As the subject says, Im going to do a auto -> T% swap over spring break and have a few questions. I read the technical article on this subject and was wondering how you knwo if your tranny uses gear oil or tranny fluid (dexron)?

Also, I was not able to get the bolts that connect the bellhousing to the engine(long story), I was wondering if I could use the bolts from the auto tranny. Are they the same?

One more, Im pretty sure my car only has two bolts holding the pedals on and the pedals I got from the boneyard ahve four. I dont think these are just bolts because they did not come loose when I took the pedals off the car at the junkyard. Does anyone know if these are studs or something and how to get two more in if I need them?


Any other advice anyone has to give on diong this swap would be greatly appreciated.


thanks

 

Bellhousing bolts should be the same

The three t5's I have dealt with say to use dexron 3.

 

Thanks dale,
I was just wondering this. The car I got the tranny from is definately older than mine. My car is an 87 and the car I got the tranny from was probably around 82-84 b/c it had the older style front bumper. Will this be a problem? Im not sure if the car was carburated or not.

And also, I was reading on the tranny board that non WC t5s are 'weak as hell'. Will this tranny be strong enough to handle my 3.4? Is my 700R4 actually stronger and more reliable? or does this really only apply to v8 cars. Oh, btw, the car I got the tranny from had 120k miles on the odometer. Is it even worth me putting this tranny in? Do you think its shot?

 

Since that transmission is from a pre-88 car, it is a non-World Class T5 (as you already know). The non-World Class (NWC) T5's used 80-90w gear oil as lubricant. The World Class (WC) T5's use Dexron II/III because of changes in the design (namely the addition of some needle bearings) that created a need for thinner fluid. Placing 80-90w in a WC T5 can wear out those needle bearings really fast from what I hear. So anyhow, I would use 80-90w in your transmission. Would using Dexron II/III hurt it? I don't know, although I doubt it...

The 700R4 is a stronger transmission, it can withstand the power output of a 350 more easily, that's why GM never used the T5 behind a 350, only the 305. In '83-'86, the most power GM was pushing through a NWC T5 in a ThirdGen was from the L69 305: 190hp, 240 ft/lbs. torque.
In '87, GM put the T5 behind the LB9 305 and ran 215hp and 295 ft/lbs. of torque through it, and from what I understand, that should have been a NWC T5 because as far as I know, GM switched to WC T5's in '88.

I think it would probably handle the 3.4L alright, unless you beat on it. With 120,000 on the transmission, a rebuild may be due soon, it seems like tranny rebuilds are common around 150,00 or sooner.

Should you put it in? Sorry, I can't help you there. Good luck.

 

The power numbers don't really count, either.. the V6 700R4 and T5 (wc and non/wc) are weaker than their V8 counterparts. A non-wc T5 is sitting behind my turbo 2.8, and is holding up decently for a basically shot T5 (houston, we need synchros), however I really don't trust it as far as I could throw it.. lack of traction on shifts I think is the only thing holding it together.

The bolts you refer to are actually part of the power brake booster.. booster->firewall->pedals->nuts ... yes, there are four. There is also a fifth bolt that you'll play hell getting to which, if you lay upside-down in your seat with your head resting against the brake pedal, should be directly above you. I hated that one...

I would honestly avoid that tranny and hunt for a WC-T5, and give it a rebuild, unless you're in dire need of a transmission. I got careless and mine's gotta come back out for alot of different reasons, but all are maintainence-based.

 

It depends on how much of the T5 is in the other car but I always suggest that you pay an extra $10 and have them cut the whole drivers side floor out. With the pedals and slave cylinder installed. Once nice big hunk to work with later and it give you a monster hole to get at the tranny from the top /side.

 

Well i got the tranny already. I guess I didnt make that too clear. It seems to shift really well and everything but from what everyone is saying Im not too sure how much further Im going to go with it.
I basically have everything to do the swap. I was under the impression that a T5 is stronger than a 700R4.

So whats the bottom line? Should I stop and hunt for a WC tranny?

 

Is there any way I can tell if the tranny is good or not? When I drain the fluid I know I have to look for metal peices and all but if there any other way without taking the whole tranny apart?

 

See siggy if your looking for a wc