The T5 has arrived!

[canadian_diesel1964]

10 minutes from my house, rebuilt , S10 tail stock already installed with mechanical speedo, Bell housing, and hurst shifter....I can't complain at all. I even saw the parts that were removed and replaced. The guys place was antiseptic . Then he took me to see his sons awesome 62 that had a T5 already. Amazing. Only is I didn't have my phone to snap the truck. Sometimes you get lucky. A big thanx to Lugnutz65 and his blog too!

[Mackie]

Schweet...is it a WC? Do you know the ratios?

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by canadian_diesel1964

10 minutes from my house, rebuilt , S10 tail stock already installed with mechanical speedo, Bell housing, and hurst shifter....I can't complain at all. I even saw the parts that were removed and replaced. The guys place was antiseptic . Then he took me to see his sons awesome 62 that had a T5 already. Amazing. Only is I didn't have my phone to snap the truck. Sometimes you get lucky. A big thanx to Lugnutz65 and his blog too!

I have goose bumps all over! Haha! Nice score! Will you use the bell in your photo or a factory cast iron bell like this one?

[mehoff400]

jealous!!!.. i'm in the market for a t-5 currently

[Mackie]

Not to hijack but while were on the subject of bell housings: I'm still running the iron bell with my T5 hanging out unsupported on the back end. I've read, from reliable sources, that the T5 will suffer no stress from this mounting and in fact mine has been this way for about 3 years in regular use even hauling loads and pulling trailers.
Besides the obvious issue of having to modify the E-brake mechanism, another thing that keeps me from making the change is wondering if cutting out the orig. bell housing cross member wouldn't compromise the frame design, although I know it's done all the time.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by Mackie

Not to hijack but while were on the subject of bell housings: I'm still running the iron bell with my T5 hanging out unsupported on the back end. I've read, from reliable sources, that the T5 will suffer no stress from this mounting and in fact mine has been this way for about 3 years in regular use even hauling loads and pulling trailers.
Besides the obvious issue of having to modify the E-brake mechanism, another thing that keeps me from making the change is wondering if cutting out the orig. bell housing cross member wouldn't compromise the frame design, although I know it's done all the time.

I'm certainly not an engineer. So my comments are not worth much when it comes to frame strength.

I agree that the original cross member for the cast iron bell is structurally important. I think the factory AT trucks with the Powerglide had a cross member at a different location on the frame.

People chop out the MT crossmember all the time when they install a 700R4 or other AT and then they just add a different cross member. This is stuff you already know, I'm sure. It seems worth noting that folks who do the 700R4 swap don't seem to have any issues later.

There are many opinions about the use of a tail stock cross member with the T5. I plan to add one but will run without it for at least a year. (I have spare T5s sitting around. Heehee.) In my opinion, any tail stock cross member added to a T5 must NOT restrcit torsional forces. The S10 and Camaro tail stock mount had only ONE bolt below the rubber bushing so the T5 could "twist" slightly if needed. I won't go into more detail here, Contact me by PM if you'd like to discuss this further.

Back on the OP topic, that T5 should service your 283ci well and you get to keep the cable speedo on the instrument cluster. Hooray for you! Nice!

[canadian_diesel1964]

Hey guys sorry been busy at work... I'd like to use the factory one if I can...my gear ratios I think are 2.78 to .63 ...I am going to just lower and space the E brake set up...seems easy to me! I think I will also install my own version of a cross member on the tail of the t5

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by canadian_diesel1964

Hey guys sorry been busy at work... I'd like to use the factory one if I can...my gear ratios I think are 2.78 to .63 ...I am going to just lower and space the E brake set up...seems easy to me! I think I will also install my own version of a cross member on the tail of the t5

Relocating the e-brake cross member below the lower frame rail is a nice mod. My exhaust hugs too close to the frame rail to make that work for me, so keep that in mind. Rerouting the exhaust would be a bummer.

[oldtrux]

Originally Posted by canadian_diesel1964

Hey guys sorry been busy at work... I'd like to use the factory one if I can...my gear ratios I think are 2.78 to .63 ...I am going to just lower and space the E brake set up...seems easy to me! I think I will also install my own version of a cross member on the tail of the t5

I think you might find that the .63 od will rev a little low on the highway!this is just my opinion!283's like to rev!there are calculators online to help you figure this out.when i rebuilt mine i changed the od gear to .73.i have 3.73's out back and will run about 2100 rpm @ 60 mph.depends on tire height as well!you can always just drive faster lol,or run in 4th gear if you have to.just something to look at......dan

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by oldtrux

I think you might find that the .63 od will rev a little low on the highway!this is just my opinion!283's like to rev!there are calculators online to help you figure this out.when i rebuilt mine i changed the od gear to .73.i have 3.73's out back and will run about 2100 rpm @ 60 mph.depends on tire height as well!you can always just drive faster lol,or run in 4th gear if you have to.just something to look at......dan

Oldtrux has given good advice. We need to help each other like that.
I'm of the opinion that a 0.63 OD will probably work well with a V8 engine, but not with a 230ci or 250ci. A 292ci might be able to run a 0.63 OD gear and still perform well.

Here is some data to chew on. I've chewed on it for a while. I tend to research everything. I love factual information.

These statistics are straight from GM Heritage Center documents for the 1988 Camaro.

1988 Camaro
The Camaros with a 350ci TPI engine never had a T5 from the factory. GM never produced them.

The 305ci V8 TPI (5.0L with a LB9 code) had 220HP at 4400 RPMs and came with 3.08 rear diff standard (optional 3.45 rear) and 5th gear was 0.63.
The 305ci V8 TBI (5.0L with a LO3 code) had 170 HP at 4000 RPMs and came with 3.08 rear diff standard and 5th gear 0.63.
The 173ci V6 MFI (2.8L with a LB8 code) had 139 HP at 4900 RPMs and came with a 3.42 rear diff standard and 5th gear 0.76.

Tire packages on the 1988 Camaro
P215/65/15 Standard = 26" tire diameter
P245/50/16 Optional = 25.6" tire diameter

1988 Camaro curb weight
2 door hatch = 2975 lb
2 door convertible = 3270 lb
2 door IROCK Z28 = 3149 lb
2 door IROCK Z28 convertible = 3272 lb

V8 Camaro highway RPMs
3.08 rear diff with a 26" tire and 0.63 OD gear at 65 MPH is 1630 RPMs
3.08 rear diff with a 26" tire and 0.63 OD gear at 70 MPH is 1755 RPMs

3.08 rear diff with a 25.6" tire and 0.63 OD gear at 65 MPH is 1655 RPMs
3.08 rear diff with a 25.6" tire and 0.63 OD gear at 70 MPH is 17.83 RPMs

A 1963-65 C10 short bed step side has a curb weight = 4100 lb
A common tire size for a 1963-66 C10 is 235/75/15 diameter = 28.9"
Another common size is 235/70/15 diameter = 28.0"
IMPORTANT 1963-66 trucks are about 1000 pounds heavier than the 1988 Camaro.
1963-66 C10 highway RPMs with a 3.73 rear
3.73 rear diff with a 28.8" tire NS 0.63 OD gear at 65 mph is 1776 RPMs
3.73 rear diff with a 28.8" tire NS 0.63 OD gear at 70 mph is 1912 RPMs

3.73 rear diff with a 28.0" tire NS 0.63 OD gear at 65 mph is 1833 RPMs
3.73 rear diff with a 28.0" tire NS 0.63 OD gear at 70 mph is 1974 RPMs

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

1988 Camaro
The Camaros with a 350ci TPI engine never had a T5 from the factory. GM never produced them.

That may be because they couldn't really handle the torque of a 350. Many were rated at only 230 lb/ft. I think the max was less than 300, and that was with a tall first gear (lower number).

[Mackie]

The side benefit to keeping the iron bell is use of the old style starter that mounts to the bell and not the engine block thereby avoiding the starter shimming pageant.

I miss the ratios from the S-10 T5 I first had. 1st gear was a little lower and I often treated it as a creeper gear, starting in 2nd unless loaded or on an up-slope. OD was right in the sweet spot RPM for my local highways. Now with the .63 5th I'm never getting to 2K revs even.
I'm thinking a 4.10 rear gear swap would help all around. Currently 3.73 and 28" tire.

[oldtrux]

Originally Posted by Mackie

The side benefit to keeping the iron bell is use of the old style starter that mounts to the bell and not the engine block thereby avoiding the starter shimming pageant.

I miss the ratios from the S-10 T5 I first had. 1st gear was a little lower and I often treated it as a creeper gear, starting in 2nd unless loaded or on an up-slope. OD was right in the sweet spot RPM for my local highways. Now with the .63 5th I'm never getting to 2K revs even.
I'm thinking a 4.10 rear gear swap would help all around. Currently 3.73 and 28" tire.

Do you have a 283 as well?

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by oldtrux

Do you have a 283 as well?

He has a 305 LT1.

[oldtrux]

I dont know where a 305 is happy on the highway,changing to 410's would set you at 1860 @ 60mph and 2015 @65 mph

[Mackie]

Originally Posted by oldtrux

I dont know where a 305 is happy on the highway,changing to 410's would set you at 1860 @ 60mph and 2015 @65 mph

The 5.0 is a long stroke, low rev engine so it has no trouble cruising flat road at 1500 (but it's all out of breath by about 45-4800). I'm looking for the best MPG for the typical driving I do. Sounds weird going to a 4.10 gear for mileage, I know, but I think I have better efficiency around 2K especially with the cam change.
A 283 might be happier at 2200.

[Johnny_Lamebridge]

Good score on the T5! You'll love it.

(X2) big thanx to Lugnutz65. His how-to's have helped me a bunch.

[TJ's Chevy]

My tremec has a .82 od and the truck has 3.73's with a 30 inch tire. I believe the other option was .64 but that was too much for me. Passing acceleration in 5th is enjoyable. lol 65-70 should be around 2300-2500 rpm.

[canadian_diesel1964]

All good info guys ...I can't wait to see how she works