I have an 1988 V6 Camaro with the world class 5 speed manual tranny, and lately I have noticed a strange noise while in 5th gear. As far as I can tell its doesn't sound like a grind, nor is it very loud. At first, I just thought that there was a little extra wind noise (on windy days) because that's kind of what it sounds like, but after awhile I realized that I heard the noise (while at lower rpms like 1500-2000, but barely can hear it at 2500rpm, even with the radio quiet) every time I was in 5th gear, windy day or not. It is not slipping in and out of 5th gear, nor is it hard to shift in and out of, so as far as I can tell, there is no loss of function, simply the noise with a faint burning smell (not in the vehicle, but after I get out). The tranny has roughly 210,000 miles on it, and I'm only aware of two clutches being replaced on it (the first in 1992 when my uncle owned it, and the second about 18 months ago that I did myself). Other than that I am not aware of any other services done to it in the last 28 years. So I know its got a lot of miles on it, and it doesn't owe me anything more, but I'm trying to delay replacement as long as possible until I'm prepared to switch to a 350 V8 and put a T56 behind it. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

Hmm well are you sure it's coming from the transmission? It could be based on speed (like a drivetrain/tire etc issue.)

I stated in another thread I'm not expert on the internals of a T5, so I can't be of that much assistance, but if it really is coming from the transmission while it's in gear my first guess would be some bearing. Maybe the input shaft bearing? However, you'd probably notice that sound in all gears.

I'd take a look at the fluid too and see if it looks off (too dark or metallic chips.) Being that it's an 88, I would think you'd have ATF fluid in there so it should be red in color.

 

This is the key part of your post .

Each and every car component has it's own distinct smell when it's burning . Clutches and brakes smell kinda similar , being made from similar materials , but a trained nose can tell the difference . Clutch slippage , in a small amount , most certainly could explain the smell and the noise .

 

I'm pretty sure it's not related to the speed. Normally when cruising at 50-55mph I would do so in 5th, but lately I have been staying in 4th at that speed, with no sound or smell... But I still have yet to get underneath and check the fluid. I'll start there.

 

Slippage would definitely make sense. My understanding of trannys I think is still fairly basic, so my question there is would it be possible for the slippage to occur only in fifth and not any other gear? I know what slippage feels like while driving plus it's totally obvious by looking at the tach. I went through all that before I replaced the clutch 18 months ago... If it is indeed slipping, I'm certain it's not doing so in the lower gears, cause I can't hear it, feel it, nor see it on the tach... And I can only hear it (not see it on the tach nor feel it) this time around. And what would cause the slipping? My clutch shouldn't have worn out already should it?

 

if you want to check for slipping, drop it in 5th gear at like 30mph and floor it. if the tach goes up theres your answer about slipping.

when my counter shaft bearing went, it made a"whirring" noise like you are describing, it was faint but i could hear it. in neutral, foot off clutch i could hear it, stepped on the clutch i heard it slowly go away back off the clutch it was there. i heard the noise in all gears.

when in neutral the input shaft is spinning as well as the counter shaft but not the output shaft. that was my problem, could be yours. i think a bearing is going bad somewhere in that trans. i dont think the smell it related to anything, just an odd coincidence.