how much can a t5 handle

[biohzrd]

i have aquired a t5 out of a 92 model hyw patrol camaro and was wondering what kind of hp and tq it could hold up to. would putting it in a z raise its dependability due to the fact of a 1000 lbs of less weight. i've heard mixed thoughts from friends and thought i'd run it buy you guys. i've always heard the less vehicle weight the less the stress on the drive train.

[DavyZ]

I think they are rated for about 300 lb/ft of torque if I remember correctly. Rick Marcus (Fast Frog) has used one on his supercharged V8Z without a problem, but he didn't make drag launches on sticky tires a habit either. I have one I bought for my V8 conversion and I'm sure it will live even with a few drag strip launches, so I'm not worried. They can be modified, but if you are ever going for some really big horsepower, I'd go with a different tranny. Just my $.02.

 

Davy

[v8zed]

Some are having o k luck with them . I put one in and it scattered second gear while testing driveline angles . I made no hard launches or speed shifts. I did however do some shifting at 6500 rpm Getting hard on the gas after the shift. This was a brand new T-5 for a Z-28 . Had never been installed in a car.

I do have 415 pound feet at 4800 and 360 HP at the rear wheels at 6000 rpm.

Good Luck,

Dennis

YMMV

[Guest Perry]

A friend and I put a very used non world class T5 in his camaro behind an engine patterned after a 375 horse magazine build. The car runs strong and has not damaged the trans yet with posi and regular skinny street tires. We abuse it pretty regularly. From what I hear if he put sticky tires on it and launched hard I would expect trouble.

I am installing a T5 in my Z, and I drive like I'm gonna give away the car tommorrow. It'll be interesting to see if it holds up.

[Guest greimann]

I have 50k miles on a wc T5 that I bought brand new over the GM parts counter. My produces about ~400 ft-lb and have about 20 drag strip runs on street radials and a one legger 3.7 rear gear. Otherwise I use the car for daily spirited daily driving. No problems what so ever with the trans.

 

One thing I highly recommend is that you step up to a better grade of oil. The T5's normally take Dextron III automatic trans fluid. You need to stay with that viscosity, but move up into something that has more EP additives. TCI makes a racing auto trans fluid that has molydisulfide in it to reduce friction. Jegs sells it under part # 890-950600 for $12.99 a gallon.

[biohzrd]

thanks for the help guys. i guess i'll go ahead and give it a try and if it blows put in the old 700r4. it'll probly be easier to set it up for the standard the 1st time and then go with the auto if needs be than visa-versa. thanks guys

[Guest Fast Frog]

DavyZ pretty well pegged it! The WCT-5 Camaro tranny will handle 400+ ftlbs of torq&hp if you're not brutal with your shifts and don't race a lot. 3rd gear is the "weak link" and under WOT it wants to start to slip out of gear. I've run 425hp+ but it's only been to the drags once(see Andy Bayley's 1/4 mile time website). 6 yrs and still running good. I see though that you're running-or going to run-a 406/450+hp sbc. If you're frequently going to race or "get on it" a lot, you might consider a T56 or something a little stronger than the T-5.

 

Rick