T5 for T-50 Replacement - per popular request

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T5 for T-50 Replacement - per popular request

Postby OldsStarfire » Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:02 pm

This past spring I did the T5 for T-50 swap in my 77 Starfire. I used a T5 out of an 86 Firebird V6 and had the rebuild shop change the gear ratios for me.

The T5 is roughly the same size as a T-50, but the shifter is a little further back - see image attached. The F car T5 is mounted at an angle so this complicates things somewhat.

I fabricated a torque arm mounting plate from heavy guage steel, and bolted it to the 3 holes in the T5 and the stock torque arm.

I cut the transmission mounting pad off of the tranny and instead bolt the tranny to the stock T-50 mount with a big U-bolt from a pickup truck rear spring kit. (Welding a new pad would be so much better)

I used a T5 Camaro Hurst shifter 391-5032, reversed the shift arm, then added a shortened 528-7236 chrome stick, and white 5 speed ball 163-0008. The T-50 shifter boot and trim ring fit fine.

I used the stock tranny cross member and mount, stock shifter boot and trim ring, an 86 Firebird clutch disc (actually used one from a Quad4 5 speed tranny - they are the same) and the T5 back up switch connector.

Only down side I have noticed so far is that you cannot downshift at high rpms as the synchros will not let you. Perhaps a world class T5 would be better, but then they have electric speedometer outputs.

Let me know if I missed anything.

Jeff
Last edited by OldsStarfire on Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby OldsStarfire » Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:05 pm

pictures
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Last edited by OldsStarfire on Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby bugdewde » Thu Sep 21, 2006 6:25 am

That's awesome info........... thanks so much. I'll print that off for keeping when I do my swap one day.

Post this in the transmission/driveline tech section so it can be referenced quickly. AWESOME!
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Postby OldsStarfire » Thu Sep 21, 2006 9:13 pm

How do I do that?
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Last edited by OldsStarfire on Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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T5 Shifting ---- Single vs Double Clutching

Postby pobrien327 » Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:28 am

You Wrote:
"Only down side I have noticed so far is that you cannot downshift at high rpms as the synchros will not let you. Perhaps a world class T5 would be better, but then they have electric speedometer outputs. "

To me it sounds like you are "single clutching" - which is very hard on syncros. The syncro has to make the gear speed up from say 2000 to 4500 in a matter of a second or less. That is why that whining sound is heard and then it drops in. (not good!)

Double clutching is the technique of pushing the clutch in, putting it in neutral and reving up the engine to the rpm needed, and pushing in the clutch a second time...THEN putting it into the lower gear. When you get good at it, it is FASTER and more reliable rather than waiting for the syncro to speed up the gear. You can double clutch into a gear at 5000rpm if you need to (though that is high!)

Practice it- it becomes second nature like other sifting....
Pat
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Postby 77 Spyder » Sun Feb 18, 2007 2:26 pm

Given the width of that top loading case, how well does it fit in the tunnel? seems like it would be pretty tight.
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Postby OldsStarfire » Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:43 pm

No - not tight at all actually. Tons of room!

Jeff
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Postby 77 Spyder » Mon Feb 19, 2007 11:13 pm

I was kicking that tranny idea around, But I fugured it would never fit.

Do you have more pictures?

One of my concerns was the strength of the trannys. Chevy would only mate the T5 with the 305 engines in the Camaro's,
But not with the 350's & those were only 225 hp in 1987

Carl
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Postby OldsStarfire » Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:36 pm

Yes - strength is an issue. If your running a strong V8 then you would be better off with another tranny IMO.

I have planty more pictures - just let me know what you would like to see. Send me your email address.

Jeff
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Postby Satinblack » Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:36 pm

very interesting. I just realized I have a t5 in my shed. Was for another project but............

So since I'm running the 4.3 v6 what all do i need to put this t5 in?

Can I use the stock saginaw belhousing and clutch assy and just bolt the trans into it?
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Postby OldsStarfire » Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:15 pm

Yes but some fabrication is needed for the torque arm and transmission mount etc as noted above. It is not a bolt in by any means.
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