How to install a Camaro T-5

[oldblue1968chevy]

Well what can i get that will hold up to some power? What about f#rd mustang 5.0 5 spds? Wha'tre they

[Mister laugh]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

Well what can i get that will hold up to some power? What about f#rd mustang 5.0 5 spds? Wha'tre they

Most of them are t-5's aswell, they won't bolt up to your bell housing either.

[oldblue1968chevy]

Rats, lol my buddys parting out a stang 5.0

So if I had both sitting side by side same condition/price. Which would I be better off getting?doesnt the camaro have a 350?..why woulndnt it hold up? thanks!

[mongoose]

because camaros don't weight 5K + lbs nor tow/haul another 4K on top if it..

and mustang trans wont fit.. they have a longer input shaft.

[oldblue1968chevy]

So..what manual trans. would be best for me? (on floor)

[Mister laugh]

If you are pushing 300hp and want overdrive in a manual transmission for a truck you probably want an NV4500. Its definately a truck transmission though, and shifts as such.

[raycow]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

So..what manual trans. would be best for me? (on floor)

If you're going to thrash it, my vote would be for a Tremec TKO. It is strong, easy to shift, and offers a choice of shifter locations. Its only real downside is cost, because it is an aftermarket-only transmission. In other words, used ones don't come up for sale very often. It couldn't hurt to keep checking the ads though.

Ray

[oldblue1968chevy]

Yeah...$ is an object id just as soon hunt an ol 4spd for that, or maybe nv4500

[Old Bluey]

I'd go hybrid. NV4500 (if I'm not mistaken) will require more work to build a hydraulic clutch around it. The hybrid will give you the ease of install (bell housing & clutch linkage) and will give you good highway gears.

But that's also my plan for my winter project, so I'm a little jaded.

[splehigh]

Nice write up! How is the tranny holding up? Have you put many miles on it so far?

[oldblue1968chevy]

whats the nv4500 come in, doesnt it have grannty 1st? And wheres the shifter at with a bench seat 67-72?

[raycow]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

whats the nv4500 come in, doesnt it have grannty 1st? And wheres the shifter at with a bench seat 67-72?

Yes, granny 1st. This is a truck transmission and it shifts like one. Think of it as an SM465 + an overdrive 5th gear. It was standard in 3/4 ton and larger trucks starting in the early 90s and optional in 1/2 ton trucks.

The shifter is fine for bench seats, about in the same place as an SM465.

Ray

[Kas68c10]

Wow, excellent thread!! Wish it was around 10 years ago when I did mine! Exactly it, camaro trans, s-10 shaft, into a short bed, works great!

[5264chevytrucks]

Wow! There is so much good info in these post. I will be looking this up when I get back from Afghanistan to complete my project.

[oldblue1968chevy]

thank you for serving this country!!!!

Cant wait to see your install!!!!

[Sterlingdeville]

Greetings all. I enjoyed reading EVERY post and reply in this thread, but am still at a bit of a loss (probably based on my own inexperience), so please humor me with my question.

When I first got my 70 C10, I managed to get about 30 miles on it before shooting a rod through the block. Come to find out I was the 6th owner, and have spent lots of time undoing other people's shenannigans- including speaker wire from the starter to the igniton. I now have a 350 with a mild cam (+/- 300hp) and a 3 speed tranny w/ (what has been guestimated to be) a 4:11 rear end - (tranny and rear end were in the truck when I got it). I turn about 3500rpm @ 85mph (only when passing, of course..ahem).

What manual tranny can I stick under the truck, utilizing a mid-shift position (bench seat now), that will allow me to have good takeoff, haul reasonable stuff, and still have overdrive? Is it the T5, the Tremec TKO, or the NV4500 for the specs I listed? I read that a similar post was dissuaded from using the T5 with his 350. I like to zip down the highway, but the 70 is my daily so I need something reliable for LOTS of shifting. I'm not rich, but I am very good at finding things when I know what I am looking for. I'd prefer to stay under $1000 for the transmission.

Thanks in advance for your patience and advice!

[raycow]

Originally Posted by Sterlingdeville

What manual tranny can I stick under the truck, utilizing a mid-shift position (bench seat now), that will allow me to have good takeoff and still have overdrive? I read that a similar post was dissuaded from using the T5 with his 350.

This may call for a new thread, since we are getting rather far afield from the original topic. However, that would up to the mod.

First off, you CAN use a T5 behind a 350, but you would have to drive it like you own it. Don't even think about dumping the clutch if you have wide tires. If this isn't your driving style, look for something stronger.

If you have a 3 speed in there now, you could look for a 3 speed + overdrive. This was a factory option up till about 69. It is basically a bolt-in and you could even use your stock column linkage if you wanted to. Actually, the 3 speeds aren't really a whole lot stronger than the T5, so if you haven't blown up your 3 speed yet, maybe you could get away with a T5.

Next up the line in strength would be a NV3500 5 speed. These were factory installed starting in the late 80s and GM considered them strong enough for a 350. The main problem with this one is installation. You will need hydraulic clutch linkage and you will lose your stock bellhousing mounts, and all of them that I have seen had an electric speedo drive.

IMO, a better choice than the NV3500 would be an A833, or MY6 as GM called it. This is a variant of a Mopar 4 speed that gives you 3 speeds + an overdrive 4th, and it was used in mid 80s trucks. It is probably stronger than the NV3500 and definitely easier to install. Its only real downside is scarcity.

If you need something still stronger than these, your choices are the NV4500 and Tremec TKO 5 speeds and the T56 6 speed. The TKO is the easiest to install, but also the most expensive, because it is aftermarket only and was never used by an OEM. The T-56 came in 4th gen Camaros. It can be bolted to your stock bellhousing with an aftermarket adaptor plate and it needs an aftermarket shifter re-location kit to clear a bench seat.

The NV4500 is a heavy duty truck gearbox and it shifts like one. If you can find a Dodge version it will bolt to your stock bellhousing with an aftermarket adaptor plate. To use the GM version you will need hydraulic linkage or an aftermarket bellhousing.

There is one more possibility I have read about, but have no hands-on experience with. It is a Japanese AX-15 5 speed used in Jeeps and is similar to the Toyota Supra transmission. This one is at least as strong as the NV3500 and can be bolted to a Chevy bellhousing if you use an aftermarket adaptor plate.

Ray

[Sterlingdeville]

A thousand thanks, Ray, for your direct and full explanation. I have a floor shifter (a ridiculously tall floor shifter-"http://s54.photobucket.com/albums/g81/sterlingdeville/?action=view&current=shifter.jpg"), not the column shifter, but I think that I can use the info you provided me with to make an informed decision. Again, thanks a ton.

Rod

[Rustybaggs]

I really like this Idea. At first, I though it would be nice to have a modern drivetrain with an auto tranny out of a Later chevy truck. But now....I'm think'n 5 speed with a 6.0L vortec....oohh yea.

[Rustybaggs]

ooops,
I meant to say , I'm think'n t56 with a 6.0Lvortec. Or just the engine/tranny from a Gen IV or newer camaro/firebird/corvette. Since after reading this thread again, I've realized the T-5 tranny wouldn't hold up very well behind a 6.0Lvortec.

If someone has done this sort of engine/tranny swap with there truck, I'm all ears. Once I return from Iraq (in about two months) I will have a 67' stepside that's in need of some TLC.....and some kick--- goodies!

Thanks to All,
this thread has difinetley open my mind to other possibilities.

[N2TRUX]

This post is a FAQ topic located here- LINK

[Old School Kid]

O.K ... I've read this a few times and am trying to get my info straight...

I have a 68 with a 250 and 3.08 rearend.... I am wanting to put a t-5 behind the 250.. ( I have a lead a 96 t-5... )

My question is will the s-10 1996 t-5 work behind the inline 6 250? What things will I need to do.. look for ? need?

Thanks for all and any help?

[Mr79C10]

Originally Posted by Old School Kid

O.K ... I've read this a few times and am trying to get my info straight...

I have a 68 with a 250 and 3.08 rearend.... I am wanting to put a t-5 behind the 250.. ( I have a lead a 96 t-5... )

My question is will the s-10 1996 t-5 work behind the inline 6 250? What things will I need to do.. look for ? need?

Thanks for all and any help?

Me too, or maybe a automatic tranny behind my st8 6,

[Strider]

OLD SCHOOL KID,


O.K ... I've read this a few times and am trying to get my info straight...

I have a 68 with a 250 and 3.08 rearend.... I am wanting to put a t-5 behind the 250.. ( I have a lead a 96 t-5... )

My question is will the s-10 1996 t-5 work behind the inline 6 250? What things will I need to do.. look for ? need?

Thanks for all and any help?


YOu have a 3.08 rear end? Is it a factory rear? What trans do you have right now?

Putting a T5 in behind your 250 is easy. Just get a bellhousing and make sure your 1996 T5 has the chevy/muncie bolt pattern because it may not. Hamilton Intakes has info on its website regarding different T5 transmissions and you can check yours there.

[weekendracer728]

What do you use for a output yoke? A camero one or the old one on the four speed??