I have an automatic 1989 RS with the 2.8, eventually I plan to swap it out for a rebuilt 3.4, but I want to manual swap it, but I also want something better than the og manual they came with, because I want to turbo the 3.4 following that thread on here for that, and I heard the stock manual can have a hard time keeping itself together with added power. I know where to get a 4spd Muncie, but after reading other threads I found it's not the greatest, and it doesn't mount right. I heard the t56 was a good one, but it don't mount right either. Is there something I could get that'd be a good upgrade from the og manual for a V6 or should I just roll with getting a stock tranny?

 

The T5 isn't as weak as people make it out to be, I know plenty of folks who run em behind built 350s and 383 without issue... usually the problem comes from trying to launch em hard with grippy tires. If you can launch hard enough to grenade a T5, you'll probably have to start looking into a beefier rear axle as well. For street driving, a T5 is good enough. Check out some Foxbody Mustang forums too, there's plenty of em running T5s in 400hp+ road race cars without issue (Foxbody T5s are internally the same, aside from the input shaft splines and gear ratios). The main weak points of the T5 are the case itself, and the front bearing carrier. You can get a beefier case aftermarket and just chuck your stock T5 internals into it. There's also the TKX option, but it ain't exactly cheap. For a turbo 3.4, as long as you aren't planning to use it as a drag car all the time, you

If you want to T56 swap, check out the 60degV6 forums, there's a few folks who put em behind 3500s and 3.4s. Hawk's also makes an adapter plate meant to let you run a T5 bellhousing/ thirdgen hydraulics with a T56, and while I haven't seen anyone go this route specifically, it seems like it should work with the right sized clutch (you'll need to find one with the T56 spline count, but the 2.8L diameter).

 

thank you, im pretty new to the third gens so i dont know as much as i'd like to yet. how dificult would it be to mount a t5 to the 3.4 with the car being a stock automatic? i have a friend who has a 92 IROC thats been rotting away since 02 with a blown motor and they sold the tranny, but it was a manual and still has the clutch stuff in it, they're fine with me taking stuff off of it. would i just be able to take everything from it, and put it in my 89? and if so, what would i need from it?

 

No worries, can't learn if you don't ask questions! A thirdgen T5 would mount to the 3.4 just the same as it would to the 2.8 or 3.1, they all use the 60degV6 (metric) bellhousing pattern. Everything should bolt up just fine, I'd reckon the hardest part would be cutting the hole for the clutch master cyl. Not 100% sure if thirdgen pedals have the same firewall support bracket that 4thgen (93-02) would have, but if so, that would make a good guide. There's a template you can get from Hawk's made by someone named Thirdgen Guy on Youtube, think he's around on this forum as well; it bolts to your lower steering column, and gives you a guide for locating the clutch cyl hole. Thirdgen Guy does some really amazing work with his Camaro.

You'll also need to trim the hole in the transmission tunnel so the shifter can poke through. Driveshafts between the T5 and 700R4 are identical, and 4thgen driveshafts will work as well. The trans crossmember mount between the T5/ 700R4 is also the same, as well as the torque arm. You won't need to change out any mounts or brackets to get it mounted. You'll want to grab the upper plate from his center console as well, assuming it'll fit into your '89 (not very familiar with Camaro interiors, but should be compatible).

Also, make sure you get the right T5 when you do go to swap it in. There's a bunch of different T5s, most of the ones near me are for Fords unfortunately. The bellhousings are removable on em, but at minimum, make sure you get one from an F-Body. A thirdgen V8 T5 should work, but you'd have to make sure you get the right clutch for it (V8 T5s use a 26 spline shaft, V6 uses a 14 spline). Early 4thgen T5s should work as well (from a 3.4 car; any V8 4thgen will use a T56. Not sure how compatible the 3.8 T5s are, but at minimum the bellhousing wouldn't work since the 3.8 is from a different family of V6). The 3.4 T5s use a different pattern for the bellhousing to transmission side, but the bellhousing to engine side is the same; lengths and driveshaft spline count are also the same between third and 4thgen.

As far as the clutch stuff, the clutch master and slave cyl from your buddy's IROC should work, but you'll need to get the 3.4 flywheel, and whatever clutch fits on the T5 you end up with (you can find the clutch disc diameters for your specific motor easily on RockAuto, then look around and find one in that diameter with the spline count of your T5). Your automatic starter motor should also work with the manual flywheel.

You can check out the stickied threads in the transmission swap board for more info on how to get the reverse lights and neutral safety switch wired, that'll be the same between V8 and V6 cars from what I've read.

Apologies for the long reply, wanted to include as much information as I could remember while I had it on the mind. Let me know if you need any clarification or additional info on anything, or if I left anything out

 

Thank you, this realy helps me out a lot 😁

 

I did the 3.4 swap back in 2014 and the t5 swap in 2015. The main issue ive had with the 3.4's T5 (that I pulled from a wrecked 95 firebird) is that it has one crucial part that you cant find. The little spring on the back of the clutch fork snapped, left me stranded. Long story short, we made a new spring piece, and kept the fork. Most recently, the slave cylinder in the transmission ate it, so I got the GM all in one kit that has both cylinders and the reservoir already assembled. Back on the road again.
The work for the swap isn't the worst, other than pulling all 3 million pounds of the 700r out of the way.
Also, the main thing you really really need, is a 60 degree motor's bellhousing and tail housing for a T5. Should be able to put whatever t5 you want between them.
The 3.4/T5 combo has been a blast to drive. It's not quick, but it'll spin em in 2nd if it's having a good day (car is getting old, even the motor is 30 years old now)
ESSENTIAL READING FROM AN OG
Dale's 3.4 swap tech artical
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/v6/3...ml#post2689811