Borg Warner T5;

[Zimme228]

What should be the top speed for a 230 - T5 combination? My truck came with a 3 on the tree, and to get overdrive, I adapted a Borg Warner T5 five-speed into the drive-line.

I am unsure about the rear-end gearing ratio, but it did come with a dealer tow-bumper, and somewhere along the line, picked up a posi-track. Still, if my truck had particularly low gearing, it should start rolling in first even at an idle, right?

I anticipated that it would start rolling with little effort, but actually I really have to give it the gas in first to get going.

I also expected to reach a top-end of around 70 mph, but from listening to the engine, I felt I was revved up enough already at 60 mph.

Thoughts / Comments?

Thank you. Have a good day.

[Heater63]

Depends not on the engine but on the version of the T5, (they didn't all have the same overdrive ratio), your rear gears, and tire size.

You have to know those components and do the math to calculate speed at different rpms.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by Zimme228

What should be the top speed for a 230 - T5 combination? My truck came with a 3 on the tree, and to get overdrive, I adapted a Borg Warner T5 five-speed into the drive-line.

I am unsure about the rear-end gearing ratio, but it did come with a dealer tow-bumper, and somewhere along the line, picked up a posi-track. Still, if my truck had particularly low gearing, it should start rolling in first even at an idle, right?

I anticipated that it would start rolling with little effort, but actually I really have to give it the gas in first to get going.

I also expected to reach a top-end of around 70 mph, but from listening to the engine, I felt I was revved up enough already at 60 mph.

Thoughts / Comments?

Thank you. Have a good day.

Hello, I specialize in adapting T5 transmissions for use in older Chevy trucks. Heater63 is correct, it's essential to know what rear diff you have and what tire size is (diameter) if we are going to get any real answers or solutions.
I suspect you have an S10 T5 with 4.03 first gear and that's why the truck barely gets moving before you need to shift. I hope you are not experiencing clutch slippage.
For top speed at 60MPH I also suspect you might have a 0.86 overdrive gear. It would be nice to know what your engine RPMs are at 60MPH.

[slorio]

Zimme
Also would be curious how you are measuring your speed? Likely your speedometer is way off using speedo gear in the T 5. Best way is to use GPS or speedo app on your smartphone.

Hope that helps.
Steve
New Orleans

[scoot_mcgrute]

My 292/T5 combo cruises no problem at 70 and will reach 95 MPH before it runs out of juice. I have a T5 from an S10 with what I believe is the 0.86:1 5th gear ratio and 235/75r15 tires.

I enjoy driving it for sure

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by Zimme228

Still, if my truck had particularly low gearing, it should start rolling in first even at an idle, right?

I anticipated that it would start rolling with little effort, but actually I really have to give it the gas in first to get going.

I also expected to reach a top-end of around 70 mph, but from listening to the engine, I felt I was revved up enough already at 60 mph.

Thoughts / Comments?

Thank you. Have a good day.

Nothing to do with your gearing or your tranny.
If it's struggling to get moving even with that combined first gear ratio then the problem is in your motor.
It has all to do with not enough timing. Your motor is fighting itself trying to run.

What's your initial timing?

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Nothing to do with your gearing or your tranny.
If it's struggling to get moving even with that combined first gear ratio then the problem is in your motor.
It has all to do with not enough timing. Your motor is fighting itself trying to run.

What's your initial timing?

I'm not sure I'm following your logic here geezer#99, but I will follow along. If timing isn't set properly, then I would expect poor acceleration and less power to pull hills.

If I understand the OP, he has to get the RPMs fairly high to get the truck rolling - which makes me think the clutch disc is slipping. If the clutch and flywheel are working properly, the truck should move even at low RPMs (1000 - 1200) no matter what the timing is (within reason).

[geezer#99]

If the motor has no power due to a lack of timing it won't pull the truck even off idle in first. With that gear combo in first (likely close to 12 to 1) you should be able to side step the clutch and not kill the motor and it should just idle along.
With retarded timing the motor isn't making enough power to accelerate without struggling.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

If the motor has no power due to a lack of timing it won't pull the truck even off idle in first. With that gear combo in first (likely close to 12 to 1) you should be able to side step the clutch and not kill the motor and it should just idle along.
With retarded timing the motor isn't making enough power to accelerate without struggling.

I see what you are saying, but I still think his clutch is slipping.

[geezer#99]

Nah!!
If he really needs to give it gas in first to get going, the rpm would overpower the clutch if it was slipping. He'd be sitting there smelling the clutch going nowhere.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Nah!!
If he really needs to give it gas in first to get going, the rpm would overpower the clutch if it was slipping. He'd be sitting there smelling the clutch going nowhere.

I think I'm losing this debate! LOL! I hope the OP adds some more info.

[vince1]

Bottom line is the ponies are kind of small but I agree with geezer, get as much out of the engine as you can. It will run better with HEI ignition and maybe more advance.

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

I think I'm losing this debate! LOL! I hope the OP adds some more info.

Simply do your own experiment.
Check your timing, remember what it is, and then adjust it to zero.
Test drive.
You will see what I mean.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Simply do your own experiment.
Check your timing, remember what it is, and then adjust it to zero.
Test drive.
You will see what I mean.

Well, I wasn't gonna bring this up, but I already did that test. Sorta.
When I installed a fresh 230ci, I mistakenly had my initial timing advanced over 30. Yep. Over 30. Lacked power at higher RPMs. BUT . . . . I didn't have any problem with getting it moving, or driving 70 MPH. Noticed poor acceleration and not very peppy.

My thinking is this - 1500 RPMs at the flywheel (bad timing or not) is still 1500 RPMs. Sure, it may lack power and not want to move without trying to stall under a load. But the OP sounded like the truck just wasn't moving AT ALL until the RPMs were very high.

Please don't think of me as argumentative. I'm not convinced of anything at this point.
Maybe it's just me and how I am interpreting his original post. I'm here to learn, contribute when I can. It also helps me.

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

Well, I wasn't gonna bring this up, but I already did that test. Sorta.
When I installed a fresh 230ci, I mistakenly had my initial timing advanced over 30. Yep. Over 30. Lacked power at higher RPMs. BUT . . . . I didn't have any problem with getting it moving, or driving 70 MPH. Noticed poor acceleration and not very peppy.

My thinking is this - 1500 RPMs at the flywheel (bad timing or not) is still 1500 RPMs. Sure, it may lack power and not want to move without trying to stall under a load. But the OP sounded like the truck just wasn't moving AT ALL until the RPMs were very high.

Please don't think of me as argumentative. I'm not convinced of anything at this point.
Maybe it's just me and how I am interpreting his original post. I'm here to learn, contribute when I can. It also helps me.

Advancing it is nowhere near the same effect as retarding the timing.
Why don't you test it first hand and let us know?

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Advancing it is nowhere near the same effect as retarding the timing.
Why don't you test it first hand and let us know?

I completely agree. It's not the same as retarded timing. Which is why I never really thought it worth mentioning earlier.
I would be happy to test mine but it's on jack stands undergoing power steering upgrade, disc brakes, etc.
I sure wish the OP would add jump back in and add info.

[vince1]

Probably most people that have had a worn out clutch will tell you that they first show symptoms in high gear, not first gear.

[Zimme228]

Good evening, and a happy Thanksgiving to each of you and your families.

Please overlook my delay in adding more info here. I'm a senior pre-med student facing finals and research project presentations.. and so on.

As for my believed speed, my roommate was following me on the highway and said I was doing 60. I don't have any speedometer, as my dash gauge is mechanical and the S10 T5 (1991) has an electronic pick up or sensor.

[Zimme228]

My truck has a new 11 inch clutch and a new 11 inch, 14 spline pressure plate. I don't think it was slipping.

[geezer#99]

And your initial timing is???

[Zimme228]

About the initial timing, I am unsure. How do I check it? If the only way is with a timing light, I don't own one.

[Zimme228]

It was necessary to replace the rims so I went with 15x8 rally wheels. I forget exactly what size tires are on them, but believe that they are 255 r60 x 15.. and if I remember correctly, are about 27 inches tall.

[Backpayne]

For a timing light find a Harbor Freight. I bought one from there and it seems to work great. Setting timing was much easier than I thought; I just had to watch a couple of youtube videos.

[geezer#99]

Like this one.
It's for a sbc but the principals are the same.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYGU7mTwsZc

[Lugnutz65]

I confirmed that a 255/60R15 is indeed a 27" in diameter using another web site.
I use THIS LINK to calculate engine RPMs.

So when you were doing 60 MPH your RPMs were as follows depending on what rear diff you have.

If your 5th gear is 0.86 then:
3.08 rear diff = 1978 RPMs
3.42 rear diff = 2196
3.73 rear diff = 2395
4.10 rear diff = 2633

with the 0.72 5th gear then:
3.08 rear diff = 1656 RPMs
3.42 rear diff = 1839
3.73 rear diff = 2005
4.10 rear diff = 2204

So none I what I say next is fact of course. I'm thinking that you have the 0.86 fifth gear and a 4.10 rear gear. Possibly a 3.73 rear. Those are the only numbers that get your RPMs high enough.

Most T5s with a 0.86 overdrive have a 4.03 first gear. So using the same RPM calculator as before, your first gear or 4.03 combined with a 4.10 rear would mean that at 15MPH you would have 3084 RPMs and that would make you want to shift. Again, this is all an assumption.
With a 4.03 first gear and a low rear end, the truck should begin to roll with barely any pedal but you will find yourself needing to shift rather quickly.

Is that what you experience? Your original post sounded like the truck wouldn't move AT ALL unless you really gave it a lot of gas. It's sounding more and more like you have a lack of engine power.