WC T5 are stronger then a reg T5 but if you were hooking up solid, I am not sure if they are Buick proof.
A mildly built 5.0 will shread a T-5. Jerrico rebuilds the t-5 to a decent strength. Might want to check them out. Michael
Yea, I have hear it both way. Guy with mild power shredding them and guy with up to 400hp with no problems. But the big factor was traction. If you hook hard its gonna be toast. also the guy who were able to run a T5 with lots of power, changed the fluid at every oil change. T5 is a funny thing as the book and GM says use automatic ATF. But I was told to use straight 30w oil if I wanted it to last. Then some people still use 80/90 in them which by every account is to thick. Then some guys do a mix of 2 or all 3. The reason ATF was uses, was to get in the tight bearings. But I don't think it has much blunt force cushion. But I still use straight 30w oil in mine. Like the in between of ATF n 80/90
There is a company that will build them to hold over 600 horse. I can't remeber it right now, but It'll come to me. Do a search for it. In stock form, about 12.5 is there limit. In the 1/4. they are junk. If you want a quick daily driver to beat on, it'll be ok. Put some sticky tires and start clutch dumping it it'll be toast. If you drive it easy though, it should last a long time. Heres something to consider. GM used them in third gen F-bodys. GM never produced a third gen that was L98 powered and a 5 speed due to durability issues. The L98 was the TPI 350, the only 350 used in those years. A very clean, stock, well running L98 car would only turn a 14.5 pass. That should tell you something :Smarty:
You know that is a myth. I can try and dig it up but a guy had proof on why the 350 never got a stick in the 3rd gen. It was cause it could not pass the down shift emission specs for the EPA in CA. So they canned it. They guy was well connected and was a car collector who bought up the top models of each year. Though it is true that they may of had warranty issues if it did make production. when people who knew how to drive got behind the wheel and they started blowing trans. I knew several people with the new 80s mustangs with the T5 and they shredded them often. Mainly cause they hooked up so well.
I have a Mustang with a World Class T-5...I've gone through 2 transmissions in the past 12 years & 275,000 miles, mostly just daily driving, but used to street race a LOT in the past. Good traction will kill a T-5. If you can hook and have any kind of real power, it probably won't last too long. If you drive it sensibly & never powershift it, it may last you awhile. A better option it a Tremec transmission, such as the TKO or the 3550. The TKO can be had with up to 600 ft/lb rating out the box, more if modified. The 3550 is what Ford used for the '95 Cobra-R with a 351 windsor...it's not as strong as the TKO, but is a lot better than the T-5. I do remember seeing a place that sold TKO's setup for use in a '70 Chevelle. I'll try to find the place again.
i know this is an old thread but what was the verdict on this. will it bolt up to the buick bell housing. is there a special clutch we need to use or is just adapt the hydraulics from the f-body to the buick and use a normal clutch. i am collecting parts to go to stick. Thanks Jeramie
When I was bracket racing a 90 Mustang, which I had bought new, I went through 5 T-5s in the course of 3 years. My best times in my 'Stang were around 13.7. I sold the car before moving up to a world class, so I can't say how much stronger they are.
Mcloed makes a bellhousing that is modular and will allow you to use the T5 I think . There is another company that that advertises in National Dragster for a BOP type adapter for the T5 family.I will look for it and post it for you. I have a Nash 5 speed in my car and I cant break it. Personally I think the current richmonds (5 and 6 speeds) are a good choice and the bolt in like a muncie as far as shifter location and use standard mechanical clutch linkage and mounts. I converted an automatic car and all I really needed were the trans and a bellhousing and it was in the car. Just some food for thought. George
I found the name of the company. It is Weir Hot Rod Products. They are in American Canyon ,CA toll free 1800 633 9868 techline # is 707 647 0513 Their adapter is for the T 56 6 speed not the t5. I have not used thier product but it might be worth a try for the overdrive. www.weirhotrodproducts.com good luck with it George
yeah i think the mcleod setup will cost you well over $500, as quoted to me by summit. I found another bellhousing by speedwaymotors.com thats only $180 but says it works for all GM except T5! Ive been trying to figure out WHY, and do some other tanny swap research so help me out please. The GM tremec transmissions all have 4.850" bearing retainers (the part of the tranny that fits in the bellhousing). Ford T5's can be 4.850" or 4.910", I think. I think the GM T5s are probably different. However, it also seems that GM transmissions can also have a 4.680" retainer. I'm not sure what this dimension is on a stock buick bellhousing, but it seems mcleod offers "choke rings" to adapt if the hole is to big. but if the tranny is to big, I think there will have to be machine work involved to make it fit. I think its also safe to assume (at least acording to pictures i have seen) that the bolt patterns for the T-5s, tremecs, and whatever came stock on buick (muncie?) are all different and would require redrilling to adapt. flywheels are avialable from my local parts store, but im curious about pilot bearings. I have a 350 that originally had an automatic, will I be able to install a pilot bearing on this crank? also, the 5-speeds seem to have an input shaft length of 6.60" and diameter of .590". is this the same as the original transmissions, or will custom pilot bearing work be required? If anyone can fill in any of my blanks, I would greatly appreciate it. I think ive been thinking about the same kind of thing as Jeramie
hey! i got a few answers today. other than the incredibly expensive modular bellhousing, Mcleod has a bellhousing for BOPs for "GM manual transmissions". Since I could find no one from the supplier who knew, and no one from mcleod to answer my questions, I went ahead and laid down the $180 to find out just what this thing fits. I got it this week and borrowed a Ford T-5 housing from a friend to check fit. Well, although the mcleod bellhousing appears to be drilled for at least two bolt patterns, neither of them fit the T-5, I'm pretty sure one is for muncie. also the brg retainer is a bit too large to fit this bellhousing, but I think the GM t-5s have a smaller brg retainer (4.850" to the ford's 4.910"). but that's moot because I found that mcleod has adaptors to put gm or ford t-5s on this bellhousing (muncie pattern). these adaptors correct the brg retainer size, bolt pattern, and, ostensibly, the input shaft depth. I think (hope) someone else makes an adaptor for this, too. also, im looking for a hydraulic throwout brg for a T-5. best I've found so far is a Howe, but I heard there was a stock application? anyway I must avoid buying mcleod because they're ridiculously expensive. the only reason I got their bellhousing is because I found it at half of MSRP at speedwaymotors.com. any suggestions out there? I hope this helps somebody because it has been very difficult to get even this far. every time I try to call a manufacturor or supplier for information about doing a t-5 swap I get responses ranging from cluelessness to rude dissmissal. I havent been able to find good information about this anywhere.
HYDRAULIC FOR STOCK CLUTCHES t-5 also http://www.howeracing.com/DriveTrain/Index-Throw.htm Lots of info here. You know you are rad when you buy something just to see if it might fit. Good luck! -Andrew
