The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop T-5 TRANSMISSION ??

I'm currently running a 4 speed saginaw in my 235 powered 54 3100, and I plan to install an S-10 T-5. I've read that an astro van uses an 11 inch 14 spline clutch that will work with the trans. Will this clutch work with my current bellhousing and pressure plate? Will I need a new pressure plate or another clutch that is different diameter? I believe I have a 10 inch clutch right now. Also from what I understand I will have to shorten the input shaft.

go to tech tips and i will answer most of your questions. ron

Having done this install, my advise is check out the tech tips and do a search on the topic. My experience is make sure you cut the "snout" off the input shaft maybe 1/8" more than recommended, for that reason I had to shim my tranny/bellhousing. You will need to extend the length of the input shaft splines. If you go from 10" to 11" clutch, you will need the appropriate flywheel and pressure plate. I would think the clutch disc from S-10 or Camaro should work.

I will be checking in on this thread. I have a saginaw 3 speed and am looking at swapping it out for a T5.

I found this thread for good info on the T5s used in f-body cars. Since I have bucket seats in my truck, Im okay with using a f-body trans which has the shifter further to the back. A f-body trans also requires no modifications.

Are the 3 and 4 speed saginaw transmissions the same? For some reason I thought it had a 26 spline input shaft.

A good list of F-body t5 transmissions

Model Yr...Engine(s).Input....Speedo.......Ratio........Model # (BWA)
1983........2.8 V6......14............7..............T5E.78......1352-015
1983........2.5 L4......14............7..............T5H.73......1352-027
1983........5.0 V8......26............7..............T5G.73......1352-028
1984........2.5 L4......14............7..............T5K.72......1352-054
1984........2.8 V6......14............7..............T5E.78......1352-061
1984........5.0 V8......26............7..............T5G.73......1352-062
1984 1/2..LG4/LG9...26............7..............T5G.73......1352-070
1985........2.8 V6......14............7..............T5P.76......1352-071
1985........5.0 V8......26............7..............T5U.63......1352-072
1985........2.5 L4......14............7..............T5R.72......1352-083
1985........2.8 V6......14............7..............T5S.73......1352-084
1986........................26............7..............T5V.61......1352-150
1986........2.8 LB8.....14............7..............T5P.76......1352-156(aft)
1986........LG4/L69....26............7..............T5U.63......1352-157
1986........L4 LQ9......................7..............T5R.72......1352-158
1987........LB9 308....26............9..............T5U.63......1352-166
1987........LB9...........26............7..............T5U.73......1352-178
1987........V6............14............7...............T5P.76......1352-181
1987........LB9 308....26............9..............T5U.63......1352-182
1987........LB9...........26............7..............T5U.73......1352-183
1987........V8.............26............7..............T5U.72......1352-185
1988........B9 5.0L.....26............7..............T5U.73......1352-175(wc)
1988........LO3 5.0L...26............9..............T5U.63......1352-176(wc)
1988........LB8 V6......14............7..............T5P.76......1352-177(wc)
1992 1/2..LB9 5.0L...26............7..............T5U.73......1352-212(wc)
1992 1/2..LO3 5.0L...26............9..............T5U.63......1352-213(wc)
1992 1/2..2.8 V6.......14............7..............T5P.76......1352-214(wc)
1992 1/2..2.8 V6.......14............7..............T5P.76......1352-228(wc)
1989-92...LB9 5.0L...26............7..............T5U.73......1352-195(wc)
1989-92...LO3 5.0L...26............9..............T5U.63......1352-196(wc)
1989-92...LB8 V6......14............7..............T5P.76......1352-197(wc)
1993........3.4L V6.....26............7..............T5Z.72......1352-210(wc)

RAM Clutches has a good website that lists spline clutch diameter applications.

I've been running a .72 BW T5 in my 54 truck for about 8000 miles.....used an 83-84 Firebird clutch disc with the stock pressure plate and T.O. bearing. I've documented the T5 mods in my Webshots "Shoebox" album and offered some tips that will save you a bunch of time and energy.

There are basically 2 common S10 T5's...the .72 OD with a 3.76 1st gear and a .86 OD with a 4.03 1st gear. The .72/3.76 runs through 1st gear very quickly, even with a 3.42 R&P......the 4.03 even quicker with a 3.08 R&P. You might want to consider the Camaro/Firebird T5 with a 2.95 1st gear and a .63 OD. The gear spread is much tighter and coupled with a 3.73 R&P should be slick in an AD truck. I'm using it in my next project build. Of course, there's always a hoop to jump through...the Camaro/Firebird boxes have a shifter mounted way back on the tailshaft. If you check out "Hybrid T5's" you'll see the conversion to a forward mount shifter. The only hitch to the conversion is using a cobalt drill bit to make a dimple in the mainshaft to relocate the mechanical speedo gear.

Upgrading to the T5 transmission is in my opinion, the best way to get your truck up to modern highway speeds. The .72 T5 with a 3.42 lets you cruise comfortably at 70 mph at 2000 rpms and you can drop down to 45 mph and accelerate with traffic with no downshift. Combine the transmission upgrade with some front discs, sway bars, gas shocks and some radials and you'll transform your truck into a great cruiser while still maintaining the "stock" look. Hope this helps.

Dave

Your pictures are great!!! finally I think I have a good idea of what I'm going to do with my build. I did read on one of the pictures that you cut 1 3/8 off of the throughout bearing shaft. Thats the first I've heard of doing that, is that the peice that holds the front bearing?

I would suggest that you tailor your T5 to the same measurements as your current Saginaw measurements. That way, you know for sure that the T5 will mate with your bellhousing. Mine just happened to be the measurements that duplicated the sm420 that came in my truck.

The T5 T.O. bearing retainer shaft is secured with 4 bolts....remove it from the transmission to make your cuts. Be sure to chamfer (gently) the ends where you cut them off. Also, make sure you slide the clutch disc PAST the end of the splines. If you ASSUME you've got them dressed down sufficiently and install the transmission, you may discover that your disc will not fully release. I found this out the hard way!! While you've got the T.O retainer shaft off.....replace the little seal that keeps the transmission fluid from contaminating your clutch pack. Ditto on the tailshaft seal. Also, the short bed S10 driveshaft is nearly perfect length.

I feel obligated to tell you that adding the T5 and getting your ride up to highway speeds is going to involve more than just bolting on the transmission. While you're developing your plan, be sure to take into consideration brakes, sway bars, snugging up the straight axle and installing upgraded tie rod ends. You'll find that the straight axle truck will handle the higher highway speeds with ease.....and the little 235 will push her along at 70 mph with ease and at 80mph you'll still have throttle left. Aside from the harsher ride of the straight axle, you'll discover that manual steering gives you ample feedback and that manual disc/drums will do the job with less potential for lock-ups. The key to building a good running truck or streetrod is to do your homework....ask plenty of questions and don't get caught up in just throwing money into your ride. You'll find that keeping the 235 and making some subtle upgrades will pay off when you're cruising down the open road or at the car shows. The Old Chevys have a loyal following and you'll get a chance to meet some nice fellow "Stovebolters" who'll share their own adventurers.

Dave

I have a T5 hybrid, camaro guts in an S10/15/sonoma truck housing, 26 spline, corvette clutch and PP. i have a 3.40 12 bolt rear e/w 2.75'' brakes and a 292 high torque motor. front end rebuilt & upgraded to 6 lug disc e/w power master. having a more modern motor i did not have to cut the T5 shaft, but as mentioned you do w/ a 235.
here are the calc's for various set-up, tire sizes and rear ratios.

a quick change shifter can be made ... see tech tips stovebolt
http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h298/1951otter/?action=view&current=584226-R1-050-23A.jpg
http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h298/1951otter/?action=view&current=DSC00367.jpg
http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h298/1951otter/?action=view&current=4472530-R1-029-13.jpg
http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h298/1951otter/?action=view&current=15.jpg
http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h298/1951otter/?action=view&current=17.jpg
1951 Delux Chevrolet 5 Window Pickup
Tire Diameter : 28 inches

Rear Gear Ratio 2: 3.40:1
MPH @ 3:40 ring & pinion
RPM 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
1000 8 12 18 24 32 0
1500 12 18 26 35 48 0
2000 16 24 35 47 64 0
2500 20 30 44 59 79 0
3000 24 36 53 71 95 0
3500 28 42 61 82 111 0
4000 32 48 70 94 127 0
4500 36 55 79 106 143 0
5000 40 61 88 118 159 0
5500 44 67 97 129 175 0
6000 48 73 105 141 191 0
6500 52 79 114 153 207 0
7000 56 85 123 165 222 0
7500 60 91 132 176 238 0
8000 64 97 140 188 254 0

MPH @ 3:43 ring & pinion
RPM 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
1000 8 12 18 24 32 0
1500 12 18 27 36 48 0
2000 16 24 35 47 64 0
2500 20 31 44 59 80 0
3000 24 37 53 71 96 0
3500 28 43 62 83 112 0
4000 32 49 71 95 128 0
4500 36 55 80 107 144 0
5000 40 61 89 119 160 0
5500 44 67 97 131 176 0

1951 Delux Chevrolet 5 Window Pickup
Tire Diameter : 28 inches

MPH @ 3:73 ring & pinion
RPM 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
1000 7 11 16 22 29 0
1500 11 17 24 33 44 0
2000 15 22 33 44 59 0
2500 18 28 41 55 74 0
3000 22 34 49 65 88 0
3500 26 39 57 76 103 0
4000 30 45 65 87 118 0
4500 33 51 73 98 133 0
5000 37 56 81 109 147 0
5500 41 62 90 120 162 0


MPH @ 4:11 ring & pinion
RPM 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
1000 7 10 15 20 27 0
1500 10 15 22 30 40 0
2000 13 20 30 40 54 0
2500 17 26 37 50 67 0
3000 20 31 44 59 80 0
3500 23 36 52 69 94 0
4000 27 41 59 79 107 0
4500 30 46 67 89 120 0
5000 34 51 74 99 134 0
5500 37 56 81 109 147 0


as dave [above] says it a whole package deal
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/draglink_adjustable.html
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/shifter/index.html