I am needing to find a t5 transmission for my 83 SC camaro, but I am unsure if it is a mech. clutch setup, or if it is hydrolic? The car is about 24 miles away from me at the moment, so I can't just go out and check it. I have been doing some searching and I found a few different threads concerning this, but I am still not clear which it is. I wanted to start calling the local salvage yards to see if they had a trans. for me, but won't I need to know what type of clutch setup mine has beforehand? Any and all information is GREATLY appreciated!
Thank you VERY MUCH in advance, this is the only thing holding up my project right now..

 

I found this on another site, is this accurate information?

"If you want to use a mechanical linkage, you can use that bellhousing (be sure to get the fork with it as it's g-body specific) or an 83 Camaro bellhousing. The 606 bellhousing was originally only used with a 4-speed, but it has the same bolt pattern as a T5 so it can be used.

With that bellhousing, you will have to follow the installation on this site:
http://www.garage-scene.com/t5-into-ag-body/
Note shifter and crossmember modifications due to the transmission no longer sitting canted towards the driver (about 17 degrees) as it was in an F-body.

If you use an 83 Camaro bellhousing, no shifter or mount pad modifications are required as the bellhousing bolt pattern is canted - which is how the T5 was installed originally in an F-body. 83 was the only year that the Camaro had a T5 with the mechanical linkage.

If you want to use a hydraulic clutch, you will want an 84-92 F-body bellhousing."

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The clutch setup doesn't matter in the slightest. All transmissions work exactly the same with all clutch actuator systems.

In my 83 (mech clutch) I swapped a hyd system in THE INSTANT I found one in a boneyard, must have been in about 86; out of a wrecked 84 I think it was. I COULD NOT WAIT to throw that Neanderthal crap the car came with in the trash. I went through so many T-5s over the years after that, I lost count at somewhere around a dozen. They were from all years from 84 up to 91, that I know of. All bolted in EXACTLY the same, and worked the same with the 84 clutch setup as the 83 trans had worked with the 84 clutch. So basically, all you need, is a T-5 from a Camaro or Firebird, with the same type engine as yours (6-cyl vs V8). Among the V8 ones there are some gearing differences but they'll all bolt right up.

I'd suggest finding a whole T-5 car fro, 84-92 and swapping the BH, clutch pedals, and hydraulics, while you're at it. No sense leaving that caveman stuff from the Stone Age in there if you can help it.

 

Thanks for the answer, helps clear up a LOT of questions I was having. Now I can make some calls tomorrow and hopefully continue with my project.. It can't seriously be this hard to find a used transmission this common.. can it?... Mine is a v6 by the way, which from what I read, should be extremely common..

 

Yeah the 6-cyl stuff is far more plentiful; people don't tear it up as much, and nobody wants it either, so you're in luck there.

 

One of the local yards near me (local meaning within 50 miles) had about 3 dozen thirdgens all lined up nice and pretty. Sure as sh|t, as soon as I start rebuilding mine, the guy crushes ALL of his camaro stuff.. Haven't been able to search our towns yards yet, or the next few towns over, but hopefully will be able to make some calls tomorrow and find one in good shape fairly reasonablly. The one I have now pops out of first gear, and grinds going into third and fourth, and sometimes second as well.