The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline T5 swap- have 2 T5s- go with S10 or Camaro?

I'm doing a T5 swap on my '51 with a 216. I have 2 complete T5s to choose from. I also have the original 3spd bellhousing. Goal is street driving maybe up to 60-65 mph with no hauling.

Based on reading all the threads and articles, I figured the camaro T5 was the easiest for me so long as I found a donor tailshaft. So a month ago I picked up a T5 from an 85 camaro for $75. In looking for the tailshaft, yesterday I found and bought a good T5 from an S10 for $150. So, now I wonder if I should install the S10 and get around the long shaft issues or stick to my original plan with the Camaro T5 and swap tailshafts. Here are the specs:

Camaro 1352-071 .... 4.03... 2.37 ... 1.49... 1.0 ... 0.76
S10 .... 1352-145 .... 3.78 ... 2.18 ... 1.42 ... 1.0 .. 0.72

I was going to buy a 3.73 rear but the seller sold it out from under me at last minute. I can get a Z28 3.42 rear and that will get me around 2000-2100 rpm with either T5 going 65 mph. I guess I could run with one T5 and if it doesn't give me what I need, do a swap then.

Any thoughts? Many thanks

I started out with a 3.42 rear behind an S10 T5. I had a factory 3.42 rear gear. My S10 had the 4.03 1st gear, and a .86 overdrive, don't remember the other ratios. Long story short, the ideal setup is a Camaro with the S10 tailshaft housing, which will put the shifter up about 8 inches in front of the seat. According to 5speeds.com, you have your applications reversed, with the gear ratios for one shown for the other tag number . (the S10 is -145, the Fbody is the -071). If you'll call me, I can walk you through the swap. 270-559-6036.

I would use the s-10 trans with a 55-59 rear end with 3.90 gears. The 216 won't pull too high of gear ratios.

Thanks. More i read and think about it, i need different gear.

i put a t-5 and an s-10 rear in my 46 1/2ton with a 216....runs fine, just had to get a trans adapter from bendtsen's bolted right up, no cutting, bendtsens even set me up with the right clutch disc to use too

I've been reaching out to 'bolters who have done this conversion with questions of my own - I hope you don't mind! What did you do about your rear axle? Did you modify the transmission X-member? Are you still able to use your speedometer?

Thanks,

~rockrr~

I did the total s-10 swap, I used the original springs and welded 1 3/4 inch spring perches from JC Whitney onto an s-10 rear 4 1/8inches from the backing plates on each side and installed it in my truck The trans is an 89, with electronic speedo, I purchased a cable x box to convert from electronic to cable speedo, I had to do some modifications, to the trans crossmember, the tech tips sections has a t-5 swap section, i have alot of pictures on my build so far http://s629.photobucket.com/albums/uu14/kurtdh519/

ALSO,I used the S-10 original factory shifter, i just took the chrome part off and just put the curved part of the shifter handle in a press at work and straightened out the curved part, and it works great

Thanks for the reply and sharing your pictures. It's always great when you can breathe fresh life into these old machines.

I'm still not sure what I'm going to do about the brake pedal or P-brake. Did your truck have them bolted to bosses on the original transmission?

I still have the original pedals and the starter pedal, im in the middle of fabricating a bracket for the original parking brake handle for the parking brake to keep it in the original position, they were originally bolted to the side of the transmission