Complete T5 swap thread - one way to skin the cat

[Slemmy]

Originally Posted by Old Bleu

Allens4876, I first tried to contact Hamilton Intakes about their adapter, and never got any response. I've read here that others had the same experience. Lugnutz put me on to Vintage Metalworks, and I ordered his spacer plate. It fit perfectly and looked to be be very well made. The only modifications that I had to make were shortening the driveshaft, slightly shortening the bearing retainer and slightly lowering the crossmember that holds the e-brake levers on my '64. I still need to get a new speedo gear in my T5 since my speedometer is 15% or so fast with my 3.73 gears. I've also discovered that my T5 is leaking ATF at the speedometer connection, but I'll install a new "bullet" with seal and o-ring when the speedo gear is replaced.

I don't have a lot of miles on mine since the swap, but it definitely makes driving the truck a much more enjoyable experience!

Bringing an old thread back to life with a question - do you know approx how much you had to shorten the bearing retainer for use with the Vintage Metalworks spacer plate? I also bought one from Dave at VM and I'd like to know how much I need to shorten it before i start putting it all back together.

Thanks a million!

[Slemmy]

Originally Posted by Slemmy

Bringing an old thread back to life with a question - do you know approx how much you had to shorten the bearing retainer for use with the Vintage Metalworks spacer plate? I also bought one from Dave at VM and I'd like to know how much I need to shorten it before i start putting it all back together.

Thanks a million!

OK I'm going to answer my own question in case anyone else was wondering the same thing. I spoke with Dave from Vintage Metalworks.

According to Dave, if you are using his spacer plate from Vintage Metalworks:

If you use a 10" clutch disc (NAPA Part number ND4201) then you do NOT need to shorten the bearing retainer. For anyone using an Astro Van clutch disc (11") you will need to shorten the bearing retainer 1/4".

That means that all that needs to be done is a shorter driveshaft and a lowering of the e-brake crossmember and I should be in business! Can't wait...

[Sharps40]

Actual speed/indicated speed -1 = X

X times 100 = percent high.

With your/my rear gearing (3.73 in the diff), each added speedo driven gear tooth should be about 5% reduction in speedometer read out...so....

Percent High/5 = Number of additional teeth needed on the driven gear to correct your speedo.

For example, this morning my speedo indicated 70 mph, Garman says actual is 55 Mph.

55/70 = .7857

.7857 - 1 = -.2142

.2142 X 100 = 21.42% error

21.42/5 = Need to install a speedo driven gear with 4.28 additional teeth to slow the reading down to correct speed.

At least, thats the theory. I'm gonna count teeth on my existing driven gear, measure the length and gear diameter and purchase either a T5/T10 driven gear or TH350 driven gear and driven gear houseing with 4 additional teeth on it.


Or ya can divide difference by actual and get a different figure with less math....in this case..

15/55 = 27.2% error....so given the internet myths and the possibilty the the common 26.7% ratio reducer is for sale, which do ya think is right? We'll see.....

[allens4876]

cool deal, thanks for the links lugnutz! ill definitely look into buying that one. I just wish the economy wouldnt have went to crap or i could have made my own at the shop!

[jocko]

Hey guys - just wanted to share - Vintage Metalworks now has the T5 adapter for both bell hsg bore sizes. Sharp looking product. This would have been MUCH easier and quicker if I'd had one of these things to start with. If you look in the upper right corner of the page, the upper right link is the small bore and the link right below it is the larger bore adapter.
http://vintagemetalworks.blogspot.co...bore-bell.html

[Lugnutz65]

Modern Drive Line is now selling a cable speedo connection T5 tail housing. Nice item but costs $650-675. Nice feature is that the shifter box accepts the Mustang size shifters which are much more plentiful than the S10 short throw shifters. The high cost is likely to recoup their R&D costs. Just mentioning that it's available. The Tremec 5 and 6 speed boxes seem like a better value than spending $650 on just a tail housing.

[Haulinass4]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

Modern Drive Line is now selling a cable speedo connection T5 tail housing. Nice item but costs $650-675. Nice feature is that the shifter box accepts the Mustang size shifters which are much more plentiful than the S10 short throw shifters. The high cost is likely to recoup their R&D costs. Just mentioning that it's available. The Tremec 5 and 6 speed boxes seem like a better value than spending $650 on just a tail housing.

So I have a 88 camaro t5 with a 95 s10 tailhousing to go into a 66 c10. I’ve been trying to find out what the replacement shifter would be and I can’t find anything. The mustang shifter bolts up to the s10 housing??? I’ve trying to figure this out for a while and can’t seem to get a straight answer. Just trying to find out the choices I guess
Posted via Mobile Device

[Slemmy]

Originally Posted by Haulinass4

So I have a 88 camaro t5 with a 95 s10 tailhousing to go into a 66 c10. I’ve been trying to find out what the replacement shifter would be and I can’t find anything. The mustang shifter bolts up to the s10 housing??? I’ve trying to figure this out for a while and can’t seem to get a straight answer. Just trying to find out the choices I guess
Posted via Mobile Device

The mustang shifter will not work as the size of the plate is different than that of an S10 T-5 tail housing. I made the mistake of buying a mustang shifter for my T-5. You'll need a GM S10 T-5 shifter like this one Here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Core-Shifte...zzylmg&vxp=mtr

Although I wouldn't recommend spending that kind of money -- just look for a used shifter (in working condition) that fits an 83-95 S10. I found mine for $20 on eBay.

Good luck!

[Haulinass4]

Originally Posted by Slemmy

The mustang shifter will not work as the size of the plate is different than that of an S10 T-5 tail housing. I made the mistake of buying a mustang shifter for my T-5. You'll need a GM S10 T-5 shifter like this one Here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Core-Shifte...zzylmg&vxp=mtr

Although I wouldn't recommend spending that kind of money -- just look for a used shifter (in working condition) that fits an 83-95 S10. I found mine for $20 on eBay.

Good luck!

I have the factory s10 shifter on there I just don’t want the goose neck post that comes on it and it’s really sloppy inside. I want the straight up post with the more universal flat style to change the stick. I was hoping to not have to cut it open to replace the post.....after you buy all the bits to fix it and put it back together seems like 200 isn’t that bad but I don’t really know how much work it really is. The neck is what’s killing this for me. I’m trying to get everything lined up before I install it this is the first big project on the truck and don’t want it to drag it out just because I don’t know the correct path and start ordering the wrong stuff. Any advice helps 👍🏻👍🏻
Posted via Mobile Device

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by Slemmy

The mustang shifter will not work as the size of the plate is different than that of an S10 T-5 tail housing. I made the mistake of buying a mustang shifter for my T-5. You'll need a GM S10 T-5 shifter like this one Here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Core-Shifte...zzylmg&vxp=mtr

Although I wouldn't recommend spending that kind of money -- just look for a used shifter (in working condition) that fits an 83-95 S10. I found mine for $20 on eBay.

Good luck!

I have a short throw S10 shifter that works great. Send me a PM.

[UrbanC10]

Does anyone happen to know how much you have to trim off the bearing retainer if you’re not using the spacer plate?

Looks like my original 3spd one is about 3 1/4 inches long.

[Dano0579]

Ok, thank you sorry