T5 behind this motor
I know i'm making.. alot more then 300 foot pounds <> explain that.. bring your car over and i'll put this T5 to use

LMAO the terminator is BACK ROFLMAO

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

Actually I haven't. I just got my T5 equipped car less than a week ago. Before that the only T5 cars I've seen were in junk yards. All my previous third generation cars had 700R4's in them. My T5 has a short throw shifter on it of some kind. Not sure which one. I haven't pulled the center console shifter plate to look at it yet. When the previous owner got it, the short throw shifter was already on it. He was fairly certain it was the SLP short throw shifter.

91interceptorZ

iTrader: (3)

yeah the T5 case flex is the cause.....I'm no experts, but remember something about the distance between the main bearings is really far, and even with upgraded shafts and gears, still flexes. Some people do get lucky and never have a problem, but I personaly have blown up a few behind 305's. It it worth doing a swap in the end, but does take a bit of time to complete the swap, and some small modification needed, but nothing too hard.

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

I'm looking at the TKO 600 myself. The T56 is nice but I don't want to cut my transmission tunnel to install it. Not because I think its hard, but because I don't want to hack up my car.

91interceptorZ

iTrader: (3)

the only problem with the tko's is you have to run an adapter plate, adapter pilot bearing, and different shifter....

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

I thought you could use the T5 shifter.

FYRCHKN

I've been running a WC T-5 behind my 355 for over a year with no issues and I have never been one to "baby" it. I've tried to grenade it a few times just so I'd have a reason to upgrade but the little T-5 keeps hanging in there strong.

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

Well mine needs rebuilding/replacement.

Blown84Bird

I have wc t5 And have blown up gears with a mild 350(400ft lbs ) now I'm putting 500+HP to the same t5 and If I "try " to put the beans to it. just misses gears (case flex )
I'm just waiting to split the case and shoot gears out should be spectacular!!

88gta3508

I would not highly recommend a WC T5...
but lets face it most of the people that state they exploded this trans on a stock 305/350
have to be Gorilla shifting or left the stock pathetic shifter on and missed 3rd
there are many people including myself in the 500HP / 400+ TFP
with no issues there are many stangs that get there T5 in the 10's

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

While you can probably get by with a WC T5, again I don't recommend it. While this isn't a T5, this is a great example of what CAN happen when your clutch/transmission fails.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJtJUVyEyYY

Figure out how much transmission you need and go a step beyond that.

88gta3508

I watched this Vid about 3 weeks ago.
very Upsetting!! after all the money and work.. and now they have to park the car till next time...

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

There is actually a second part to that. They welded up the cracked bolt holes on the block and drop it into a red 1998-2002 WS6 car. The black car is still in the video. It is shown in the garage but the video doesn't say anything about it. I'm not quite sure why they didn't weld up the holes in the floor, put a new dash in it and put her back together.

Saabster

iTrader: (2)

Woah! Where can I get a scattershield for a T-5?

Also, no offense to anyone, but what the hell does the shifter have to do with how much torque the trans is going to hold?

88gta3508

Sabb.. absolutely nothing..It's the fact that the stock shifter is so weak
and flexible that you can not shift into 3rd ( is the most problematic )
now if you are @ WOT 3rd wont go.. you force the shift what do you think would HAPPEN???? there are many people that have way beyond 300HP / 330FP
that use the T5 with no problems.. I don't promote the T5.. but it,s held up for me so far.. and others

PS I have smoked about six 700 DOG 4 the last one was built with every known part. manual VB & trans cooler
with my previous motor around 400HP it did not last 8,000 miles

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

That's odd given how strong the 700R4 can be made and how weak the casing on the T5 is known to be.

88gta3508

well.. if they are so weak... Why has mine not disintegrated

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

There is always an exception to the rule. You aren't going to be the only one either. I've heard of T5's handling a ton of power before you brought it up. All mass produced goods are subject to variances in tolerances. Again you must have got the Arnold of T5 transmissions. Still there is no denying what the T5 is rated to handle. If you are looking to make serious power then the T5 is probably not for you unless you are a gambling man.

Just keep in mind that video link I posted. When something like a transmission or clutch grenades on you the end result can be ugly and dangerous.

Saabster

iTrader: (2)

Oh, so the problem is people who have no idea how to drive a manual properly. Ok, then I won't need that. I didn't want a short shifter if I didn't need it. You think third is hard on a T-5, try ANY gear shift on a saab.

Statistics.

88gta3508

it's not that it's hard.. the stock shifter is so flimsy.. it will fight against 3rd when under pressure.. the short throw is just a preference... a strong shifter is REQUIRED

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

When you are making serious power a strong shifter is a necessity. Short throw shifters are just more pleasant to shift and you may or may not like that. Even so most people do and the stronger shifters are pretty much all going to be of the short throw variety. I can't stand the stock shifter. The thing is too long and sits way too high. Its goofy looking and uncomfortable. I've never messed with a stock T5 shifter beyond the context of a junk yard but I can't imagine that they shift well.

88gta3508

I agree with the Eiffel tower T5 shifter
I cut my Pro 5.0 3/4 more
it could be worse the ZF 6 speed is taller.. and you punch the radio.. on a light shift

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

That's why I have always hated the shifter location in the Mustangs. I'm like an 8th of an inch from putting my fist through the radio every time I go into 1st, 3rd or 5th.

Saabster

iTrader: (2)

The stock shift is rock solid compared to my saab. If you're fighting to engage a gear you're doing it wrong. It's taken years for me to learn this, but man handling the gearbox and forcing the issue is not the way to go. A light touch is required.

I love a solid shifter, but unless the throw is silly long, I'm not keen on short throws. I find they make the gears too close together from side to side so it becomes tricky to select the correct gear. Personal preference I guess, I've just never found the 6" throw that hard to deal with.

Anyway, back on topic a bit. What was that bit about the 5th gear retainer? How difficult is it to replace?

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

You've got to be the only person I've ever heard of who didn't like a short throw shifter. Now I don't like the shifters as short as some people where its barely a nub sticking up over the console. At some point you want more leverage than that. At least I do. Still I don't care for the long throws of the stock shifters.

Blown84Bird

I watched the video that was bad LOL then I watched a video of a neon doing a "burnout " with no smoke and suddenly the Hood jumps up a car is dead LOL it was funny

marc12321

thats a joke my freinds dad had a 355 with a stock t5. he beat the hell outa that car. the motor went before the trans(after 15 years of beatings)

88gta3508

I have not installed my billet retainer yet.. it looks pretty easy.. and highly recommended
and no I was shifting correct.. I'm telling you 3rd.. on a stock shifter.. under load
should not be just right, lighter, more firm, lil left ,lil right this is how the T5 gets smoked
my Pro 5.0 perfect every time in 3rd

Blown84Bird

Never had a problem hitting 3rd at wot now 5th was a different story had to get out of the gas and draw the pattern over then up lol

Saabster

iTrader: (2)

Why are you shifting under load?

And the billet retainer, is it a kit? Where could I procure one?

88gta3508

here is a link for the 5th counter gear retainer
http://www.5speeds.com/t5.htm
I found mine on ebay <> best deal offer .. for 15 bucks less

zachkuby87

i like my stock shifter over the short throw my buddy was tryin to convince me forever to put one it after a while i gave in after about two weeks it came back out and went on craigslist

88gta3508

I would have to say... you are the first.. and only person... that would want to do that
the stock shifter is clearly JUNK..there is rubber in the middle and flexes
and who wants the shifter that long.. it's not a TRUCK <<>>

Vice04

Since we are on the shifter subject of the T5, I thought I would entertain all of you with what I found in my 84 Monte when I bought it. Sorry if it's blurry, only have a camera phone






Now THAT's an ape hanger!

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

That pretty much sums up my thoughts on the subject.

88gta3508

now that is artistry>>> how can you complain with that one of a kind workmanship.. That is a great find. I guess you showed me... how much do you WANT for it I have to have it LOL

Vice04

Lol, the whole thing was exactly one half of a full assed job. That's what you see in the second picture, EVERYTHING MUST GO!

But, not wanting to give up as much of my Camaro I could, I robbed a lot of little things to make it feel more at home, seats, center console, etc. Here is what it's coming together looking like:

EFIhead

Has anyone put in the Hurst shifter for T-5s? Heres a summit link http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HUU-3915032/ I've driven a 4 speed with a hurst Shifter and it felt rock solid.