The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline T5

I am looking at a t5 transmission from a 92 s10. It will go into a 52 3100 with an LS engine if I decide to use it. The ? I have is what all should I get from the s10? Shilfter, linkage, maybe steering colum? I not sure if I will use it but it is local so I may get it in case I need it. Thanks.

Well, the first thing I'd want to know is which gear ratios did that particular T5 have and what rear end ratio are you going to use? Generally speaking the 4 cylinder S-10s used a first gear ratio of 4.03. Most of the trucks with a 6 cylinder had a first gear ratio of 3.75. Depending on what sort of rear end you get, your starting line ratio could be pretty good to disastrous. Example: if you get a rear end with a 2.73 ratio and a 4.03 first gear ratio, you'll have a starting line ratio of 11.09 and that's excellent. On the other hand if you get a rear end with a 3.90 ratio and the same transmission, your starting line ratio will be 15.7 and that will be really good if you want to pull trees out of the ground but not good for comfortable driving. You want your starting line ratio between about 10 and 12 for a pickup which is being used as a pickup.

The second thing I'd want to know is how you plan on safely steering and stopping a 1952 3100 with an LS engine in it? We've heard you say you want to be able to drive your truck at highway speeds. If that's your goal, and if you consider highway speeds as being 75 or possibly faster, nothing at all about the AD truck was designed for that. Not the suspension, not the steering and not the braking system.

Not trying to be a hard case, but the S10 (while never a great handling pickup) was at least designed to be able to drive at today's freeway speeds. Highway speed when the AD trucks were built was 50~55 mph and I've seen some AD trucks I would not drive at 50 unless somebody was chasing me with a gun. The last thing we want to see anyone do is create a dangerous situation for themselves and for other people sharing the road.

I don't think there's any external linkage on a T-5. Get everything you can, including the shift stick. There are ways to mix and match parts from various types of T-5 cases to get a better shifter position for a stovebolt truck. "Lugnutz" is the forum T-5 guru- - - -drop him a PM message and I'm sure he will be able to give you some helpful guidance.

Ditto to all the above comments by Jon- - - -there are enough rolling deathtrap stovebolts out there already, built by people who want to "go fast" without considering the stopping and steering part of the project!
Jerry

Go to the Tech Tips and look at the Transmission & Driveline section.

If you go with the S10, the first thing is to rebuild it and make adapters for it.
Then the downstream original drivetrain is usually removed to get rid of the torque tube and related parts.
You have to investigate and decide on what you want to replace it with. How good are you at fabrication?
If not so good, then I would look for a rod shop and pay them to do it for you.
If you end up with a 5 lug pattern rear axle then you have to deal with 6 lugs on the front axle or carry two spare tires.
If later you do an LS then the exhaust can interfere with the original steering box.
The steering box is usually replaced by something more modern.
While you are doing the steering box, people get rid of the straight axle for a MII suspension kit.
The kit requires someone with good welding experience.
The kit usually includes the 5 lug rotors.


If you really want to live on the "wild side" and save a wad of $$$, just install a 3.55 rear axle ring and pinion gears so you can at least get up to highway cruising speed.

An LS engine can be made to mate to a T5. I’m planning to do it, but life has gotten in the way of getting it done soon.
A Chevy cast iron bell like the one in the pic below will bolt up to an LS block (minus one bolt). The same bell is shown on my 5.3 LS engine on the run stand picture). A hydraulic throwout bearing will be the easiest solution for the clutch.

As mentioned, to make it a good driver that is both fun and useful, you’ll need to look at the T5 gears and how they match up with the rear axle gear.

An S10 T5 will have either a 4.03 or a 3.75 first gear. The difference is barely noticeable and since the amount of time you will spend in first gear is minimal, either of those gears will be fine for a daily driver. It is a quick shift. I have a 4.03 first gear in my 1963 C10.

For highway driving, ideally your fifth gear multiplied times your rear axle gear should end up around 2.80 - 3.00. (Example: 0.72 x 3.90 = 2.808). An LS engine will have enough HP to pull the truck along with a numerically lower result.

One question to consider is how you will drive the truck. A T5 in proper operating condition is rated for 250 hp and 300 foot pounds of torque. If you plan to spin the tires for fun, it would be best to choose a different transmission. The T5 will not take abuse.

Lastly, the bolt flange on the rear end of a LS crankshaft is 0.4 inches closer to the center of the block than a first or second generation SBC. Therefore, a SBC will need different modifications to the input shaft then an LS engine. I will save that discussion for another time.

Depending on the price, you should grab that 1992 S10 T5. They are becoming very hard to find and you will likely not take a loss if it’s in good condition.

Thanks for the reply’s. I plan to keep my original 52 frame just want to up grade drive train. Just started disassembling it this weekend and am on call. Looks like it’s gonna be a slow go. Weather just disc and power brakes up grade or a M11 front end I’m not sure yet. I don’t plan too drive a death trap on the highway, done that as a teenager.
The t5 is local and a good price. I have a rear end from a 70 camaro to use too. I will have to find out the ratio on both. Thanks for the help