robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

Hey guys I have a question for a hyperthetical build I want to do in the future. So I'd like to do a 4.3 swap in another camaro and I was wondering (outside of the tail shaft) if a T5 from an S10 is the same as one from an F body? The reason I ask is s10 T5's are far more plentiful than F body ones. Any thoughts?

big gear head

No

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

Ok what's the difference?

big gear head

Input shaft, shifter location, speedometer drive location, gear ratios, strength...

jmd

iTrader: (4)

The ratios suck. Later ones went to Ford bolt pattern at the front of the case. The VSS used isn't directly compatible. Really, search here and google it for pictures. The hot ticket for a 4.3 woukd still be something close to what's.ideal for an L69; V8 ratios and 3.73, for.example.

Galaxie500XL

iTrader: (1)

It could work, but you need an F-body bell housing. I do agree, however, that the gear ratios are less than ideal. IIRC, 1st gear is around 4.03 for most of them, you'll be shifting into 2nd gear before you even get through an intersection..

midias

My brother has a 2001 4.3L jimmy with a T5 it feels super short ratio in first for towing.

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

Hmm ok then the S10 trans is less than ideal, so what would I have to do to convert a 2.8/3.1 T5 to work with a 4.3? Obviously the bell housing would be different. Would I have to swap out the input shaft for a 4.3/V8 one?

big gear head

You can't swap the input shaft because the gear ratios are different.

Formula 305

4.3 is the little brother to the 350... so you'd need to do the same thing as if you were mating the V6 trans to a V8, custom clutch, V8 bellhousing, etc.

Galaxie500XL

iTrader: (1)

Not necessarily. I have an F-body V-6 T5 in my '88 IROC...again, not ideal, but my son destroyed reverse in my car 4 days after I bought it, and funds were limited.

I'm not home right now, but Advanced Adapters sells a 10.5" clutch disc with a 14 spline..Jeep guys putting SBC's in their vehicles, and vintage flathead rodders using T-5s buy them. Allows for a much larger clutch other than the 9" S-10 clutch to be used.

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

So in order to use a 2.8 V6 trans I'd have to get a special 14 spline clutch and V8 bellhousing? Sounds simple enough

big gear head

Nope, the input shaft is too long and the front bearing retainer is too long.

Galaxie500XL

iTrader: (1)

Cutting the excess length from the end of the input shaft isn't terribly difficult...takes less than a minute with appropriate tools. But, yes, it CAN be done...

Galaxie500XL

iTrader: (1)

Here's my thread from last fall, installing a V6 T5 in my IROC.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tran...endations.html

It should answer most of your clutch questions. But, again I'll stress that 1st gear being what it is in the V6 T5 is annoying.

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

Thanks for the help, I know how annoying the V6 T5 is, my 89 is a 2.8 soon to be 3.4 T5/3:42 car. It can be a touch frustrating but I'm used to it now.

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

So after reading your thread, what all parts did you need to get? How much of the input shaft did you have to grind down?

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

Bump

Galaxie500XL

iTrader: (1)

I'm traveling for work in Alaska right now, Internet access is pretty spotty.

IIRC, the end of the input shaft needs 3/8 inch removed. Everything else, except the clutch disc is standard T5 V8 stuff.

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

Nice, so would i need the V8 shift fork or is the V6 one the same?

midias

They are different but a new V8 shift fork can be had on rock auto for less than $20. I got the "heavy duty" version it was made in Italy . Not sure it really matters but for the extra $2 I thought why not. Also picked up a new pivot stud there while I was at it.

big gear head

There is more to it than just cutting the end off of the input shaft. You also must cut the splines back and you must shorten the front bearing retainer.

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

How far do the splines need to be cut back? How much of the retainer must be trimmed?

jmd

iTrader: (4)

Not much. Just far enough for the inner race surface built into the main drive to have full engagement with the rollers or contact equivalent to its diameter into the bushing used. And then spline modification will be done sufficient to prevent interference with the piloting bearing. The the retainer needs to clear the parts of the clutch that could contact it. Or, just copy the dimensions for a V8 retainer. Happy measuring.

big gear head

Find a V8 or 4.3 T5 and measure it. You also might be able to measure a Muncie or BW 4 speed. It's been about 20 years since I did this and I can't remember. There is a 11 inch clutch that was used in some Astro vans that will work with the S10 input shaft splines.

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

Could I just swap to a V8 bearing retainer or is it splined as well?

midias

I believe you can but you will have to set up the end play in the preload again so you will need shims

big gear head

Yes, you can swap it, but there is a shim in the bearing retainer that must be swapped so that the bearing preload is correct. You can read how to do this in the T5 service manual that you can down load at Tremec's sight. http://www.tremec.com/anexos/TRSM-T5-0510-R1_173.pdf

cosmick

Normally, a lesser-number first gear gives a greater torque capacity, but T5s have weaker links. And the input shafts all neck down, so the V8 version is no stronger than any other.
The most desirable version GM ever offered, other than the versions behind 305s, had a 3.50:1 first, and a 0.78:1 fifth, but that can be changed to something closer to 0.70.

big gear head

I have to disagree with that. It's not the shaft size that makes one weaker than another. A T5 with the 2.95 first gear is stronger than a T5 with a 4.03 first gear due to the size of the input gear, not the shaft size. The input gear in a 4.03 transmission is much smaller than the input gear in a 2.95 transmission. A smaller gear has less contact area on the teeth than a larger gear. I've broke several T5 transmissions, and most of the time it was the input gear that broke. I've never seen the input shaft break in a T5. Maybe they do break and I just haven't seen it.

jmd

iTrader: (4)

Yep. The "necked down" section is still greater o.d. than the minor of the spline section, too.

The wobbly loose roller piloting bearings between the main drive and main shaft letting 3rd walk around is a bigger concern.