5 SPD Manual Camaro Tranmission Swap??

[supermuble]

I am curious if it is possible to install a 1990's - 2007 Era 5 spd camaro/firebird tranmission in a 1970 C10 pickup with a 350 V8 with a factory 3 spd on the tree.

My question is, do they make a shift lever kit for trucks, as the shifter would be VERY low to the floor! Is this a common swap?

[roj2323]

on that transmission there is actuly 2 possitions which the shifter will mount. on most vehicals "cars" the rear possition is used however there may be a kit out thare to use the more forward position. another thing to concider is are you going to convert to a hydrolic clutch or keep the clutch fork. if you keep the clutch fork there is a conversion kit to do this. ironicly the conversion kit is nessasary either way though as the trans needs an extra 1/2in between the bellhousing and the trans to offset the difference between the newer blocks "LS1 exc." and the older small blocks.

is it a common swap for trucks, no not really
is it a common swap for older camaros and other classic cars, yea.

welcome to the board btw.
ondrew

[MisterMan]

you got my gears turnoig....

[Brad]

I'm working on the S-10 version which is nearly the same. I'm seriously thinking about just getting that Camaro version at the junkyard and spending the money with the hassle that I'm going through. I have another thread on that if you're interested.

[Werewolf]

Starting in '93 the V8 Camaros went with the T-56 6 speed. The V6 kept the 5 speed. They used a 3.4L V6 earlier on in the 4th generation F-body, and then moved to a 3.8 V6. I'm not sure about the bell housing on the 3.8, but the 3.4 isn't the right size. At best the 3.8 put out 200 horsepower. The 4.3's in the S-10's put out 160 in TBI format, and 200 in the Voretc. Thus, I'm not sure if those 5 speeds could handle the power of a beefed up V8. Any '92 or older Camaro 5 speed should do okay.

As for converting, sorry, I couldn't tell you.

[Huck]

Consider the issue of speedo cable hookup. Later model trans have electronic sensed speedo and will not convert to cable setups. I did a 96 truck 5speed into my 72. I would not do that design again as it uses a self adjusting hydralic throwout bearing. Go for one with the clutch fork even if hydralic operated.

[69rut]

The '88-'92 trannys are the ones to look for. They are World Class, which means they have better internals. Also you want a V-8 transmission, these are rated at about 300 hp/torque. There will be no need to change the flywheel or clutch linckage, but the cultch plate has finer splines(T-5).

The rear cross member will have to be moved back and it will be modified for an 18* angle because Chevy put them in the Camaro this way. Also the driveshaft with need to be shortened.

If you can find a S-10 tranny, you can use the tail housing to move the shifter forward. This will require the use of the S-10 output shaft as the speedometer cable connettion is in a different location.

FYI the 3.8 has the same bellhousing as a V-8.

[lilpup69chevy]

i did a lt1/T56 6 spd swap in an s10, the shifter will set further back in a truck which is kinda wierd so i made my own gear shift rod not hard to do its better and easier to shift if you have bucket seats by the way

[supermuble]

Ok, so is there a good transmission to use that comes out of a truck, one that is easier to shift than the very old cast iron transmissions? I am going to use a Twin Turbo 350 V8 engine. I like to build everything myself. Using a 700R4 with 600 ft lbs of torque does not seem like a good idea to me. I know that a manual transmission will handle just about anything, as long as you do not have wheel hop! I'm going to use the manual tranmission becuase if it does break, it can be replaced. And I don't plan on racing, so quick shifts are not necessary, nor is my launching capability important.

I'm using a Twin Turbo engine for fun. But I have NO idea what manual transmission to use. Thus far, it sounds like they do not make a good manual transmission conversion with an overdrive??? I need a speedometer, or at least an option for a digital speedometer. A new transmission with no speedometer is out of the question. This will be a street driver.

Thanks for all the help!

Here is a very simple turbo 4 cylinder I did. I plan on doing something similar with a V8. It should have 400 to 500hp and about 600ft lbs of torque. My little 4 cylinder is around 220 ft lbs with only 2.4L @ 6 PSI of boost. The trubocharger only cost $150 plus a $50 rebuild kit. I could use two of these turbo's for the V8 engine.

http://www.angelfire.com/planet/celica

[jodydewey]

If you are planning on getting 600 ft/lb of torque from that the only manual you can get for a truck is a Tremec TKO 600. It has the forward shifter position and also can take the torque.

[Werewolf]

I'd get a T-56 out of a '93 or newer F-body. '93 to '97 will bolt right up, but you're on your own with the speedo. I believe there are conversion kits that allow the use of a newer trans with an analog speedo, but I'm not sure. I never plan on doing this type of conversion. I'm going the way of a TH-400 since the truck's not going to be a racer or daily driver. And if it does, I can just go with the Gear Vendors overdrive.

But yeah, a 6 speed in one of these trucks would ROCK.

[supermuble]

What is a Tremec TKO 600? Where can I get one?

And a T56, will the shift linkage work in a truck? I think the speedometer issue can be sorted out easily by using an electric speedometer, i'm sure they sell those that bolt right into our old trucks right? These are Chevy's afterall.... If a T56 will work, will it shift very smooth?? Does it have overdrive??

[454_72_4X4]

Originally Posted by supermuble

What is a Tremec TKO 600? Where can I get one?

And a T56, will the shift linkage work in a truck? I think the speedometer issue can be sorted out easily by using an electric speedometer, i'm sure they sell those that bolt right into our old trucks right? These are Chevy's afterall.... If a T56 will work, will it shift very smooth?? Does it have overdrive??

A Tremec is a 5 speed with overdrive. Basically the same trans used in Ford Mustangs. The GM version is aftermarket only as far as I know.

The T56 is 6 speed used in Camaros, Vettes? and Vipers. 5th and 6th gears are both overdrive ratios.

[Longhorn Man]

back to the original question on the T-5...i wouldn't do it on a 350 powered truck. GM never installed them on 350's becouse they are weak and not built for the power.

[lilpup69chevy]

a t56 is a tremec transmission but you will still have the shifter located far back if you use one out of an f body and i'm pretty sure the original ones just had the one location for the shifter which will cause a problem for you i had to use bucket seats in my s10 however with the money you'd spend on a new tremec t56 you could get a darn good automatic to hold the power and torque if a stick shift is what you desire why not go with a muncie? if thats not enough gears for you you can always change the rear gearing.

[Locutus]

The orginal T56 that came out of a Camaro was made by Borg Warner. The aftermarket version is made by Tremec.

[supermuble]

Thanks for all the help. The problem is, once an engine is turbocharged, you have a minimum of 40% more torque on tap immedietely after you depress the gas pedal. It does take a second for the turbos to begin spooling, but once they do, it is as if your vehicle is suddenly 40% lighter. Consider this. An engine with 12 PSI of boost actually has DOUBLE the displacement. That means a 350 engine becomes a 700 cubic inch engine. But there is a catch. The 350 engine has less internal friction than a 700, so it could produce just as much or more power.

Now, you wonder why I want super high gears and a tough transmission! I only want to run 6 PSI of boost. This requires NO internal engine mods. (Cast pistons, and 1.94 valves) but the engine will still run like a 502 big block!

So it sounds like, no matter what, I'm stuck with an automatic tranmission. Apparently the manual transmissions aren't easy to use and they are also too expensive. I guess we will see how long 700R4's last in turbo applications.