I just went through this whole T5 ordeal. The internet is hit and miss with a lot of inaccurate info out there. I have found a great supplier of professionally rebuilt T5s. He really knows his stuff.
Here is what I have found out.
1. The WC and NWC trannies are very similar in torque ratings, but not identical. As already stated, either will handle normal driving, but might not handle very high torque applications. All T5 trannys will have a 1352-XXX tag number. The cases will also have 1352-XXX castings on the tailshaft housing and the main case, however it will NOT be the same as what is on the metal tag.
2. Chevy started using the WC trannies in the 1988 Camaro and Firebirds (F body cars). There are V8 and V6 versions which have different gearing.
3. The Chevy S10 and GMC S15 5 speed trucks had a NWC T5 up to 1992. The 1993 S10 and GMC S15 MIGHT have a WC T5.
4. Early S10 and S15 T5s had a cable drive speedo gear in the tailshaft housing. These tailhousings can be interchanged with other T5 tailshaft housings to convert the tranny to cable speedo. Some adaptation is needed, but many folks have done it and it works great.
5. The V8 and V6 T5s with a 1 and 1/8" diameter and 26 spline input shaft do NOT need an adapter plate.
6. The S10 and S15 T5s have a 14 spline X 1 inch input shaft which is too long. The available machined adapter plate costs about $150 and fits between the tranny and the bell. Another option is to have a machinist cut the extra length off the S10 input shaft and lengthen the splines.
7. NWC replacement gears are not available UNLESS you buy gears that are parted out of another NWC T5. WC gears ARE available. Thus, the WC T5 has new gear parts available in case it needs a rebuild. The NWC uses brass synchros and the WC uses fiber synchros.
8. I think 1995 was the last year the T5 was made. They were bought out by Tremec.
9. There are videos available that teach how to rebuild the T5. After viewing one, I believe I can do it.
10. The T5 was frequently used in Chevy cars and trucks and Ford cars. IMPORTANT - After about 1993, Chevy versions used a T5 case with a FORD bolt pattern. Make sure you buy the Chevy transmission case (with the ears) with the same bolt pattern as on the factory bell. My friend just pulled 2 T5 trannys from post-93 GM F-body cars and they both had the FORD case.
11. The S10 and S15 T5s have a fairly low 1st gear. depending on the rear diff in your truck, it might not be very useful.
12. Many of the S10 and S15 truck T5s have a 0.86 or a 0.72 as the OD gear. Many folks don't find the 0.86 very useful.
13. The V8 and V6 Camaro and Firebird versions of the T5 have the shifter at the rear position on the tailshaft housing. If you use a bench seat in your truck, the shifter will end up UNDER your seat. You will need to swap the tailshaft housing with a S10 or S15 housing to move the shifter forward. Then it will come up through the floor in front of the bench seat. If you are gonna use bucket seats, this may not be an issue.
14. Many T5s have the electronic speedo drive in the tailshaft housing. I don't know of any way to modify it to make it work with a mechanical drive cable.
You can see some pictures of a 1989 NWC S15 T5 and a 1988 WC V8 Camaro T5 on my BLOG. Look for the T5 page at the top. I used the S15 tailshaft housing to move my shifter to the forward position.
I hope this helps. I am planning a very detailed photo journal of my T5 installation. Be patient please.
Last edited by Lugnutz; 04/08/2013 1:42 PM.
