Complete T5 swap thread - one way to skin the cat

[brokenspoke]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

Yes, I will retract my earlier statement about the S10 not having a WC tranny. Apparently some did. I am again the victim of wrong info that I have read on the web. Jocko says his 93 S10 T5 is a WC also. I am planning a web page on my BLOG that will contain helpful info for folks who have questions about the T5. I just bought a 1988 V8 Camaro WC T5. I'm posting photos on my BLOG that show it side by side with a GMC S15 NWC T5 just so people can see the differences.
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One thing I have learned is nothing suprises me about the t -5

[RdoubleU]

Jocko - Can you please update your thoughts on using the Lokar Double Bend Lever with the Core Shifter base

I am wanting to go this same route but the Core Shifter guy was trying to discourage it.

Just wanted to see how your solution of having the pass through bolts and nuts was working out long term, still a solid feel and solution?

Thanks for the help

Per Core Shifters "Lokar sticks are made to use 8mm mounting bolts
like most stock shifter bases. All Hurst shifter bases have 3/8"-24
threads. So to use a Lokar stick you need to run longer bolts through and
put nuts on the back side. And of course the Hurst serrations will not be
utilized. It's not the best approach. I recommend a Hurst chrome stick
instead."

[LVPhotos]

Mine has '85 V-8 Trans AM with s-10 tailshaft and a s-10 Hurst shifter. The fullsize truck is straight. Mine does touch in 2and4.

[silversnail86]

Mine ride about 3 inches off the seat in 2nd and 4th and always hits the person riding in the middle when I put it in reverse. But I like the shifts and the looks. just a hurst shifter welded on a cut s10 shifter.

( i did take the auto shifter off and covered the holes in the stick shifter.

[RdoubleU]

Thanks guys - good info on the shapes of Hurst options and hitting the seat

I was trying to find someones input on these Hurst Model #'s:
- Hurst chrome stick 538-6900- 13.5" tall: http://www.core-shifters.com/servlet...-Chrome/Detail

- Hurst chrome stick 538-4331- 16.5" tall (the tallest one Hurst makes) : http://www.core-shifters.com/servlet...16.5%22/Detail

Or just stick with the Double Bend Lokar if it works, just was hoping for a long term update from Jocko on this one

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by RdoubleU

Thanks guys - good info on the shapes of Hurst options and hitting the seat

I was trying to find someones input on these Hurst Model #'s:
- Hurst chrome stick 538-6900- 13.5" tall: http://www.core-shifters.com/servlet...-Chrome/Detail

- Hurst chrome stick 538-4331- 16.5" tall (the tallest one Hurst makes) : http://www.core-shifters.com/servlet...16.5%22/Detail

Or just stick with the Double Bend Lokar if it works, just was hoping for a long term update from Jocko on this one

It's about 2 weeks away, but I'm gonna look at options at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Auto Fair (April 4 - 7). I will post pics after I get back. I have no doubt there will be lots of vendors with many options to choose from.

[silversnail86]

- Hurst chrome stick 538-6900- 13.5" tall is the one in mine. I really like it, but passengers complain. Also mine's an 86, I had to massage the floor a just a bit to get the trans in place, just for a reference.

[LVPhotos]

My t5 is top mount shifter and thats a s10 direct fit. My engine sits in stock location. You might have to check excatly where the transmission sits. I am using stock front v8 engine mount bellhouse. It has motor /trans mounts. The shifter touches but with the tank out I can move seat back. If need be get the full-size c -10 straight leg.
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[jocko]

Originally Posted by RdoubleU

Thanks guys - good info on the shapes of Hurst options and hitting the seat

I was trying to find someones input on these Hurst Model #'s:
- Hurst chrome stick 538-6900- 13.5" tall: http://www.core-shifters.com/servlet...-Chrome/Detail

- Hurst chrome stick 538-4331- 16.5" tall (the tallest one Hurst makes) : http://www.core-shifters.com/servlet...16.5%22/Detail

Or just stick with the Double Bend Lokar if it works, just was hoping for a long term update from Jocko on this one

RW,
Sorry slow reply - but here's my 2 cents. I drove it a long time with the Lokar double bend and had no problems (truck has since sold Ha). Yes, what Core Shifters mentions regarding bolt size is correct. I highlighted this fact in post #1 of this thread:

"I used a Lokar 16” stick and 5-speed ball. Note, most t5 shifters you buy are drilled for 8mm metric bolts. So if you buy a Lokar or similar, you will likely need to use 5/16” bolts that pass through the stick and shifter mounting holes and then throw some lock nuts on them because you may find a counterbore/bolt/thread mismatch between your shifter and stick, etc. I used 5/16” socket-head bolts and nylon-insert lined lock nuts on the other side."

It has worked just fine, it never came loose at all. I had no problems. I think the key was using the nylok nuts.

Kinda comes down to what you want the interior to look like - I was contemplating scuffing and painting the stick black and stickin an old doorknob on it with a hand-scribbled 5-speed pattern, so that's why I went with the round stick vice a flat Hurst-type. I ended up keeping it chrome, and round cross-section sticks look a "little" more stock, but if you're going with a race-inspired truck, the Hurst looks good too. However, to answer your question - if you use the part numbers and caveats about the pass-thru design for mounting, it will all work out fine and will last also.

[dantimdad]

I built my own stick. I took a piece of 1/2" round rod, heated the end up and pounded it flat and drilled two holes in it. Put two bends in it and angled the top bend sideways so it sat right. Then I welded a grenade on for a shifter knob.





Steven

[RdoubleU]

Good info Jocko, thanks for for the followup exactly what I needed to know. I'm feeling the lokar look over the Hurst as you mentioned

[Dano0579]

Hey Jocko,
Got me a T5 and fixing to do the swap. Don't be surpised if I ask you a lot of question during the process, lol. Thanks for the wonderful post!!

[BAT]

Originally Posted by Dano0579

Hey Jocko,
Got me a T5 and fixing to do the swap. Don't be surpised if I ask you a lot of question during the process, lol. Thanks for the wonderful post!!

And with mechanical speedo, those are getting harder and harder to come by. Good luck!!!
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[Dano0579]

Originally Posted by BAT

And with mechanical speedo, those are getting harder and harder to come by. Good luck!!!
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Thanks Bat, I was real lucky. I posted that i needed one on one of those facebook pages and someone answered back with the one i uploaded. He sold it to me for $200.00 with gear shifter and a new yoke. It's from a 85 s10 2.8L V6. Has the 0.72 OD.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by Dano0579

Hey Jocko,
Got me a T5 and fixing to do the swap. Don't be surpised if I ask you a lot of question during the process, lol. Thanks for the wonderful post!!

you're welcome, happy to help if I can. feel free to pm me if you like as well, that will get you the quickest answer (or the quickest "i don't know"... )

From your description above, sounds like you got a winner and a good deal.

[Dano0579]

Originally Posted by jocko

you're welcome, happy to help if I can. feel free to pm me if you like as well, that will get you the quickest answer (or the quickest "i don't know"... )

From your description above, sounds like you got a winner and a good deal.

Thanks Jocko!

[BB77551]

maybe i missed it but what clutch and pressure plate did you use . was it the stock six clutch assy. or did you use a different clutch ?

[AZ59apacheguy]

Originally Posted by BB77551

maybe i missed it but what clutch and pressure plate did you use . was it the stock six clutch assy. or did you use a different clutch ?

Dont want to step on the OP's toes, but I used a 14 spline, 11" Clutch Kit from from a Astro Van.
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[jocko]

No worries AZ59 - pitch in!

I also used what AZ59 used - and it's also listed by part number (O'reily, I think) on one of the first few posts I believe. As previously mentioned, highly recommend not reusing one or two parts - buy the whole "kit" that includes the disk, pressure plate, AND release bearing - that way you are assured of a workable stacked height of the components.

[tincan1966]

OK stupid question- found a T5 out of an '88 S-10 with shifter. $200 is asking price- is that reasonable? I noted from pics it has electric speedo, which is not a bad thing for me.

Thanks!

[Lugnutz65]

A "fair" price depends on:
- the condition of the T5. Is it rebuilt - or does it have 150,000 miles on it?
- the gearing of T5. Some have more desirable OD gearing than others.
- if the tailshaft has the kind of speedometer drive that you want for your specific vehicle.

Just remember, you will probably need to buy an adapter plate for about $130 - $150 so you can use it.

I think you should offer no more than $100 unless . . . . it has been rebuilt . . etc.

I have a T5 section on my website that shows you how to check the 1st gear and OD gearing so you know for sure what you are getting.

Jay

[jocko]

if it is functional and it has the gearing you like, I would not hesitate personally. $200 isn't bad for a functional trans. If it will need a rebuild, then I'd go $100 or just keep looking. These seem to be getting harder to find. If you know it's coming out of its original vehicle, etc - then the metal tag may give you a hint at what the gearing is by cross-referencing some of the links on the first few posts - but no guarantees, the only way to know for sure is to stick it in the individual gears (primarily 1st and 5th are the ones you REALLY would want to know) and count the revolutions of the input vs output shafts. If you can't rotate them by hand, then that's a sure sign you need to pass on it. Good luck!

[AZ59apacheguy]

Originally Posted by jocko

No worries AZ59 - pitch in!

I also used what AZ59 used - and it's also listed by part number (O'reily, I think) on one of the first few posts I believe. As previously mentioned, highly recommend not reusing one or two parts - buy the whole "kit" that includes the disk, pressure plate, AND release bearing - that way you are assured of a workable stacked height of the components.

I have a question about the throwout bearing. The one that came with the Astro Van Kit left too much gap between the bearing and the fingers of the pressure plate. I also ran out of adjustment on my linkage arm and the best freeplay distance I could obtain was 3". I removed the T5 and installed the throwout bearing out of my 235/SM420 combo. That worked out perfectly and I was able to obtain the 1" freeplay required. Is there something weird going on? What did everyone else use?

[tincan1966]

Thanks guys for the input! This trans has been for sale for a while, will go look at the tags and give it a visual.

[porter90]

man I wish I could find an s-10 t5..i have to cut another hole another 3inches back for the shifter! womp womp woommmp