RoPoppy

I have a 1983 Camaro Berlinetta with 380,000 miles on original tranny. I need to rebuild? Or replace? and am having a hard time making sure I get this right. I have a manual 5-speed AND a 5.0L V-8 305. I don't have the tranny out and every time I go to try to get rebuild kit or find replacement I am told it won't fit with the information I have provided. I've been told three different transmissions are the correct one. I am not a mechanic car person, but need to put her back on the road as my daily driver after sitting for the past 20 years, and finances are tight so I can't afford to get this wrong. TIA

Whitebird75

Wait, finances are tight, but you want to daily drive a classic car? To put it in perspective, daily driving a 1983 Camaro in 2021 is similar to daily driving a 1969 Camaro in 2009. These cars are not cheap to keep going after 40 years, especially after being off the road for 20 years. I'm all for these cars being driven, but at this point, they are far from as reliable as a newer A-to-B commuter car.

wlink14

Only way to be sure is to either get under your car and get some casting numbers off the side of the transmission, or decode you VIN number. But on a 40 year old car, the transmission may not be original. In other words jack up the car and get the numbers off the side of the trans if you want to be sure. If its a 5 speed its most likely a T5, but there are several types of T5's to my understanding.

RoPoppy

Thank you for your helpful suggestions. I hear what you are saying. My other option is replacing tranny on my 4wd 1998 suburban, which was a special order (3500 suspension and tow package 2500 with 454) that I bought second hand about 6 years ago. It had 380,000 miles when tranny went out. I drive 100+ miles a day for work and these are my two options.

RoPoppy

Thank you. It should be original if the shop that rebuilt it actually did so and didn't just drop a new one. Long story involving shop pulling wrong pin when filling the transmission fluid. Thank you for the idea where to go. I keep hearing that there are dif T5s which is the issue. Apparently the Berlinetta with 5 speed and 305 is not common.