T5 with an LT1 - Any Problems???

[SSuspect]

Hi all - I am finally jumping back into the Z game and getting the itch to do my LT1 swap. I am "planning" on doing a T56, but stumbled onto a great deal on a T5 today. I know that this is nto a "world class" transmission, but it is fresh and clean. I am just not sure if there would be issues running it with my LT1.

 

I have a "basically" stock 94 LT1 from his Corvette. 15k miles on it since a general rebuild. Mild Comp cam, beehives and 1.6's.

 

A local guy has a fairly fresh 1986 T5 complete with everything for $250.

 

Will this transmission work with my LT1? What would I need to change anything to mount it up (flywheel, etc...)?

 

Here is the text from the ad: "Borg Warner T-5 tranny. Came out of my 1986 Pontiac Transam GTA. I had the transmission rebuilt and put about 5500 miles on it before I decided to take the car apart and move all of the drive train components into a new project ( 1955 Chevy pickup) Unfortunatly the tranny will not work for me on this build so I am forced to sale it. I have a B&M ripper shifter on the tranny for shorter throws while shifting gears. I have the V8 bell housing, clutch, pressure plate and fly wheel to go with the sale of the transmission."

 

 

Any help would be appreciated!

 

Oh - This will be linked to a 3:90 limited slip rear in the Z.

 

Thanks in advance!

Tim

[GOTHALOSISM]

That will work fine for what you are using right now, and for the price it cant be beat.

[SSuspect]

That will work fine for what you are using right now, and for the price it cant be beat.

 

 

SWEET! Thanks for the info! That is what I was hoping to hear! I am getting similar feedback over on the ImpalaSS forum. I have a call into the seller right now. Hopefully, he still has the trans available. If so, I will order the JTR kit next week and get started! WooHoo!

 

Thanks again!

Tim

[SSuspect]

Decided to hold off and wait to find a decent deal on a T56. May as well "do it once and do it right...

[GOTHALOSISM]

Good luck, the best way is to find a wrecked Z28, Heck I have even seen Wrecked 98 Trans Ams / Camaros go for 2k on CL. Those can have the LS1!!!!

[Geking]

Decided to hold off and wait to find a decent deal on a T56. May as well "do it once and do it right...

 

Many people have said that the T5 is a better option than the t56. This is due to the fact that the t5 is much lighter than the t56, and that the extra gear just means more shifting. Also, I have heard that the extra gear does not give you anything more besides an extra shift, as with the gearing, weight of the car, and power of the motor, it does not matter as much.

 

Trust me, a nonWC t5 can more than hold a stock LT1. Expect to pay at least 4 times as much for the T56.

 

Edit, also in some S30s (esp the later ones) a t5 means that you do not have to cut off the trans mounting points or hammer out the tunnel.

Edited August 10, 2010 by Geking

[SSuspect]

Many people have said that the T5 is a better option than the t56. This is due to the fact that the t5 is much lighter than the t56, and that the extra gear just means more shifting. Also, I have heard that the extra gear does not give you anything more besides an extra shift, as with the gearing, weight of the car, and power of the motor, it does not matter as much.

 

Trust me, a nonWC t5 can more than hold a stock LT1. Expect to pay at least 4 times as much for the T56.

 

Edit, also in some S30s (esp the later ones) a t5 means that you do not have to cut off the trans mounting points or hammer out the tunnel.

 

 

Thanks for the information! I am getting mixed input from various locations. The guy that had this for sale on CL never got back to me. I will "ping" him again and get the scoop.

 

Thanks again!

Tim

[Dan Juday]

I'm not posting much these days but I'll throw in my $.02 because I've done two sbc swaps into S30's. One with a 305tpi/wcT5 and the other with a '95 LT1/T56. Both motors are mostly stock, bolt-ons only. Both cars are street driven, not drag raced.

 

My personal experiance is as Geking says. The T56 is considerably larger and heavier than the T5 requiring much more tunnel clearancing. Driving the two cars I can tell you that with the broad torque range of either motor combined with the light weight of the S30, that extra 6th gear is not needed. Depending on the rear gears you choose to go with using the six speed, you will either forgo first or sixth gear when actually driving the car. With the 3.7 rear in the motor lugged in 6th unless you were in the "arrest-me" band of the speedometer. The 3.9 made first gear so low it was worthless. On the other hand, even with a 3.36 rear on the T5, I still have more torque than the tires can use in first, and 80 mph is a comfortable cruse in fifth.

 

I'd recommend the T5 over the T56 to anyone doing this swap but it's your call. Just sharing my personal experiance.

Edited August 10, 2010 by Dan Juday

[kj280z]

I'm not posting much these days but I'll throw in my $.02 because I've done two sbc swaps into S30's. One with a 305tpi/wcT5 and the other with a '95 LT1/T56. Both motors are mostly stock, bolt-ons only. Both cars are street driven, not drag raced.

 

My personal experiance is as Geking says. The T56 is considerably larger and heavier than the T5 requiring much more tunnel clearancing. Driving the two cars I can tell you that with the broad torque range of either motor combined with the light weight of the S30, that extra 6th gear is not needed. Depending on the rear gears you choose to go with using the six speed, you will either forgo first or sixth gear when actually driving the car. With the 3.7 rear in the motor lugged in 6th unless you were in the "arrest-me" band of the speedometer. The 3.9 made first gear so low it was worthless. On the other hand, even with a 3.36 rear on the T5, I still have more torque than the tires can use in first, and 80 mph is a comfortable cruse in fifth.

 

I'd recommend the T5 over the T56 to anyone doing this swap but it's your call. Just sharing my personal experiance.

 

I would agree with Dan - after having gone through squeezing the T56 into my Z, a lighter and smaller tranny would have been much easier.

[SSuspect]

Wow! Great "first hand" input. Thanks guys!

 

I was planning on going with a 3.90 R200 setup. It sounds like the T5 opens up additional options and variables.

 

I have a message into another guy with a "world class" T5. If I do go this route, I will need to round up the correct Gm bell housing and peripheralsShould be pretty easy! I will keep watchinc CL and Ebay. Not in a huge hurry. This will be a "winter project" and I have time.

 

 

Thanks again for the info!

 

Tim

[GOTHALOSISM]

If the WC t-5 came off of a 305/327/350 then you wont need another bellhousing. Do you plan on keeping the AC/power steering?

[SSuspect]

If the WC t-5 came off of a 305/327/350 then you wont need another bellhousing. Do you plan on keeping the AC/power steering?

 

 

This one does not have a bell housing with it. It is just the tranny itself. Again, not in a big hurry and may just wait until the "right" deal comes along. I need to go back and lurk in the CamaroZ28 forum for a while too.

 

Not planning on keeping the power steering or AC, but may add the AC back in at a later date.

Edited August 10, 2010 by SSuspect

[wheelman]

This one does not have a bell housing with it. It is just the tranny itself. Again, not in a big hurry and may just wait until the "right" deal comes along. I need to go back and lurk in the CamaroZ28 forum for a while too.

 

Not planning on keeping the power steering or AC, but may add the AC back in at a later date.

 

Like Dan I haven't been posting here much lately but I've got first hand experience with the LT1/WC-T5 combination.

I've been running that setup in my Z for 5 years with no problems at all. The LT1 has an LT4 hot cam, high rev springs and a custom tune, put down 275 hp @ 5800 rpm and 307 fl/lbs @ 3800 rpm on a chassis dyno.

The car is pretty much dedicated to auto-x so isn't driven alot but when it's driven it's driven hard. I drop the clutch on launch and run Kumho 265/45-16 V710s (sticky race tires) so there isn't a lot of wheel spin before it hooks up and goes.

The rearend is a 3.54:1 clutch pack R200 and is a perfect match for the ratios in the transmisson, I redline (6000 rpm) at 63mph in 2nd gear and cruise at 70mph and 1700rpm in 5th.

 

I had to do a little clearancing to get mine in the tunnel but it was mostly to clear the clutch slave cylinder mount on the Camaro bellhousing I used. I had to cut the original Datsun crossmember mounting ears out of the tunnel.

 

If I had it to do over again I'd go the same route, the biggest problem I ran into was finding a GM WC-T5 in the first place. I searched for about 3 months before finally running across one on ebay. The guy didn't know what he had so I got it for $175.00 shipped to my house.

 

Edit: Forgot to include I used a flywheel from a late model 305 that is externally balanced like the LT1, 86 and later I believe. It's 16lbs, bolts right on and is balanced correctly for the LT1.

 

Wheelman

Edited August 11, 2010 by wheelman

[SSuspect]

More great "real" information! Thanks Wheelman!

 

I am not going to rush into this and will be watching the various forums. There are a few WC T5 setups advertised on the various GM forums. Most are ranging from $400-$700 for a complete setup. Definitely within the comfort zone.

 

I have a hunch that my post count on this forum is going to rise pretty quickly!

 

Thanks again!

Tim

[GOTHALOSISM]

I got mine on CL for $300 with the flywheel, clutch, starter, and slave cylinder (swapped that out with a 92 camaro one that is metal instead of the plastic one.)

[SSuspect]

I got mine on CL for $300 with the flywheel, clutch, starter, and slave cylinder (swapped that out with a 92 camaro one that is metal instead of the plastic one.)

 

 

Is this the same slave that is used on a T56? I picked up a metal one WITH the bleed valve from Autozone a while back. I also have the bigger clutch master cylinder ready to go, but not sure if it is needed for the T5.

 

Thanks!

Tim

[SSuspect]

Sorry guys - couple more questions... Thanks in advance!

 

I stumbled across a low mileage WC T5 from a 1996 V6 Camaro. Trans and bell housing for $200! I told him I would meet up with him on Monday and BUY IT on my way to the RUSH concert! He said he would hold it for me.

 

Are the V6 and V8 transmissions basically the same (strength wise)? (I assume that they are)

Are the bell housings different? (I assume that they are)

 

Here are the gear ratios for this trans. It looks like 1st gear substantially lower than the V8 WC T5's. 2nd is slightly lower and 3-5 are very similar.

1 - 3:75

2 - 2:19

3 - 1:41

4 - 1

5 - 0.72

REV - 3:53

 

 

Here is the list of all GM WC 5 speeds - The one in question is in BOLD font

TAG # VEHICLE APPLICATION CODE REV 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

1352-175 GM 1988 F Car 5.0L V WC U 2.76 2.95 1.94 1.34 1 0.73

1352-177 GM 1988 F Car LB8 2.8 V6 WC P 3.76 4.03 2.37 1.49 1 0.76

1352-176 GM 1988 F Car lO3 TBI 5.0L V8 WC U 2.76 2.95 1.94 1.34 1 0.63

1352-170 GM 1988 M-Van 2.5 L4 P 3.76 4.03 2.37 1.49 1 0.72

1352-197 GM 1989 F-Car LB8 2.8 V6 WC P 3.76 4.03 2.37 1.49 1 0.76

1352-196 GM 1989 F-Car LO3 TBI 5.0L V8 WC U 2.76 2.95 1.94 1.34 1 0.63

1352-195 GM 1989 F-Cars L89 5.0L V8 WC U 2.76 2.95 1.94 1.34 1 0.73

1352-212 GM 1992 1/2 MY-F Car WC U 2.76 2.95 1.94 1.34 1 0.73

1352-213 GM 1992 1/2 MY-F Car WC U 2.76 2.95 1.94 1.34 1 0.63

1352-214 GM 1992 1/2 MY-F Car WC P 3.76 4.03 2.37 1.49 1 0.76

1352-216 GM 1993 MY 2.2L S-Truck WC P 3.76 4.03 2.37 1.49 1 0.76

1352-232 GM 1993 MY S 2.8L WC R 3.7 3.97 2.34 1.48 1 0.72

1352-221 GM 1993 MY S-Truck 2.5L WC A 3.76 4 2.37 1.49 1 0.86

1352-222 GM 1993 MY S-Truck 2.8L WC R 3.7 3.97 2.34 1.48 1 0.72

1352-210 GM 1993 MY-F Car 3.4L V6 WC Z 3.53 3.75 2.19 1.41 1 0.72

1352-245 GM 1994 Camaro/Firebird V6 WC Z 3.53 3.75 2.19 1.41 1 0.72

1352-247 GM 1996 Camaro/Firebird V6 WCZ 3.53 3.75 2.19 1.41 1 0.72

1352-228 GM 2.8 V6 WC P 3.76 4.03 2.37 1.49 1 0.76

1352-158 GMC 1986 L4 F Cars 2.5 L4-L09 R 3.76 3.78 2.18 1.42 1 0.72

1352-156 GMC 1986 V6 F Cars 2.8 V6 LB8 P 3.76 4.03 2.37 1.49 1 0.76

1352-157 GMC 1986 V8 F Cars .9 V8 LG4-LG9 U 2.76 2.95 1.94 1.34 1 0.63

Edited August 11, 2010 by SSuspect

[Dan Juday]

 

Are the V6 and V8 transmissions basically the same (strength wise)?

 

 

They are NOT. Ratios, input shaft, torque ratings, all different. Don't buy a T5 for a V6.

 

The T5 is probably the most prolific tranny in history with versions that span cars, trucks, models and manufacturers. You want a T5 from a GM f-body V8.

[SSuspect]

They are NOT. Ratios, input shaft, torque ratings, all different. Don't buy a T5 for a V6.

 

The T5 is probably the most prolific tranny in history with versions that span cars, trucks, models and manufacturers. You want a T5 from a GM f-body V8.

 

 

Thank you! I was just down at the local transmission shop and talking to the owner. He pretty much said the same thing.

 

I'm gonna keep looking...

 

Thanks again!

Tim

[GOTHALOSISM]

Agreed look for a 88-92 camaro/firebird.

 

As far as the slave for the T56 I'm not sure I too got one from autozone but for a 92 T5. You will need the bigger master though