The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline T5 question

T5s from S-10s are getting scarce out here in the left coast. I'm finding lots of them from Camaros and other vehicles where the shift lever is mounted at the tail end. Is there any way to modify one of those so it will fit in a '40 1/2 ton with a bench seat?

Joe

Should be info on the swap in tech tips here or also check out youtube etc. I did this swap years ago on my 46, very good upgrade. Camaro t5 is great however you will need to get that shifter forward by swapping tail housing from an S 10 and an adapter plate that allows you to mate the T-5 to the 40s truck trans pattern. Another option is to use a 51 or so bellhousing that will bolt up to your S-10 but you will lose your pedal mounting boss on the bellhousing. Langdon's Stovebolt.com was selling these Camaro tranys some years back ready to bolt in. Give him a call 586 739-9601

https://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/tranny/sandoval/index.html

Hi Jim,

I forgot to mention that I've switched the engine out for a 235 so the bolt pattern should be ok. So if I can find a tail housing from an S10 and a Camaro T5 I should be good to go? I've located an S10 tail housing with a mechanical speedo, so I'll see if I can pick that up this week and then keep hunting for a decent price on a camaro T5. Thank you for the info.

Joe

I've also been searching on here for the possibility of using a NV 3500 but I can't locate any posts. Of course my search ability on the old interweb are somewhat lacking.

JoeR, Personal message to hot rod lincoln.

Lugnutz would probably be a better source of good info- - - -he's the resident T-5 guru!
Jerry

NV3500 has the bell housing is the front half of the case & it's a V8 pattern.

The good news is that good quality brand new repop S10 T5 tail housings with the MECHANICAL speedo connection are available. KEEP READING!
Tail housing link

The vendor on eBay (Allstate Gear Link here) frequently sells out, but keep following his store and they will likely pop up again.

The Camaro tail housing can be removed and the S10 housing put in its place, HOWEVER!!!!!
An S10 tail housing needs an S10 case cover and shift rod. The Camaro cover and shift rod will not work with the S10 tail housing.

Also, the speedo DRIVE gear location on the Camaro main shaft will need to be moved and secured to line up with the DRIVEN gear location on the S10 tail housing.

In summary, to convert a 1992 or earlier Camaro T5 to the S10 configuration, you will need the following:
S10 T5 tail housing (cable speedo or VSS speedo version)
S10 T5 case cover with shifter rod
The correct tooth DRIVE gear will need to be relocated on the main shaft
TH350 bullet style DRIVEN gear housing and correct gear tooth count
An adapter plate MIGHT be needed depending on the bell bolt pattern and T5 case bolt pattern. The S10 T5 came in two bolt patterns - Muncie bolt pattern and FORD pattern where it bolts to the bell.
Muncie and Ford case side by side.

It sure would be nice to have a factory S10 shifter too! Aftermarket shifters are very expensive and the cheap ones are junk. Be aware that most aftermarket shifters are designed for the Mustang T5 which is different than the S10 design.

JoeR,

I think Jeep uses 3500’s with separate bell housings, they also use some Oriental trans’ so check carefully.

Ed

Hey Lug,

Thanks for all the info. Sounds like looking for, waiting for, a good S-10 T-5 is the way to go. Oh yeah, and paying for it.

Joe

This video will help too.