I have a 1991 TA Procharged 305 TPI w/ T5.

I am being told that the T5 will explode by some list members and that it will be OK by other list members.

I trust everyones opinion, but everyone can't be right here.

The T5 is rated at 300 HP. I will be producing 400 HP. Don't know the torque, but it will be similar. I will be running Nitto 555R drag radials.

I am 36 yrs old and know how to drive a stick and drive correctly. But if you are pushing for speed and quick times, how gentle can you be?????

I am inclined to sell it while it is nice for $500 and put the $$$ towards the purchase of a TKO for $2160. But if the T5 will be OK, I would rather spend this $$$ on other things.

So what is the TRUTH???

 

The torque is what you need to pay attention to. The thing that will kill that tranny is a sudden use of alot of torque (Downshift or drop the hammer). The best OEM T5 you can get (Bord Warner World Class) is rated around 295 ft/lbs of torque. But that dosnt mean the tranny will automatically explode if you use it. It really depends on your driving style. If you know how to drive a T5 safely, then they can last a long time. If you push it hard ... you might want to watch out.

I thought about a T5 for a while too (90 RS with a planned L98 swap). The parts for the swap are relatively cheap. But I decided to spend the extra $$ on the T56 because of my driving and racing style. I'm sure the T5 would explode the first time out drifting ... I want something that can take the abuse.

 

it can live.. get rid of the factory torque arm it will increase case flex.

BUT,, now its got a Tremec
and for a lot less than 2100

 

I have a Spohn torque arm so I got that covered.

Any other experiences???? :lala: :lala: :lala:

 

well with the combo in my sig and only 1500 mile son the new engine i can already tell its on its way out and its got 87,000 on the trans. when i build the car i decided that iw as gonna drive it like the tranny was good cause i don;t see a point in having a fast car that u have to drive slow, so i do drop the clutch and drop it into lower gears and floor it quit often. they tranny really never gives me a problem if i get on it its only if i drop the clutch and do a burnout when i go to grab 2nd it won't go in. oh yea that and up around 5500 when i go to shift a gear real fast it will make a little grind as it goes into gear but with not hesitation, it just makes the noise. well good luck with yours and if i find a cheaper solution then 2000 bucks to drive a manul 3rd gen let me know or this cars getting ditched unfortunatly

 

forgot the sig

 

think about this:

they used this trans with 4 cylinders.................
that says alot right there

they are prone to case flexing since they are made of weak aluminum


also (compared to older, more durable manual trannies) the internals are considerably small

 

Mine has held up great so far. Beat on it and it will go, but so will a TKO or T56. Treat the tranny in a sane manner and it will last.

 

well, i'm not superstitious by any means, but i can only explain some T5's lasting through severe power by luck

I killed 2 T5 with just a 6 cylinder

......and yes i know how to drive stick

 

you can beat the ever loving sh*t out of a TKO and it wont break....as long as it was carefully broken in when it was new......being an idiot and missing a shift, or powershifting like a retard will break any tranny. pretty much the same goes for a t56 only slightly less tough than a TKO, as long as its an aftermarket one.

a TKO or t56 can take an insanely greater amount of punishment than a T5 ever could.....but no tranny is impervious to retards....so just make sure you beat it, not abuse it

 

Personally, I would sell it while it's good and put the money towards a T-56. It will cost ALLOT less than the TKO and should be more than all you need at this point, + money left over for other things...

Alex