overdrive decision... going with a T5 swap

[mark '87 930]

So, after posting and doing a lot of reading, I've decided to go with a T5 swap considering i was able to get my hands on 2 transmissions for $300 total. Both are '85 NWC units, one form an S10 and the other from a Camaro. I read ALL the pro's and cons about the transmissions weakness, but i drive my truck like i own it and don't do burnouts. It's my daily driver in the summer and i am on the highway 95% of the time.. plus i don't pull anything with it.

The goal is to use the forward mounted shifter tail housing of the S10, all with having the Camaro input shaft so no mods are really required when mounting.

That said, my question is as follows:

1) Are the two transmission identical when it comes to strength (I don't care about gear ratios).

I ask because I'm wondering if it's better to just put the input shaft from the Camaro onto the S10 T5 and call it a day, or should i put the S10 tailshaft onto the Camaro T5 (which is more work).

[va4cqd]

no they are not identical strength if the camaro one is from a v8

[mark '87 930]

Sorry, I should have clarified, it's from a v6 camaro... and the s10 is from a v6 truck too.

[magicoolbus]

I have done lots of research on this topic and have copied the links to the ones that I felt provided the most information. I have acquired the transmission, a -145, and the vintage metal works adapter. Just waiting on the show season to wind down here in AZ and I will make the swap. Gonna use AZ Driveshaft here in town to to a one piece drive shaft too. Good Luck.

http://hamiltonintakes.com/products/...-5-information

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313954

http://www.inliners.org/

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/t5_fivespeed.htm

http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Bo...T5-ID-Tags.htm

http://vintagemetalworks.blogspot.co...ter-plate.html

http://azdriveshaft.com/

[mknittle]

I think one behind a six would be fun!

[mark '87 930]

Thanks magicoolbus. I looked at most of those sites already, i guess i'm still unclear as to whether or not the v6 version of the camaro T5 is stronger than the s10 v6 version. I may just put the camaro input shaft on the s10 and call it a day.

[judd55]

The Camaro box has slightly higher ratios which may be a better fit for ya. If it were me I'd swap out the tailshafts and use the Camaro box.. I did this mod with a NWC V8 Camaro box and put it behind a mildly built 350 with no problems. Like you say "I drove it like I owned it" No hard launches or power shifts. Used a Pro-5 shifter with positave stops, this alone will prolong the life of the tranny itself.

check ratios here.............
http://www.flatheadv8.org/ernie/ernie-t5.htm

[mark '87 930]

Thanks judd55. i actually like the better od at .76 from the s10, and didn't want to fiddle with the speedo gear shim thing. if they're equal strength i'll likely keep the camaro box as a spare. i'll look into the pro shifter though. thanks

[mark '87 930]

for those of you interested.... i used both t5's. i ended up really using the camaro t5, but i didn't want to fiddle with the speedo shim as well i wanted the better OD gears.

i pulled the output shafts on both and dissasembled them. used all the camaro gears but on the s10 shaft. i also used the s10 5th gearset. so now i've got a 3.5 first and a .69 overdrive. i wanted to retain my 3.90 rear gears, so this works great.

took me about 2 hrs, of which at least half the time was swearing and pulling the 5th driven gear off both shafts. what a ***** that was.

Thanks everyone for input.

[mknittle]

Thanks mark I was wondering if that would work.

[solidaxel]

So how does first gear work out for you with a 3:90 rear gear and a 3:50 first gear?
We sedled on a Saganaw 4 speed with a 2:70 REAR GEAR AND A 3:50 FIRST GEAR AND THE TOTAL SWAP TURNED OUT GREAT FOR A 4 SPEED. sorry about the cap lock !!

[mark '87 930]

I haven't driven it yet as it's winter up here, so i'll have to see this summer. Ultimately, I don't mind a low first as i do need to pull my boat for 2 miles every year to drop it in the water. If i don't ever use 1st for anything else, that's fine with me. I really wanted the overdrive since 95% of my driving is done at above 50 mph.