2 years after letting my 2nd 3rd gen go, a 92 camaro with a carbed 350 and a 700r4, I'm back in the market for one.

This time I'm looking for a trans am, and after driving a manual for the past 2+ years, I simply cannot go back to an automatic.

So my plan has been to find a manual trans am with a t5. I then plan to drive it as-is while I build up a 350 on the side over time. But having read many things about the t5, including the post that is stickied to the top of this forum, I hear that the t5 is not rated for high horsepower engines. I'm aiming for 350hp+ on my build, all dependent upon my budget, but that being said it looks like that little t5 will not hold up to that kind of power, especially with how I prefer to drive.

Is there a way to build up the t5 to handle it? Or will i NEED to find a t56, or some other transmission I've yet to hear about?


I'm no transmission guy at all, and I usually learn as I go. I just need to know if finding a t5 3rd gen will be worth it for me in the long run.



Thank you in advance!
-Don

 

Street tires, should hold up for a while...

Drag slicks... save for an upgrade...

Rafael

 

I put a built 350 into mine with the T5 and it seems to be doing just fine. I have over 5K on the engine and I'm shifting pretty hard. I've also been told that it won't handle it but seems to be doing just fine. If it does go I'll upgrade then but till then I'll drive it hard. So the question is it worth it? Absolutely if you like to drive a standard. Won't go any other way. Sure an auto may be faster but in my opinion not as fun!

 

You may want to check exactly what year, but the later years have the world class t5 which was stronger than the non world class t5.

 

I have an 87 but the tranny was replaced about 15 years ago so it could be a later model. How would I find that out?

 

Do a search, there may be a tag, a number on the case, or a difference in the case, I don't remember off hand.

I get better results by going to Google, typing in www.thirdgen.org and type in keywords, it will search the site, & I get better results than using the search here.

 

What exactly is the upgrade from the T5? I know the LS1s were mated to a T56, is that the next step up from the stock 5 speed tranny?

 

Yes, the T-56 is what you could call an upgrade from the T5. More specifically, it's the next generation manual trans that Borg-Warner made. But, to do a T56 swap, you need to buy many other items for it to work in these third gen cars. Since the T56 is usually $1000 itself, you need to have a plan to do it and probably need to want to keep it for a while after you do the swap.

Transmission shops or shops that prepare race cars should be able to disassemble and upgrade the T-5 to handle 400+ ft/lb of torque. You can also buy an aftermarket Richmond 5 or 6 speed manual trans or buy a road racers T5 that has already been upgraded.

 

And it's the t56 from 93 to 97 LT1's, not the later LSx engines...

 

Google "American Powertrain" and drool. I always do.

 

there are only two times an auto is better,
1.in a really fast drag car
2. traffic jam/rush hour traffic

 

I have to disagree with number 2.

I'm planning on swapping a t56 into my car since my new engine will most like destroy the t5 if I floor it. It's torque that kills transmissions, not horsepower.

 

It is traction and missing third that kills the T5.

 

I have a T5 in the Camaro (350-375hp) and it holds up fine. I also have a stock Ford T5 in my LX Mustang that makes 450hp. I have 4.10 gears and American Racer tires but use a stock replacement clutch and it has been going on 10 years with no troubles.

Like you said T5's work fine unless you have a real aggressive clutch or slicks. Oh and don't do any power shifting.