T5 T-5 transmission to 235 inline or V8 with 10 spline the easy way

[Lugnutz65]

I hope my T5 section isn't confusing. LOL! If it is, then please send me a PM about it and I'll edit my T5 pages to help avoid further confusion.
When you go shopping for a T5, keep in mind that an S10 or S15 T5 from 1992 and earlier will be a non-world class with brass synchros. Only 1993 is both World class and Muncie case pattern. 1994 and up S10/S15 trucks will have a Ford pattern case.
Also remember 1988-1992 Camaro/Firebird T5s are WC. 1987 and earlier are NWC.
Try to find a T5 with a 5th gear that will be a good match for the rear diff gear and tire size. Otherwise the results may be disappointing.

1993 and up Camaro/Firebird T5s will have a Ford case pattern and probably not suit your needs.

Finally, contact me if you are having trouble finding what you need. I have successfully shipped all over the continental USA.

[Old Crow]

Not really that confusing, and a very good write up. Just more info than I was looking for when I first read it.
I was talking to the guy who runs my local yard, and he can search either by application('93 S-10)or by tag number. Since I won't be able to check the gearing before he orders it, I was hoping either you or Fisher had a tag number of a NWC trans with the .72 overdrive. Figure that's probably the best way to get what I want the first time.

[Lugnutz65]

This link has a pretty nice chart.
Borg Warner assigned a tag# for the first year the T5 was put into service, meaning that the chart might say 1990 but you might still find that same T5 and tag# in a 1991 or 1992 etc.

[Lugnutz65]

Here's a link to my website page where I show a complete slide show of the Jeep shaft swap.

S10 T5 Transmission Jeep Shaft Swap - DIY and skip the adapter plate

[notchbackgta]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

Here's a link to my website page where I show a complete slide show of the Jeep shaft swap.

S10 T5 Transmission Jeep Shaft Swap - DIY and skip the adapter plate

That's a link back to this tread

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by notchbackgta

That's a link back to this tread

My bad. THIS is the correct link.

[ljackson]

Will the T 5 fit under a low hump cab? I'm thinking about swapping out my 3 speed in my 64.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by ljackson

Will the T 5 fit under a low hump cab? I'm thinking about swapping out my 3 speed in my 64.

Absolutely! Here's proof. My 1965 C10 has a low hump. My original bell housing is still mounted on the original crossmember too. No floor modifications are needed. Just cut the hole in the floor at the right place.

[ljackson]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

Absolutely! Here's proof. My 1965 C10 has a low hump. My original bell housing is still mounted on the original crossmember too. No floor modifications are needed. Just cut the hole in the floor at the right place.

Thanks. I may be going with a '63 high hump or a '65 low hump depending on the cab I can get. My son hit a light pole with the '64. We had the frame and cab straightened but we are still having panel alignment problems.

[Divine 59]

What ramifications are there going from a SM-420 to a T5? I would imagine drive shaft is the main issue?

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by Divine 59

What ramifications are there going from a SM-420 to a T5? I would imagine drive shaft is the main issue?

You'll need to shorten the drive shaft. Get a new yoke. If you have an ebrake cross member, then you might need to remove it and convert to a 1966 and up C10 version or just move the ebrake cross member to beneath the lower flange of the frame. Obviously you'll need to cut a hole in the floor for the shifter.

[reichdav]

I know this is an old thread but here goes. Got a T5 from S10 without current knowledge. Must be from 4cyl. First gear with the 4.11 rear won't get across an intersection. OD not much better than 4th. Want to have trans shop put V6 gearing in this trans and go to 3.73 ring and pinion. Engine is 235. Comments?

[wolffcub]

What is the current tire size and rear ratio ?

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by reichdav

I know this is an old thread but here goes. Got a T5 from S10 without current knowledge. Must be from 4cyl. First gear with the 4.11 rear won't get across an intersection. OD not much better than 4th. Want to have trans shop put V6 gearing in this trans and go to 3.73 ring and pinion. Engine is 235. Comments?

If you have a non-world class S10 T5 tranny, you can look for a non-world class 5th gear set on eBay.

You have a choice. You can swap both the rear and the T5 gears . . . .
. . . . . . or you can just swap the rear.

For a 3.73 rear diff, you will want a 0.72 OD (5th gear set). Switching just the 5th gear set will require about 1.5 hours of work.

If your current T5 gear set (presumably from a 4cylinder S10) has a 4.03 first gear and a 0.86 5th gear, then a 3.08 rear will fix everything. To me, it makes perfect sense to just swap your rear to a 3.08 and be done with it. No need to change the T5 gearing if you swap to a 3.08 rear.

Here are the numbers for a T5 with your gearing matched with a 3.08 rear diff. For a daily driver, a nice performing drivetrain will have a final number between 9 and 12 for first gear and ideally between 2.6 and 2.8 for fifth gear.

Typical 4 cylinder S10 T5 gearing matched with a 3.08 rear diff.

First gear 4.03 X 3.08 = 12.41
Second gear 2.37 X 3.08 = 7.30
Third gear 1.49 X 3.08 = 4.59
Forth gear 1.00 X 3.08 = 3.08
Fifth gear 0.86 X 3.08 = 2.65


Typical 6 cylinder S10 T5 gearing matched with a 3.73 rear diff.

First gear 3.78 X 3.73 = 14.10
Second gear 2.18 X 3.73 = 8.13
Third gear 1.42 X 3.73 = 5.30
Forth gear 1.00 X 3.73 = 3.73
Fifth gear 0.72 X 3.73 = 2.68

[made2drag]

so I can find a v6 s10 t5 for my 67 c10 which currently has a 250 /3speed and it will basically be a bolt in swap other than a shorter driveshaft?? Just unbolt at back of bellhousing and bolt t5 to it and make new hole in floor?

[made2drag]

And according to the chart, anywhere from 1352-170 to 1352-209 are the gm world class options?

[made2drag]

Do I need a 4 cyl input for the straight six 250?

V6 input shaft is swappable to v8 if I find a t5 for a 350 in another truck I have?

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by made2drag

so I can find a v6 s10 t5 for my 67 c10 which currently has a 250 /3speed and it will basically be a bolt in swap other than a shorter driveshaft?? Just unbolt at back of bellhousing and bolt t5 to it and make new hole in floor?

You have several options.
First, make sure it has a Muncie pattern where it bolts to the bell (see photo).
The FORD pattern will NOT be a direct bolt on. For the S10 T5, they have a Muncie bolt pattern from 1993 and earlier. For the Camaro/Firebird, it's 1992 and earlier for the Muncie pattern.

Option#1. One way to go is to swap the S10 T5 input shaft for a Jeep T5 input shaft. Follow THESE DIRECTIONS and the T5 will bolt directly to your current bell and you can use the 10 spline clutch disc you already have. This is what I always recommend because it's a stronger shaft and it's cheaper than any other option.

Option#2. Just keep the S10 T5 input shaft and use an adapter plate (around $160). Then swap the clutch disc for a 14 spline clutch disc.

Option#3 Carefully lengthen the splines on the S10 input shaft. About 1/2" should be enough. Then trim the pilot tip of the input shaft. You will need to use a 14 spline clutch disc.

Option#4. Get a 14 spline clutch disc and grind out the back 1/4" of the clutch hub splines. That will allow the disc to travel along the S10 input shaft just a little bit more. No spacer plate needed.

Originally Posted by made2drag

And according to the chart, anywhere from 1352-170 to 1352-209 are the gm world class options?

1993 and earlier S10 T5 will have the correct Muncie bolt pattern.

Originally Posted by made2drag

Do I need a 4 cyl input for the straight six 250?

V6 input shaft is swappable to V8 if I find a T5 for a 350 in another truck I have?

An input shaft from a V8 Camaro T5 will NOT swap into any other T5. It only fits a V8 Camaro T5. If you have a T5 from a 4 cylinder car or truck, you just follow the options listed above.

Any T5 swap you make will require the following:
- Shortening the drive shaft
- possibly modifying the e-Brake setup you have.
- Trim the release bearing sleeve shorter.

FULL T5 SWAP LINK

You may find THIS PAGE on my website has interesting reading about the T5 swap in older GM trucks.

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

You have several options.
First, make sure it has a Muncie pattern where it bolts to the bell (see photo).
The FORD pattern will NOT be a direct bolt on. For the S10 T5, they have a Muncie bolt pattern from 1993 and earlier. For the Camaro/Firebird, it's 1992 and earlier for the Muncie pattern.

Option#1. One way to go is to swap the S10 T5 input shaft for a Jeep T5 input shaft. Follow THESE DIRECTIONS and the T5 will bolt directly to your current bell and you can use the 10 spline clutch disc you already have. This is what I always recommend because it's a stronger shaft and it's cheaper than any other option.

Option#2. Just keep the S10 T5 input shaft and use an adapter plate (around $160). Then swap the clutch disc for a 14 spline clutch disc.

Option#3 Carefully lengthen the splines on the S10 input shaft. About 1/2" should be enough. Then trim the pilot tip of the input shaft. You will need to use a 14 spline clutch disc.

Option#4. Get a 14 spline clutch disc and grind out the back 1/4" of the clutch hub splines. That will allow the disc to travel along the S10 input shaft just a little bit more. No spacer plate needed.



1993 and earlier S10 T5 will have the correct Muncie bolt pattern.



An input shaft from a V8 Camaro T5 will NOT swap into any other T5. It only fits a V8 Camaro T5. If you have a T5 from a 4 cylinder car or truck, you just follow the options listed above.

Any T5 swap you make will require the following:
- Shortening the drive shaft
- possibly modifying the e-Brake setup you have.
- Trim the release bearing sleeve shorter.

FULL T5 SWAP LINK

You may find THIS PAGE on my website has interesting reading about the T5 swap in older GM trucks.

thanks!!!! that helps!

[made2drag]

So I found a T5 out of a Camaro for $150. If I were to put buckets in my 67 c10, will it bolt right up to the original 250 with 3 speed combo bellhousing and engine?

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by made2drag

So I found a T5 out of a Camaro for $150. If I were to put buckets in my 67 c10, will it bolt right up to the original 250 with 3 speed combo bellhousing and engine?

And will the same Camaro t5 work in a 65 3 speed truck if and when I put a 79 350 in it? It has the 3 speed still in it and clutch linkage and all is still attached. Mechanical linkage and all work?

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

Absolutely! Here's proof. My 1965 C10 has a low hump. My original bell housing is still mounted on the original crossmember too. No floor modifications are needed. Just cut the hole in the floor at the right place.

Which 80's Camaro t5 will bolt right up to this setup? V6, V8? Is there a hydraulic swap or can all the 65 mechanical stuff just bolt up? I have a lot of driveshafts so I have that part covered and I can figure out e brake

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by made2drag

Which 80's Camaro t5 will bolt right up to this setup? V6, V8? Is there a hydraulic swap or can all the 65 mechanical stuff just bolt up? I have a lot of driveshafts so I have that part covered and I can figure out e brake

All V8 Camaro and Firebird T5s have a 26 spline input shaft, so you will need a 26 spline clutch disc.

All Camaro, Firebird, S10 and Sonoma T5s from 1992 and earlier have a Muncie bolt pattern where they bolt to the bell housing. Therefore, they can all be made to bolt up to a 1963-72 truck bell and still use the factory mechanical clutch linkage. I do not recommend using a Camaro or Firebird bell. It will be necessary to use a clutch disc with the correct number of splines.

A 1993 S10 or Sonoma T5 also has the correct Muncie pattern.

For a nice driving truck at highway speeds, it is very important to match the rear diff to the transmission overdrive gear. Otherwise the engine may tend to bog on hills.

[88Ironduke]

Can't wait to drive mine this weekend! The T5 is installed and I picked up the shortened drive shaft today! Getting the cross member out to clear the bell housing was a bit of challenge. Them rivets hang on for dear life, GM did a good job pounding them in. Probably faster to pull the engine and trans when I got all done. Thanks for insight into T5s Lugnuts65.

Paul

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by 88Ironduke

Can't wait to drive mine this weekend! The T5 is installed and I picked up the shortened drive shaft today! Getting the cross member out to clear the bell housing was a bit of challenge. Them rivets hang on for dear life, GM did a good job pounding them in. Probably faster to pull the engine and trans when I got all done. Thanks for insight into T5s Lugnuts65.

Paul

I'm happy to hear something I did helped. I'd love to see pics of the install. I know that the 1962 frame makes installing a T5 more challenging. I was thinking the 67-72 frame was pretty much the same as the 63-66 frame. Any tips to pass along?