T5 Swap Done.

[CWT]

Anybody with a 3 speed that wants to put something else in its place is crazy not to to the T5 swap. I got less than $300 in it and its smooth as silk.
I used the Hamilton T5 plate, got a 14 spine 10" s10 clutch plate, and used a 78-81 2 door malibu drive shaft with 1 1\4 inch took out of it. Cut the drive shaft ourselves. Never again will I pay to have it done. Stuck it back in the truck and put a indicator on it and got it running true and started welding. But the straight 6 and T5 is awesome. Ive ran it probably 6-700 miles in 2 weeks. Parked my Nissan and been driving to work everyday. Here is a few pics I took today at lunch at a old rail yard.

[likaroc13]

great to hear....& the truck is looking good!

[protrash64]

Nice. Good way around the too low geared rear axle, too. What rpm are you turning at freeway speeds?

[Schwinn68]

how hard was it to locate and mount the slave cylinder on the firewall? I'm planning on doing this swap only with a nv3500 in the near future and this is about the only thing holding me up

[bama63]

nice ride

[raycow]

Originally Posted by Schwinn68

how hard was it to locate and mount the slave cylinder on the firewall? I'm planning on doing this swap only with a nv3500 in the near future and this is about the only thing holding me up

That's one of the neat things about the T-5. You don't need hydraulic linkage. It bolts to your stock bellhousing. I did this swap on my 60 C-10 a couple of years ago (replacing the stock SM420) and I would never go back.

Ray

[dieselarmy13]

Dude I love your truck!

[CWT]

Originally Posted by raycow

That's one of the neat things about the T-5. You don't need hydraulic linkage. It bolts to your stock bellhousing. I did this swap on my 60 C-10 a couple of years ago (replacing the stock SM420) and I would never go back.

Ray

Correct. If your going with a nv3500 you will have to have a hyd. setup. I looked at it before I went this route. And I believe that if you took and indexed the splined arm at the end of the clutch shaft under the dash to where it would push a rod out the fire wall like a brake rod you could put a clutch master cyl where it falls pretty easy. That way you can use your stock pedal assy. Of course I didnt try it but I believe it will work pretty easy.

[CWT]

Originally Posted by protrash64

Nice. Good way around the too low geared rear axle, too. What rpm are you turning at freeway speeds?

Dont know I was wondering that myself. Just guessing prob 2300-2700. Just a guess. Also I ordered a CPP crossmember. I didnt use it. I may be wrong but I didnt think it would hurt just running it like a 3 speed without one. The length is longer of course. But weight wise they are pretty close. I hadnt had any issues and it seems to be very smooth. Alot smoother than I was expecting. Just thought I would throw that out there for anybody that is planning on donig the swap.

[mcmullinauctions]

What kind of MPG are you getting after the swap?

[Schwinn68]

what kind of hp is the t5 rated for? I see that you put it behind a straight six but I've got a mild 350. I'm not going to go crazy with the motor but I want to be able to get on it every once in a while. My truck is just a cruiser that has already seen a good bit of highway driving so the overdrive is becoming a must. I'll have to look into the t5 just for the ease of installation.

[CWT]

Originally Posted by Schwinn68

what kind of hp is the t5 rated for? I see that you put it behind a straight six but I've got a mild 350. I'm not going to go crazy with the motor but I want to be able to get on it every once in a while. My truck is just a cruiser that has already seen a good bit of highway driving so the overdrive is becoming a must. I'll have to look into the t5 just for the ease of installation.

We put one behind a 350 in a Model A coupe and is donig fine. If you dont plan on beating on it alot it will hold up. If you get the Hamilton plate and a clutch disc you will be pretty much set to use a T5.

[boucher racing]

I am thinking about doing the swap. Did you get one out of a camaro or a S10? Is the shifter location at the end of the trans or more towards the middle? BTW, your truck looks great. Stance is spot on.

Boucher

[CWT]

Originally Posted by boucher racing

I am thinking about doing the swap. Did you get one out of a camaro or a S10? Is the shifter location at the end of the trans or more towards the middle? BTW, your truck looks great. Stance is spot on.

Boucher

S-10. The shifter falls at the rear of the trans tunnel right before it steps up to where the seat is bolted. Couldnt have been more perfect.

And thanks. I dig your truck too Ive been keeping up with your turbo build. Im looking for a 292 to do something pretty wild with. I want one to rev and sound like this.

YouTube- Hot Rod 292 six cylinder

[boucher racing]

Wow. That video is making me second guess my turbo project. I love the way that engine comes back to idle so quick after a throttle shot. It reminds me of those top fueler's from this weekends hot rod reunion drags. From what I have seen, you can pick up an engine for next to nothing. A intake and headers usually cost more than the whole engine itself!

The turbo project has been a blast. Just like anything, its mostly tuning now and resisting the urge to turn up the boost! I have been putting some major miles on it lately and is really reliable. I need to upgrade the ignition with HEI it is running off a converted points system. Then to S10 5 speed.

Are you headed to any shows?

[CWT]

Originally Posted by boucher racing

Wow. That video is making me second guess my turbo project. I love the way that engine comes back to idle so quick after a throttle shot. It reminds me of those top fueler's from this weekends hot rod reunion drags. From what I have seen, you can pick up an engine for next to nothing. A intake and headers usually cost more than the whole engine itself!

The turbo project has been a blast. Just like anything, its mostly tuning now and resisting the urge to turn up the boost! I have been putting some major miles on it lately and is really reliable. I need to upgrade the ignition with HEI it is running off a converted points system. Then to S10 5 speed.

Are you headed to any shows?

Thinking about going to Dragstalgia in Crossville Tn on July 24th. We go to the Redneck Rumble in Lebonon every year. Its bout to damn hot to do much. Let me know of any cool show your way if you dont mind. Not alot here in Nrth Alabama.

[boucher racing]

too hot, I hear that. I just got a flyer on the Dragstalgia over the weekend, looks like fun. I have never been to the Redneck Rumble and want to go. A killer show is the Goodguys at Bowling Green in October. See ya around.

[jb1016]

What an awesome truck CWT. That's the epitome of what a patina truck should be, at least IMHO. I bet it's waaay more fun after the T5 too.

[CWT]

Originally Posted by boucher racing

too hot, I hear that. I just got a flyer on the Dragstalgia over the weekend, looks like fun. I have never been to the Redneck Rumble and want to go. A killer show is the Goodguys at Bowling Green in October. See ya around.

Yeah I had a room and all for BG last year and had to cancel the day before. Me and my wife may ride up to Nashville in my truck one weekend to just hang out. I may Pm you and see if there is any good cruises that weekend. Catch you later.

[DPowers]

Truck looks good

[Schwinn68]

are there many differences between the t-5 in an s-10 and one from an f-body? I just found one out of a firebird for a decent price. I'm putting buckets in my truck so shifter location isn't critical. where did you get your clutch kit from and about how much? thanks

[raycow]

Originally Posted by Schwinn68

are there many differences between the t-5 in an s-10 and one from an f-body? I just found one out of a firebird for a decent price. I'm putting buckets in my truck so shifter location isn't critical. where did you get your clutch kit from and about how much? thanks

I looked at an F-body T-5 before settling on one from an S-10. The big stumbling block for me was the shifter location, although it would probably be ok if you have buckets.

On the plus side, the F-body input shaft is the same length as a stock 3 or 4 speed, so you won't need a spacer plate (I shortened the shaft pilot and bearing retainer on mine, which is another way to do it). Also, the V-8 transmissions (but not the V-6) are stronger than the S-10 version and have a 26 spline input shaft instead of 14.

My truck had an 11" clutch, so I bought a rebuilt stock disc (only) for a 4.3 Astrovan. I re-used my pressure plate and throwout bearing, which had only a few miles on them. The disc cost about $30 plus the core charge.

Ray

[Schwinn68]

thanks for the info!

I might just have to pull the trigger on this and sell my nv3500. Seems like a pretty straight forward install. I'll get a new clutch kit though as mine is shot in my truck right now anyways.

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice job, and thanks for sharing the info for everyone! This would be a great swap for alot of guys I'd imagine.

[slepysal]

nice very nice