RedRoc Z

Hey there, I have a 350 swapped 86 z with the 700r4 on its way out(I think &#129300 and I found a complete t5 swap from hawks motor sports and I was wondering if it’s trustworthy. I’m not rich and it’s my daily driver, so I don’t want to be in and out of every shop on the east coast with a $0.00 bank balance. I ask if you do not recommend Hawks that you might give me your insight or personal experience. Thx for your time I will attempt to attach link. https://www.hawksmotorsports.com/82-92-camaro-firebird-t-5-v8-5-speed-conversion-kit/

Firechicken82

Hawks is usually pretty good to deal with. That kit is pretty complete but used parts. Hydros are probably pretty old and the trans may be questionable. I'd ask them how well the check that stuff. I don't know how easy it will be to price together a setup for less. I'd also look into shipping. I have an 83 t5 and all the mech clutch stuff I'm gonna put up for sale. It's all in great shape but it's not ideal for your car. I'd probably jump on the hawks stuff. It's complete. I'd put a new clutch in while you're there.

RedRoc Z

thx for the info man I appreciate the expertise

OrangeBird

iTrader: (1)

As you may or may not know, there are two versions of the T5 that will fit our cars. The version you want, which is the one used in the later year cars, goes by the sappy corporate buzzword "World Class".

I would make damned sure I was getting the "World Class" unit, if I were considering this swap........

RedRoc Z

thanks man I saw that they had the world class option for like 300 more so I’ll probably go with that then.

Aaron R.

If this is true you should NOT attempt to swap like this or waste money on any "mods". You will be money ahead and more sure of a dependable driving car for the future by just paying a reputable shop to rebuild your automatic. OR you can forge ahead and see your third gen join the millions of others rotting away in a yard from some half finished project that didnt go as expected....

RedRoc Z

Good to know. Thanks for the insite, I definitely know it’s a big job but I’ve seen others do it in a day.

Firechicken82

When I did my car, I had all the parts and swapped it over in a weekend. It's wasn't that bad. If you have all of the stuff you should be good. The brake pedal swap is a pain and probably the most miserable part. You can swap that stuff prior to the trans. You can swap the pedals and get the clutch master all set while it's still an auto. That way all you need to do is pull the trans/flex plate. Cut the floor and deal w the wires. Then put the manual stuff in. It's pretty easy.

RedRoc Z

that sounds good. From what I’ve heard the pedal stuff makes the transmission seem easy so I might do as you said and get the pedals done first. Thx for the advice

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

This is how I did mine as well, spread the work out, took my time, and it was fine. With this being your daily driver you may not have that option but if you do - great!

As for the world class vs non-world class, the differences are negligible. My non-world class is doing just fine behind my 400+ hp small block.

Firechicken82

I kind of agree w the normal t5 holding up but I have no experience w the world class version. I had mine behind a zz4 for a while. It held up well. I'm sure if you beat the hell out of it it will fail. I'd just make sure what ever trans you get is solid.

I'd make sure the cross member to frame bolts are able to be loosened with out breaking. If they're rusted and you need to deal w that or tue nuts loosing up inside the frame it's better to deal with prior to the swap. This way you have less down time.

BovineZro

iTrader: (11)

I've had good experience with Hawk's but I would be prepared to replace at least some of the stuff they send with the swap kit.

I bought their T56 swap kit awhile ago, similar idea as the T5 kit in that it's mostly used components. Since they advertise the clutch and flywheel as used, I reached out and asked if they'd knock a few bucks off the price and shipping to leave those parts out, which they were willing to do. Took a gamble on the hydraulics, but you may want to purchase those new as well. I also bought new high-quality flywheel bolts (you do NOT want those shearing off). They were able to confirm the year of the transmission and give me a bit of info about the donor car, which was apparently totaled in a t-bone collision.

If you follow my route, you're looking at the cost of the kit, plus the cost of (at least) the clutch, flywheel, hydraulics, and flywheel bolts. That adds substantially to that $1500 price tag. You might reach out to the person who put up this thread, I just dealt with them for the Astro steering shaft and they were great (note that this is supposedly from an 85 and therefore NOT a WC T5): https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...wap-astro.html

With all that being said, if this is your daily driver I agree with the other folks who have said to hold off. It took me nearly a week to complete my swap as a first-timer.

Dthrash89

Would you be able to provide a link for the flywheel/clutch/bolts? Looking at doing this swap myself

BovineZro

iTrader: (11)

I bought everything through Amazon, which I no longer use (90% of the parts on Amazon these days are imitation junk, and I got tired of filing credit card disputes). Sadly this means I no longer have access to my order history to find part numbers, but I can try to help. Big disclaimers - I mated a fourth gen "LT1" T56 to a "Vortec" L31 engine. The "LS1" T56s and other variations of the non-LS SBC engines (I believe anything pre-86) have different requirements. Also, I'm going off memory here, I did all of this about five years ago.

Bolts are all ARP, I wouldn't use anything less for something on the drivetrain. Again, those are really not bolts you want to fail (unless you don't like your legs for some reason). I believe you want the bolts for a third gen application, but I may be wrong.

I went with LUK for the clutch and flywheel. You'll want the clutch and flywheel for a fourth gen Camaro/Firebird, not the third gen (since third gens only came with the T5).

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

ARP 200-2807 for flywheel bolts (1 pc rear main seal)

ARP 130-2201 for pressure plate bolts (I think).

These are both best guesses at this point because I lost my sheet with all the part numbers that I used.