T5 swap & driveshaft length?

[jocko]

If I recall from when I did this, I went with a complete 14 spline Astro Van clutch/pressute plate/throwout bearing kit (I think it was an 11" clutch, but don't quote me on that).

Despite the author's mechanical incompetence, this thread might be of some help (the link to the 14 spline Astro clutch kit in Post #1 is long dead - but that's what it was a link to)

If not familiar with the potential different input shaft lengths (generally speaking if it's a Camaro T5, you're good - if S10 T5, input shaft is likely a little too long) - recommend take a look at post 1, here's an excerpt regarding the considerations if you have an S10 trans:

If S10 main case is confirmed and you have an S10 tailshaft housing, here are the things to do to make it work – the general idea is that you want to:

1. space the transmission and bell housing apart enough to compensate for the S10 T5’s input shaft being longer than your stock trans set-up while –
2. still making sure to provide proper trans-to-bell housing alignment (indexing) and -
3. still ensuring sufficient clutch hub spline and input shaft spline engagement and –
4. still ensuring sufficient engagement of the pilot shaft into the pilot bushing (I used a pilot bushing vice a pilot bearing, just one less thing to go bad in my mind, a bushing is a simple chink of metal rather than a mechanical marvel like a roller bearing – so I like simple – but that’s just me) and -
5. still allowing you to do all the above with a stock bell housing and regular old stock mechanical clutch linkage – no hydraulic release bearing or slave cylinder is required.

Some places sell spacers nowadays, you shouldn't have to make one yourself. Or, like I said, if it's a camaro trans (with an S10 tailshaft - truly the best of both worlds), all you need is the new clutch kit. Recommend using your truck's original bell housing, Camaro's bells induced a twist to angle the shifter toward the driver, I think..... It's been a while, but the details are in the link if you find it helpful.

Also bear in mind the difference in indexing ring diameters - this is why I had to build the special sized ring along with the spacer - it ensures centering of the trans (generally speaking the bolts don't do this as accurately as you'd think).

Good luck, it's a funs swap for the most part - but very worth the effort, fun to drive.