T5 transmission vs T50?

[Asshat]

Trying to find a T5 trans for the 63... wondering if the T50 is a viable option.
Anyone have any insight?

Found this on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-5-speed-....m46890.l49292

[Palf70Step]

I have heard they, T50s, were not very good, ie strong. I know they came on the early 60ish style Olds 260 V8, which does not have much go power. I am not sure the output shaft is the same as moderen GM shaft (or supported anymore). I don't think it is considered a ver good option on a bigger heavy vehicle with modern V8 power.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

T5's are good for cruising, but are not known for strength.

I have blown up a few 2nd, and 3rd gears in those things.

So of your cruising it will be fine, but it doesn't like being shifted hard or worked.

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

T5's are good for cruising, but are not known for strength.

I have blown up a few 2nd, and 3rd gears in those things.

So of your cruising it will be fine, but it doesn't like being shifted hard or worked.

Are you referring to T5s? I thought that’s what everyone puts in these trucks.

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by Asshat

Are you referring to T5s? I thought that’s what everyone puts in these trucks.

Behind mostly stock small blocks and inline 6s, yes. LS swap or 300+ hp stuff, people use the beefier and more expensive manuals offered behind LS engines

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

T5's are good for cruising, but are not known for strength.

I have blown up a few 2nd, and 3rd gears in those things.

So of your cruising it will be fine, but it doesn't like being shifted hard or worked.

True. I put one in my 65 Mustang (Ford version, but I believe the internals are pretty much the same). My car has maybe 200-225 HP but I RAIL on it all the time. It's made it about 30-35K miles (I did a full rebuild myself, probably had 200K on it) and it's got the death whine. Whines in 1-3 and 5. 4th is 1:1 and for some reason they don't whine. I'm going to replace it this time with a new T5Z.

One of my friends is running a "never" V6 S10 version of the T5 (The NV3500 - one piece case) and his truck has at least 275-300 HP. He drives it pretty regulary and it's held up so far. I have one in storage I plan on putting in my 67 "someday".

[dh81k30]

Originally Posted by Asshat

Trying to find a T5 trans for the 63... wondering if the T50 is a viable option.
Anyone have any insight?

Found this on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-5-speed-....m46890.l49292

I found an article that stated the t50 was used in Vegas, Monzas (small, light cars), and S10s (granny gear 1st type ratio split). The author recommended a limit of 200hp/200ft.lb. for the t50. He also described the shift pattern being different than most peoples expectations.

R 2 4
|-|-|
1 3 5

Hope this helps,

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by Asshat

Are you referring to T5s? I thought that’s what everyone puts in these trucks.

Yes I am. They work fine if you cruise, but don't like hard shifts or being worked.

If I was doing a T5. I would use a V8 Camaro world class trans with a S10 shifter to move it in a better position for trucks. Then cruise around.

If you plan on hitting it on the 1-2 shift hard. Look for a T56. The lowiest T56 will do fine behind warmed up small blocks for a while.

I don't know you or how you drive, but you should consider that when making your decision.

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

Yes I am. They work fine if you cruise, but don't like hard shifts or being worked.

If I was doing a T5. I would use a V8 Camaro world class trans with a S10 shifter to move it in a better position for trucks. Then cruise around.

If you plan on hitting it on the 1-2 shift hard. Look for a T56. The lowiest T56 will do fine behind warmed up small blocks for a while.

I don't know you or how you drive, but you should consider that when making your decision.

Are there any other 5 speed overdrive options?

[Palf70Step]

NV3500 and NV4500, but they will require a hydraulic clutch setup. Either that or add something like a gear vedors over drive to what you currently have. They will take the power.

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

NV3500 and NV4500, but they will require a hydraulic clutch setup. Either that or add something like a gear vedors over drive to what you currently have. They will take the power.

Here are some options I am looking at:

1. Gear Vendors overdrive is costly - $3500.
2. NV4500 is too expensive, IMHO; do not want to deal with a hydraulic clutch cylinder.
3. The T50 could leave me on the side of the road.
4. The T5 may be a better option, just fnding one is not easy.
5. Three speed overdrive seems like too much work, special shifter.
6. 3:42 ring & Pinion - $275; if I do the work myself. (Will it be worth it? 500rpm)

Really trying to do this on a budget!

[3767]

A couple of questions that I haven’t seen yet is....what is rear gear now. Also, how much power roughly is motor making? If its at or below the 300 mark, then the t5 will b fine. U get n trouble when u start going beyond this 300 hp mark with them. But...if just for cursing and better fuel mileage, then it will b fine. That nv3500, like the t5 is compact and will install easy. But t5 is stronger. As u mentioned the t5 can b hard to come by. I would suggest u look at fb marketplace. It may yield better results. U didn’t mention a Muncie along with a gear change . I bring this up because it’s not gonna b cheap. It can take it but, it will require a rear gear change to see better fuel results and they are not cheap either. 1 problem is the longer this pandemic drags on, the harder it seems to find a good deal on things. 4 some I think they have sold all they have or are willing to part with.

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by 3767

A couple of questions that I haven’t seen yet is....what is rear gear now. Also, how much power roughly is motor making? If its at or below the 300 mark, then the t5 will b fine. U get n trouble when u start going beyond this 300 hp mark with them. But...if just for cursing and better fuel mileage, then it will b fine. That nv3500, like the t5 is compact and will install easy. But t5 is stronger. As u mentioned the t5 can b hard to come by. I would suggest u look at fb marketplace. It may yield better results. U didn’t mention a Muncie along with a gear change . I bring this up because it’s not gonna b cheap. It can take it but, it will require a rear gear change to see better fuel results and they are not cheap either. 1 problem is the longer this pandemic drags on, the harder it seems to find a good deal on things. 4 some I think they have sold all they have or are willing to part with.

Currently at 4:10 with the 4 speed trans.
Motor is stock I6 292.
I did check FB marketplace, but no luck... unless it’s 500 miles away.

What did you mean by the Muncie and a gear change?

[3767]

The way it is now, the t5 would b a good fit. U would keep that bottom end and cruise with better fuel mileage. These are good trannys. They can take some abuse but like anything else, if u beat on it long and hard enough, it’s gonna break.
Muncie.....they are strong enough so no worries about tearing 1 up quick. The rear change I was getting at was to help offset the final rpm. U mentioned a rear gear change in an earlier post. U would have to go 3:23 to even start to see an benefit from this swap.
Budget....this kinda kills the Muncie idea. They are not cheap. Plus..the rear gear change to help final cruise rpm only adds to the cost as well as losing the bottom end u enjoy now. I would tell u to get a tko. More money but they can take a beating and with this tranny, u have room to grow.
T5z...Jess mentioned it. If u find 1 of these, they are stronger than a basic t5. But..they aren’t as plentiful n the market. They came about as the hp started to climb from the factory. The ones I’ve seen were behind cobra mustangs and the 500 hp rating killed them n racing applications. Wasn’t long before the T56 came out . With the t56 alot of the problems got fixed from this change.

[Asshat]

Is the T50 even worth considering? Would it even bolt up?

The highest I can go with my rear end is 3:42, is that worth it?

[Palf70Step]

I went fron a 3.73 in my 64 to a 3.08 rear gear. I still had 3 speed, but the gear change made it auch better cruiser. Youcouldgo with a car/Muncie speed, but unless you change rear gears ur cruising would be same with ur current 4 speed. I still had plenty if low end power for what I did with the 408 rear gears.

[3767]

I would scrap the t50 idea personally. They were not behind something heavy and had any real power. Plus I haven’t seen the rebuild parts out there like all the modern termecs have
Wouldn’t change that rear gear either. A lot of guys here would love 2 have those gears u have now.
What do u do with the truck most of the time now? 4 some it’s a daily driver while others it’s a weekend toy. Nothing wrong with either just helps to know what u use it 4. Also, how fast u need this tranny? Is it something u need fixed like yesterday or can u wait till the right tranny comes along to buy?

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by 3767

I would scrap the t50 idea personally. They were not behind something heavy and had any real power. Plus I haven’t seen the rebuild parts out there like all the modern termecs have
Wouldn’t change that rear gear either. A lot of guys here would love 2 have those gears u have now.
What do u do with the truck most of the time now? 4 some it’s a daily driver while others it’s a weekend toy. Nothing wrong with either just helps to know what u use it 4. Also, how fast u need this tranny? Is it something u need fixed like yesterday or can u wait till the right tranny comes along to buy?

I installed the GM 12-bolt rear and it was a very big improvement over the 4:56 Eaton. However, the truck is ot that easy to drive around town; even starting in 2nd gear, just doesn't get you going that fast, shifting to third is better. In 4th gear it seems to top-out around 45mph, maybe 2000-ish rpm, which sounds like it's really winding up the motor.

I do have time to look for a T5, not any particular hurry - I just get a little excited about the next phase of a project. The highest I can go is 3:42 with that rear end. I figure changing the rear end will cost around $800 if I have a shop do it. I would rather put that $800 towards a 5-speed now, then maybe do a rear-end gear change later.

The truck will just be a daily or occasional driver to work, which is only a two mile commute. Most of the time I will ride the motorcycle, if this covid thing ever goes away. I do want to be abe to use the truck to run errands and pick up motorcycles and parts, so it has to be freeway-capable. I think I will pass on the T50, don't really want to put money into a cheaper transmission.

[Asshat]

Maybe someone could help explain the difference between these two T5s?

One has the shifter forward, with a 10 spline input shaft, the other has the shifter towards the rear with a 27 spline shaft. I believe the 27 spline will not work with our trucks, correct?

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

The top one is a traditional truck style, and the bottom is typical car.

The shifter handle location difference is due to the seating styles or locations.

[LockDoc]

-
I installed an '89 S-10 5 speed in my '67 with a six cyl back in 2010. It works great! I purchased the spacer plate and used the '85 Astro van 11" clutch disk. All of the other clutch parts are stock. I didn't have to use the adapter ring in the bell housing locator hole, it was the right size for the S-10 front bearing retainer.

Here is where the '89 shifter is in relation to the bench seat. I bent the shift lever straight up from where the sharp bend was and it worked pretty good. It isn't as close to the dash as it looks. The shifter on it now is off of a full size pickup 5 speed and it is too big to screw on the shaft and too long. I just slid it down over the shift lever so I could test drive it.

The yellow circle shows where the original shifter hole was and the new hole is about 8-1/4" back.

Here is a thread with some S10 swap info:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=434512

Here is the thread where I installed an NV4500 5 speed overdrive transmission in my '72 dually. It is behind a 350 but I think everything would be the same for an I6.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=673588

LockDoc

[dh81k30]

Originally Posted by Asshat

Maybe someone could help explain the difference between these two T5s?

One has the shifter forward, with a 10 spline input shaft, the other has the shifter towards the rear with a 27 spline shaft. I believe the 27 spline will not work with our trucks, correct?

Top pic is probably '93 and earlier S10 - four cylinder or 60 degree V6.

Bottom pic is probably for a Mustang. It has the Ford bellhousing mounting pattern. It wont directly bolt to your bellhousing.

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

-
I installed an '89 S-10 5 speed in my '67 with a six cyl back in 2010. It works great! I purchased the spacer plate and used the '85 Astro van 11" clutch disk. All of the other clutch parts are stock. I didn't have to use the adapter ring in the bell housing locator hole, it was the right size for the S-10 front bearing retainer.

Here is a thread with some S10 swap info:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=434512

Here is the thread where I installed an NV4500 5 speed overdrive transmission in my '72 dually. It is behind a 350 but I think everything would be the same for an I6.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=673588

LockDoc

Is it necessary to use a spacer plate and 11” clutch?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Asshat

Is it necessary to use a spacer plate and 11” clutch?

I have heard of guys cutting off the end of the pilot shaft and grinding the splines back 3/8- 1/2 inch but I wasn't on a budget and didn't want to do that. I have also read a couple of posts where people used washers or spacers between the trans and bell housing to space the trans back but I would not recommend that at all.

That clutch disk is the correct diameter and has the correct spline count for the '89 S10 5 speed swap in the '67. I don't know what else you would use. That clutch disk works with the stock flywheel and pressure plate. I presume the '63 would be the same but I have never owned a '63.

LockDoc

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

I have heard of guys cutting off the end of the pilot shaft and grinding the splines back 3/8- 1/2 inch but I wasn't on a budget and didn't want to do that. I have also read a couple of posts where people used washers or spacers between the trans and bell housing to space the trans back but I would not recommend that at all.

That clutch disk is the correct diameter and has the correct spline count for the '89 S10 5 speed swap in the '67. I don't know what else you would use. That clutch disk works with the stock flywheel and pressure plate. I presume the '63 would be the same but I have never owned a '63.

LockDoc

I have a 12” clutch in mine, stock 292 with 4 speed. And, I think 10 spline on the input shaft.