Hey guys i was planning on doing a t-56 swap in my 86 in about 2-3 years and drive my th700 mean while. But now it started slipping in 3rd and 4th, my friend is giving me a good deal on a t-5 swap kit. So i was thinking on putting that to retard the t-56 swap because i wont have the budget for it now. Here the problem though i have a carbed 350 with ported vortec heads and extreme energy 274 cam. I estemate its pushing around 335-350 hp. If im "not to hard" on it(like dont power shift like there no tomorow and side step the clutch) would it last 2 summers with some 1/4 passes? his is not a wc but would a wc help ?

Edit: Dont know if this matters but i have 3.42 gears

Thanks!

 

I personally wouldn't risk it with spirited driving. The World-Class T5's were only rated to handle up to 300 ft/lbs tq, and the non WC versions even less. However, there are ways to beef up to T5 to handle more power, with the best way to do it probably just doing a rebuild of it, replacing the weaker parts with heavier duty ones. Other options include just waiting it out for the T-56, or going with a Tremec TKO T5, which tends to run more new than a used F-body T56.

I believe part of why 3rd gens were never offered w/a 350 and a 5 speed was due to the strength of the T5, but it could also have had something to do w/GM not wanting to risk hurting Corvette sales too. Probably wouldn't take too much to beef up the T5 enough for your setup though, since you're not running any 500+HP setups or anything like that.

My $0.02 I suppose. Good luck with this!

 

From what I've read the real problem is the case.

At any rate, hard driving will put the trans at risk.

JamesC

 

I've heard conflicting stories. Heard of people blowing them up behind a stock 305. And other stories where they've lived for years behind a blown 355.

I think that as long as you're off the clutch pedal before you slam on the gas, it should live for a while.