Rezi1987TA

Hey everyone.

Today I got a w58 trans from a Mk3 Supra. I'm going to put it behind my 305 TPI. I wonder if anyone here has done this swap (or r154 swap) and what are the things to keep in mind. Does anyone sell adapters or do I have to do all of it on my own?

Reason for the swap:
1) T5-s are junk
2) I got the perfect condition w58 + bellhousing + new friction disk + Pressure plate (won't need it) + driveshaft + some other stuff for 150$!!! :-)))
3) I don't think I'll start this swap until spring but I'm going to put 2 small garret turbos that I have from my Nissan 300zx TT on either my 305 or MAYBE I'll get a 350 from a Caprice or Impala (LT1) that i found where I live.

Any input would be appreciated.

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

http://www.rodshop.com.au/trans_conv.../bh/bh-099.htm

Done in Australia all the time but don't expect a lot of support on here given price of bolt on US trans ( T56 ,etc )

http://www.rodshop.com.au/

I would check out the many Supra forums ;
plenty putting SBC into their cars which requires the same as what you are doing , only the other way around

Rezi1987TA

Thanks for the link. I'll look into it.
I was told by one of the best places here that they'd make a custom bellhousing from the two that I have (w58 and t5) for about 60$ :-))) I would leave my Pressure plate and use the friciton disc from Supra.
I don't know yet about the driveshaft. The part that goes into the transmission (sorry don't know the name for it in English) needs to be fitted on to my current driveshaft...and it will get harder if the length of my driveshaft will turn out to be insufficient.

Z28ricer

iTrader: (2)

Anyone thats going to try to make you a "custom" bellhousing for $60 is going to turn your parts into a $60 profit for them, and a big fat pile of scrap for you, shows how unintelligent people can be with going for the cheapest crap like a bug to a lightbulb.

Yes it can be done, the bellhousings are available, but doing it with a W58 is completely stupid and no stronger than a T5.

Get a R154 or an AR5 and then you'll be taking a step in the right direction.

Theres a reason why you got all that W58 crap for $150, its no better than the T5 you're trying to use it to upgrade.

Ozz1967

iTrader: (4)

You're either talking about the Torque arm that mounts from the transmission case to the diff or the yoke, that goes on the front of the drive shaft which goes into the transmission.

Homer23

What are the torque specs on that transmission?

Rezi1987TA

It's the YOKE thanks :-)))

400whp is very often seen on w58 (which is A LOT). Torque wise I'm not sure.....
Some say that they could handle 500whp...but I've never seen one and I'm not really believing them. Even if it would endure that kind of punishment the question is: for how long?
this one for example has a w58 as far as I know. And it's not exactly SLOW...

same car but older (slower) videos

but again...behind a V8 it might die earlier.

LilSki

iTrader: (1)

HP isn't what kills a trans. Torque is. A quick search shows 300ft/lb is what the W58 is rated for. I'm sure a healthy V8 will be pretty hard on it. A WCT5 is rated at 265ft/lb so not much of an upgrade if you ask me. I would sell the W58 and get a T56. a 94-97 T56 is rated to 450ft/lb and is pretty much a bolt in.

EDIT: Just read you initial post and you state maybe swapping an LT1. Well then it would be just plain stupid not to use a T56 as they are meant to be with each other. Also remember just because you can doesn't mean you should...

Rezi1987TA

I know.
And I'd love to have a t56...but unfortunately it's nearly impossible to get it here where I live...there's just 1 (That's right ONE!) 93+ z28 here and it has that tranny...that's it. Ordering from US would cost just about as much as getting a whole car
It's possible to get r154 transmission though that would almost bolt right up in place of w58. I'll get that if something goes wrong. That tranny is virtually indestructible...at least on street levels.
It's kinda interesting too to see what a w58 could handle. Anyways that's my only option unfortunately.

LilSki

iTrader: (1)

Did not see your location. I have a few friends from that neck of the woods. I understand a little better where you are coming from then.

Rezi1987TA

yeah...people don't really realize most of the time that the simple options and solutions that they have are not exactly in my reach.....
When I say that there's just one running 3rd Gen Trans Am (mine) on our streets they think I'm kidding or making things up :-))) I have to go through a lot to get even the simplest and tiniest of parts and there's noone that has ever repaired one :-)))

Z28ricer

iTrader: (2)

Im pretty sure theres enough different that you would have to change quite a few things to go to an R154 later.

Why not just do it right the first time ?

Homer23

Wow, that's a little tough. I guess that's like driving a Ferrari far from the city here in the states.

gunwelda_66

I'm just in the process of doing a swap right now & the gearbox stands up to between 650 & 700 hp. This brand new unit out of the box is 2000 cheaper than a Tremac.

cosmick

Most of the 'yota W58 transmissions are from non-Supras, and have different gearing. Supra versions are worth an extra $1000 easy. If you really did score the good one, sell it and get a used T56 from a '93-'97 Z28.
I just saw a thread on pirate4x4.com about mating a W58 to a GM 2.5L, maybe some help there.
T5s aren't that bad, they shift pretty sweetly even with the stock shifters, and they can hold more power than your LB9 can make.