Right now I have an extra NWC T5. I was wondering if there were any cheap upgrades for it if I rebuild it? I am getting new heads soon and I am hoping to have a trans that holds together.


I am going to have a 355 with
12-246-3 xtreem energy cam
RPM performer manifold vortec version
Patriot 185cc vortec heads 64cc
roller rockers
edelbrock 600cfm 1405 carb
headers
3 inch magnaflow pipe
MSD full ignition
All poly mounts
Frame supports UMI
Power Trax locking rear end with 3.73 gears
A few other things I cannot think of now

So I guess I want to know is

1. If I rebuild my extra NWC T5 is it worth it or put the money elsewhere?
2. If I don't drive like a jack *** will a NWC stay together. I am not gonna drag the car just some fun back and forth to work.
3. If I decided to gt another 5 speed what is the best T5 to grab?
4. Are aftermarket bell housings worth the money?

 

Anybody?

 

the t-5 nwc or wc are o.k. if driven gentley . if i were you i would strongley consider a t-56 . just my thoughts . good luck .

 

Yea I want a T56. I bought the car last year. I am doing heads and body work and frame supports this year then next year if funds are available I want to do a t56. But I am hoping if I don't abuse the car too much my 2 t5s will last thought a season or 2. I have been looking at making the T5 stronger but it looks like I could buy a t56 swap for the price of a stronger t5. Is that true?

Also does anybody have any clue how much power a factory replacement clutch can hold?

 

What kills the T-5, is shock loading. Speed-shifting, and big clutch dumps with sticky tires.

The case is the weak point. Unless you can figure out a way to do something about that, then there's not alot you can do to strengthen a T-5.

There's no significant difference in strength between the 1st design and 2nd design T-5. Same diameter shafts, same distance apart and therefore the same diameter gears, same weak case. The 2nd design is mostly a gas mileage improvement.

Drive like your grandma and it'll be fine.

Of course, that's easier for me to tell somebody else to do, than to do myself. I have a couple of whole shelves in my garage filled with tore-up ones of both designs.

 

Sounds like there is no point of buying a rebuilt or redone T5 for a grand or whatever the price is. I will not shock load it as much as I can then next year or so I will install a T56 trans.

 

i have a t-5 with bolt on's right now and i can tell its on her last note. im in the process of purchasing a t56 conversion for my car cause im already near 400ft lbs. i just wanna make sure it will hold. also throwing in a moser 12 bolt. 10 bolts dont like to hold up under alot of power either. good luck with build.

 

I ran 12.40s at 115 last weekend with my t-5. it all has to do with driving but i am sure mine is on it last leg. I am swapping in a Tko 600 as we speak built by liberty gears. good for a 1000 hp and tq.

 

I swapped to a T56 years ago. I was glad I did it because my driving skills are to rough for a T5, Bull in a China shop so to speak. I love my T56, especially the gas mileage. In fact, if you are still driving the car on a daily basis the difference in the overdrive is worth considering the swap. I recently had to replace my T56. I finally died. It had right at 200,000 miles on it. Unfortunately they seem to be getting more expensive now.

 

Looks like my choice is clear. Put the heads on and drive nicely. When my new but factory clutch starts to slip replace it. When my T5 blows swap in my extra T5 and hope before that goes I have enough for a T56 swap. Finally don't use slick.

 

I would make sure you're very gentle on the clutch and it might last as long as you need it to.

 

G-force makes a reinforced T5 case for WC transmissions.

 

Indeed they do...

But most people around here seem to decide on a T-56 when they see the price. By the time you spend on that case, plus whatever gears are already tore up in your T-5, plus a rebuild kit, plus plus plus plus .... you're already most of the way there anyway.

I'm guessing that it's pretty much exclusively aimed at people racing in classes that require the stock trans, and that sort of thing.

 

I was going to buy one just to see how it would hold up, but I've seen quite a few complaints from GF trannies with that case AND their gearset so I wasn't ready to dump the cash. Maybe when I'm done with the car for a little bit I will.

 

Bringing this back. I am still running the NWC t5. I have a line a full rebuilt WC t5 for not a lot of cash I have 215s in the back and locking rear. I do not plan on going to the track just street stuff.

Think it will last?

 

If you can get a WC t-5 for short change I would stick with it. With a lot of abuse I would say consider an upgrade but if not, then don't bother.

 

I think the clutch may be weaker than the transmission itself however, it's just not able to handle the torque. If you shift carefully and don't drive it that hard it's not that bad. I trouble with a stock clutch in my T5. I decided that a T56 was worth the trouble and so thats what I have been using for the last 6 years.