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I just picked up a T5 this weekend. What I need to know from you guys that have made the switch is if you completely rebuilt your T5 before you installed it or did you just open it up and check for chipped gears and such. How far do I need to go with this thing? It's a 86 S-10 V6 tranny.

Also what kind of fluid do these things take?

Now I need to find a 55-59 rear to swap out my torque tube and get an adaptor plate (I have the old 216 bell housing) So I'm on my way to smooth highway crusin.

Thanks
George

Hey George -

Now you getting smart! You will love the T-5. I got mine on the road last weekend. It is absolutely the best thing I did to my truck and I know so because the truck has responded to the T-5 so well.

I had a transmission guy go through mine. It wasn't that expensive and now I've got peace of mind. I would recommend the same for you. I used Dextron III in mine, that is what is recommended by Chevrolet. There has been some discussion on that here, but bottom line - Chevrolet says Dextron III.

Your bell housing should be fine and with the adapter plate, you will have minimum altering to do to the T-5. I used a 55 Chevrolet car behind my T-5 because I converted the front backing plates and drums to 54 car.

If you need any other help or have any questions, drop me an e.mail.

Good luck!

Joe

fluid::
http://www.stovebolt.com/bboard/cgi-bin//ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=000953#000015

rebuilt it first....... @ least take a very good look see inside. BETTER yet have a tranny guy look see.
mine is a T5 hybrid ... camaro guyz in an S10 housing
different T5 applications have different gear ratios
astro van and S10-15 are notthe same as camaro gears

http://www.5speeds.com/t5/

http://www.inliners.org/Jack/t5_page.html

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/t5tranny.htm

What adapter plate are you guys talking about?

In pre 1947 trucks, the transmission mounting to the bellhousing is differnt than post 47 trucks. This simply means you have to have an adapter plate to go from the original bellhousing to the more modern t-5 transmission. From the advance design series and on, the transmission will practically bolt right up to the transmission. You have to hog out the holes in the t-5 a wee bit for the mounting bolts. You also may have to a little tinkering to get the clutch working properly. The input shaft of the t-5 is a little longer than the stock transmissions.

Hey George-Your're gonna like it after the switch. I got mine and didn't even open it up (just changed the fluid). The guy I got it from said it was good and I took his word for it. I figured that if it made some noise I'd get another one. There's plenty of them out there. My truck is waaaaay quieter, it's a real crusin' machine now.

Fortynine- The beauty of an adapter plate is that it spaces the transmission back so you don't have to cut the end of the pilot shaft off like others did. Plus the bolt pattern on a pre '47 doesn't match up (not even close), so the adapter plate takes care of that too.

Thanks everyone. I can't wait to scrape up the rest of the parts I'll need. From what everyone says this is the best upgrade you can do to these old beauties.

I'll probably pop the top off just to see what it looks like inside and then decide if I'll get it refurbished.

John I sent you a PM

Thanks again
George

I think that's a good idea with a used T-5. Pop the top and look at the syncros and fluid. If you got it used I'd say there are even odds that the previous owner of the tranny had it rebuilt at some point. If the syncros look good and there isn't any babbit in the bottom of the case, check the seals, flush the tranny and fill it.

The worst that could happen is that you'd have to rebuilt it when it breaks (or replace it with another used one).

PS- I got my used t-5 for $100. A rebuild kit for a t-5 runs around $125. The quotes I got to have a tranny shop rebuilt it were in the $600-$900 range.

NM51, I think you have the right idea. For that kind of money I'll check it out for major problems and put install it. If it has problems later then I'm only out some labor to pull it back out and rebuild it.

Thanks
George