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The problem is the bellhousing, the T5 one won't clear the LSx 168-tooth flywheel, you'd need a Sachs #1050 flywheel, the GM bells that will clear the flywheel won't work in this application, and the aftermarket steel bells that'll do both are around $ 500. The one Lakewood has been making for 20+ years should work, pn 15020, there's newer modular ones that cost even more, and there's another brand out there now.
You can use a 621 bellhousing. They go for around $250, its an old one from 60's big block chevys I think. But the T5 is mounted at an angle, so the shifter will be 18 degrees off so you will need to figure that out
okay I am ganna try the 621 bell housing I can find them on eBay for around 150 plus I found some local for 50. so then just ls flywheel and clutch with t5 throw out bearing?
You can use a 621 bellhousing. They go for around $250, its an old one from 60's big block chevys I think. But the T5 is mounted at an angle, so the shifter will be 18 degrees off so you will need to figure that out
NO, you can't use that, it can't accommodate our clutch release hydraulics. Plus the reproduction one isn't even the correct depth. Stop posting bad info.
NO, you can't use that, it can't accommodate our clutch release hydraulics. Plus the reproduction one isn't even the correct depth. Stop posting bad info.
So the 621 will not work? I've been searching and trying to find what will work.
Any updates on this? Ive got a buddy with a 4.8/t5 in a regal but he did the swap about 4 years ago and cant remember all the parts.
I just ordered an ls1 flywheel from rockauto (Brute 502711 for $63) and plan on mounting my t5 to my 5.3.
I also ordered an ls7 pilot bushing.
NO, you can't use that, it can't accommodate our clutch release hydraulics. Plus the reproduction one isn't even the correct depth. Stop posting bad info.
Im sure theres gotta be a way to fab something for the thirdgen hydraulics to work with the 621 bellhousing?
Hows progress with these projects ?
I'm currently doing this swap , 5.3 , 621 bell , T5 . it all bolts together nice , will be using a concentric slave cylinder for the clutch , got one sorted ( nothing to fab ) gearbox sits straight not on an angle but can't see any probe with that , just to make an angled adaptor for the mount .
Hows progress with these projects ?
I'm currently doing this swap , 5.3 , 621 bell , T5 . it all bolts together nice , will be using a concentric slave cylinder for the clutch , got one sorted ( nothing to fab ) gearbox sits straight not on an angle but can't see any probe with that , just to make an angled adaptor for the mount .
Still gathering parts for my 5.3 swap but all I need tranny wise is a clutch and the Howe hydraulic tob. Is there a difference between the ls1 clutch and a v8 t5 clutch?
Still gathering parts for my 5.3 swap but all I need tranny wise is a clutch and the Howe hydraulic tob. Is there a difference between the ls1 clutch and a v8 t5 clutch?
Very simple , all you need is a complete LS1 flywheel and clutch from what would have been used on a T56 , the 26spline on the clutch plate is same as T5 ,
You need to bolt up your flywheel and complete clutch then fit bell housing only so you can work out the distance from pressure plate fingers to rear of bell housing / front of gearbox . Some flywheel / clutch combinations are different so this distance will vary .
I'm not going with a Howe hydraulic throw out bearing as they are to long for my configuration , I have purchased a Speedway unit off Ebay , these are shorter .
I'm still quite a few weeks away from having this project up and running , can't wait though .
Have you made any progress on your installation? I curious what you did to solve the shifter issue.
Thanks
John
Hi John ... sorry progress has been slow , Ive been a bit tied up with work , Motor/gearbox is complete and will be dropped into the car hopefully next week , as for the shifter I don't see any issues ? but will have to heat and bend it a little as the gearbox now sits level
Hello all I am new to the forum and just purchased a 84 z28. Its an automatic with a 305. I am pulling the 305 and installing a 5.3 with cam and ported heads. I would like a manual trans. T56 is not in budget(1500-2500). I can get a world class t5 for a good price. I wont be drag racing, just a few burnouts and fun driving on the freeway and open country roads. Justba powerful cruiser for family fun. Will the WC t5 work. I was told it wont hold up, but im wondering if thats just for drag racing
Would appreciate an update when you complete the install. Biggest question I have is if bending the shift lever is enough to solve it. Any pics you could share would be great.
Not LS but...
I ran T5 behind my stock, then bolt on 350. It shifted great and held up for a couple of years. Then one day shifting into 3rd it broke the input shaft. Upon disassembly the input shaft was not factory, it had broke before in a past life.
I installed a TKO 600 which has held up through that 350 and now a 414 SBC which makes 400 WHP. It's good but not as smooth shifting as the T5. I spent about $3500 for the new trans.
If I were putting a stick behind a LS I would go T56. Its strong enough and factory so it fits with factory parts and shifts good. Either stick or auto I would expect to spend $3-4k. If it was mine I would probably go auto. Shifting is "fun" but auto is better in every other respect Every time I have gone the "economy" route I have ended up spending more in the end than just doing it right the first time. Lesson learned.
Last edited by antman89iroc; Dec 9, 2016 at 06:37 PM.
Just joined the forum to post in this thread. I'm building an '85 z28 for the 24 hours of Lemons series so it is a budget constrained build. The car came as a roller with a t5 and I picked up a complete 5.3 for cheap. Bought a Lakewood 15020 for the safety aspect since I'll be using a used ls1 clutch (budget again), a 4.8 truck flywheel and an ls7/ls2 pilot bearing.
When putting it all together we ended up having to grind down these four bolts to clear the housing and the bottom two bolts for the oil pan bolts will need to be drilled out.
We'll hopefully be dropping the whole setup in the car next week.
NO, you can't use that, it can't accommodate our clutch release hydraulics. Plus the reproduction one isn't even the correct depth. Stop posting bad info.
cosmick ole chap you need to get out and about a bit more .... you can buy everything for this set up and simply bolt together with NO modifications at all.
I bought a complete T5 set-up from a guy a couple years ago that converted his 92 Z28 L98 to an LS. He modified the original T5 bellhousing to bolt up the the motor. ( then pulled the T5 and converted to an automatic when the car was passed along to his wife. ) It's the only time I've ever seen someone customize the original T5 bellhousing to work on an LS engine. These are the only pics I could find at the moment,... I've still got the bell housing buried in the garage somewhere.
