A lot of talk has been made about the T5 case and it's weakness, which allows the main shaft and secondary shaft to push apart under high loads due to the angle cut gears. This also partially explains why the stronger, straight cut Astro or G-Force gears are said to allow for a higher torque capacity. Not only are the gears stronger, but the shallower angle allows for less gear separation due to case flex at any given torque value.

So, that's one solution. Gforce also has an upgraded case, which for the most part looks like a stock T5 case, but without the "spider web" configuration at the two ends. Instead, it's solid aluminum, giving the ends more strength. Has anybody attempted to strengthen a stock case by filling the voids of the "spider web" area with some sort of epoxy or other material?

I've got a T5 that's lived happily behind my 250RWHP 350 in my IROC for a number of years that's about to get put into my GTA with the same 350, but now upgraded and likely in the 280+ rwhp area. I hope to see 1/4 mile times drop from 13.6 to low 13s, perhaps high 12s, maybe with some drag radials. Rather than just swap in a T56, I want to see how long I can get the T5 to survive without putting any money into it. One thing that came to mind was this idea to strengthen the case by filling in the voids on the front & rear of the case with some sort of high strength epoxy. Has anybody attempted something this dumb yet?

 

No epoxy can help. If you want to try it, it's going to have to be proper welding.

 

And good luck trying to find someone willing to weld cast aluminum. After that, they'd need to figure out a way to make a jig that won't allow the case to distort during welding. I would just get the G-Force case. They're cheap enough th expirement with. I believe they are only around $350.

 

I never suggested that I was planning to weld the case. Before I **** $350 into a case, I'd just put it toward a t56. I'm talking about using a thick epoxy to strengthen the case.

 

Hey Jim. It's a good thought and surely it must help some? I've just got the G Force case and my man Rocky is building up a T5 based on it. Will let you know how it is when done if it helps?

 

At minimum get a new cluster support.

This is the cheapest I can find

http://www.allstategear.com/BORG%20W...RT%20PLATE.htm