Hi everyone I have a auto tranny I'm my 86 Camaro I want to make it a stick with a t5. What's everything would I need to buy and where can I find it, also is there any suggestions on how I should go about this and is this a job I can do in my driveway? Is there a z-bar needed if I'm doing a hydrolic clutch? Would I need to balance my engine if I get a new flywheel? How would I install the pedal assembly? Thanks everyone

 

I am planning to do this on my 85 Iroc. I got most of my parts from Rockauto. I had read that the 4 gen Camaro hyd clutch setup was better that the 3 gen setup. You will not need a z bar with the hyd clutch. The pedal should just bolt right in after removing auto pedal. Now the part I do not know is how to wire the safety switch.

 

Ok thanks I'm planning on doing the swap in a couple of months or when my auto tranny goes, I'm trying to get all the parts now and all my research done so it's smooth job

 

Hey can you give me a list of all the parts you have got and are getting thanks

 

James if your engine is a 86 or what every year it is go to Rockauto.com and get the parts for your year engine. You need the flywheel, clutch, pressure plate. throw out bearing, the pilot bearing and then get the hyd set for a 1993 LT1 350 engine Camaro. And get the pedal assembly fro a 1985-1992 a 5 speed Camino. The throw bearing need to be for a 1985-1992 T5 V8 trans. And you need a V8 T5 trans with the bell housing. There a bracket on the bell housing for the slave cylinder you need.
Hope this helps you.

 

ok cool thanks, but I have some more questions, after I get the new flywheel will I have to rebalance my 305? should I change my motor mounts? will I need to get a new cross member for the tranny?

 

I think all Chevy SB or internal balance. Only the Chevy 400 SB was external balance. If you have a 700r4 trans now I think can reuse your cross member and drive shaft. You need a T5 mount and bolts for the flywheel and press,plate. You would only the replace your engine mounts if they or bad.

 

No need to balance the engine, it is internally balanced as ferret lady said.

Trans mount and crossmember are the same for autos and manuals, unless you have the POS doughnut mount, which you shouldn't if everything is original.

No need for new engine mounts, unless they are worn out.

Driveshaft is also the same.

You'll need a new top plate for the center console, commonly called the shifter plate.

If you can find a replacement clutch safety switch, or one comes with your pedals, you can wire your NSS into it.

It's very possible to do in the driveway, but I'll warn you, the T5 weighs about 75lbs or so empty. It's not easy to wrestle it in place from under the car while on your back, but I've done it twice in the last couple years and I'm certainly no body builder. Hardest part was getting the top bolt back in the torque arm bracket on the trans tailshaft.

 

Ok cool, how hard do you guys think a swap like this is? I'm 16 I know how to work with my hands and use tools but nothing major. Do you think this is something me and my dad can do in our garage? Or should I bring my car somewhere?

 

It is very doable, especially with a second set of hands as the transmission gets heavier the longer you are holding it up. Just make sure you get the car level and as high as you can so you can let the engine pivot down some to make things easier (mind the distributor!)

Your safety switch wiring may be present on your car. Mine was taped up under the dash and twisted around the wiring harness.

I found that using Allen head bolts and ball-type Allen drivers made the hard-to-reach bolts downright easy.

I've got a few pictures in an album on here. Feel free to browse if they may help you.

 

Yeah that would be great if you can send me the pics thanks

 

It's basically just an uninstall-reinstall type job. The only complicated part is cutting/drilling the needed holes in the trans tunnel and firewall.

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/g/album/3236127

 

Thanks how much do you think it will cost to rebuild a t5?

 

I don't know about rebuilding one. It cost me right at $1,000 to convert mine, but that was because my block (a '74) required using a different starter and larger flywheel than these cars ever came with, the bulk of the cost going to the $400 bell housing. Had my block been cooperative, it would've been much simpler. Also, I was mating a V6 tranny to a V8, which had its own complication. I only used new parts for the flywheel, clutch kit, master and slave as well.

Here is roughly what you will need:
Clutch / brake pedal assembly (may still have the switch on it)
Master cylinder, u-bolt and reservoir.
Slave cylinder
Hydraulic line
Correct bell housing and clutch fork
Transmission specifically for an F-body, of course
Flywheel
Clutch kit
Torque arm bracket (should come with trans, may have to swap the bushing)

You can modify the original console top, but it will be BRITTLE and may interfere with 1st and 3rd. Also take note of how your speedometer is operated as some used a cable while most were electronic. It is also preferable to find a T5 made for your engine, though not entirely necessary as the right clutch kit can make it work.

It may seem daunting, but it is easily the most rewarding modification I have done. It changed the entire attitude of the car.

 

I bought my rebuild kit for around $220 plus shipping. That was for a World Class T5, the regular T5 kits are a bit cheaper. It's not difficult to do, but you need a few special tools like a dial indicator and base, a pair of snap ring pliers, and a bearing separator. A shop press makes replacing the bearings on the main shaft easier, but I just used a BFH and a scrap wood block to remove them and put the new ones on. I got all the special tools from Harbor Freight for less than $50.

The rebuild manual can be downloaded for free from the internet from a few sites.