Thinking about installing a T5?
READ THIS FIRST.
This page is for someone CONSIDERING installing a T5 transmission. Will a T5 work well with your Chevy engine and bell housing? Yes, probably. Here's a list of things to think about. Good planning can help avoid disappointment.
The Basics - Here's what you need for an older Chevy car or truck.
If you plan to keep a bench seat . . .
. . . you need a Muncie pattern bell housing with a 4+11/16" center bore. Use this adapter ring if you have the larger center bore hole.
. . . you can use a 1993 or earlier S10 T5 or an Astro T5 with a Muncie bolt pattern.
. . . you need to match the 5th gear to your rear differential gear or it may be a waste of time and money.
If you have bucket seats . . .
. . . you need a Muncie pattern bell housing with a 4+11/16" center bore. Use this adapter ring if you have the larger center bore hole.
. . . you can use a 1992 and earlier Camaro/Firebird T5 if there is room for the shifter handle to come up between the bucket seats. A 1993 or earlier S10 or Astro T5 will work with bucket seats too.
. . . you need to match the T5 5th gear to your rear differential gear or it may be a waste of time and money.
If you want a working cable driven speedometer . . .
. . . you can install a Camaro/Firebird T5 if you have bucket seats. All 1992 and earlier Camaro/Firebird T5s have a cable speedometer connection.
. . . you can install a 1988 or earlier S10 T5 if you have a bench seat. These S10 T5s are hard to find and very desireable because they have a cable speedometer connection.
. . . you need to match the T5 5th gear to your rear differential gear or it may be a waste of time and money.
. . . you can install a 1989-1993 S10 T5 with a VSS speedo output. Then buy a conversion device to make your cable speedometer work. The only 2 sources I know of are Dakota Digital ECD-100 and Cable-X.
If you want a bench seat AND a working cable driven speedometer . . .
. . . you need either
. . . a 1988 or earlier S10 T5. These S10 T5s are hard to find and very desireable because they have a cable speedometer connection.
. . . Or you can install
. . . a 1989-1993 S10 T5 with a VSS speedo output. Then buy a conversion device to make your cable speedometer work. The only 2 sources I know of are Dakota Digital ECD-100 and Cable-X.
. . . you need to match the T5 5th gear to your rear differential gear or it may be a waste of time and money.
If you plan to keep a bench seat . . .
. . . you need a Muncie pattern bell housing with a 4+11/16" center bore. Use this adapter ring if you have the larger center bore hole.
. . . you can use a 1993 or earlier S10 T5 or an Astro T5 with a Muncie bolt pattern.
. . . you need to match the 5th gear to your rear differential gear or it may be a waste of time and money.
If you have bucket seats . . .
. . . you need a Muncie pattern bell housing with a 4+11/16" center bore. Use this adapter ring if you have the larger center bore hole.
. . . you can use a 1992 and earlier Camaro/Firebird T5 if there is room for the shifter handle to come up between the bucket seats. A 1993 or earlier S10 or Astro T5 will work with bucket seats too.
. . . you need to match the T5 5th gear to your rear differential gear or it may be a waste of time and money.
If you want a working cable driven speedometer . . .
. . . you can install a Camaro/Firebird T5 if you have bucket seats. All 1992 and earlier Camaro/Firebird T5s have a cable speedometer connection.
. . . you can install a 1988 or earlier S10 T5 if you have a bench seat. These S10 T5s are hard to find and very desireable because they have a cable speedometer connection.
. . . you need to match the T5 5th gear to your rear differential gear or it may be a waste of time and money.
. . . you can install a 1989-1993 S10 T5 with a VSS speedo output. Then buy a conversion device to make your cable speedometer work. The only 2 sources I know of are Dakota Digital ECD-100 and Cable-X.
If you want a bench seat AND a working cable driven speedometer . . .
. . . you need either
. . . a 1988 or earlier S10 T5. These S10 T5s are hard to find and very desireable because they have a cable speedometer connection.
. . . Or you can install
. . . a 1989-1993 S10 T5 with a VSS speedo output. Then buy a conversion device to make your cable speedometer work. The only 2 sources I know of are Dakota Digital ECD-100 and Cable-X.
. . . you need to match the T5 5th gear to your rear differential gear or it may be a waste of time and money.
Installing a T5 might require doing some or all of the following.
Make sure your T5 will bolt up to the bell you have.
Make sure your T5 over drive gear is a good match for your rear differential.
Shorten the drive shaft.
Install new drive shaft u-joints and a new slip yoke.
Swap the T5 input shaft (optional for a V6 Camaro T5 and NOT required for a V8 Camaro T5).
Buy and install an adapter plate instead of swapping the input shaft.
Shorten the length of the bearing retainer sleeve.
Buy a new clutch disc (required if you install a T5 with either a 14 spline or 26 spline input shaft).
Relocate the e-brake linkage.
Buy a longer speedometer cable.
You might need to use a GPS or other method to calculate your speed. This happens when your T5 speedo output doesn't match your speedo gauge input (VSS versus cable speedo).
Make sure your T5 will bolt up to the bell you have.
Make sure your T5 over drive gear is a good match for your rear differential.
Shorten the drive shaft.
Install new drive shaft u-joints and a new slip yoke.
Swap the T5 input shaft (optional for a V6 Camaro T5 and NOT required for a V8 Camaro T5).
Buy and install an adapter plate instead of swapping the input shaft.
Shorten the length of the bearing retainer sleeve.
Buy a new clutch disc (required if you install a T5 with either a 14 spline or 26 spline input shaft).
Relocate the e-brake linkage.
Buy a longer speedometer cable.
You might need to use a GPS or other method to calculate your speed. This happens when your T5 speedo output doesn't match your speedo gauge input (VSS versus cable speedo).
**The following list pertains to Chevy engines and open drive lines.
1. You will need a GM bell with a Muncie bolt pattern where the transmission bolts on. These two pictures show the bolt pattern pretty well. The T5s with a Muncie pattern case are 1993 and earlier S10, S15 and Sonoma trucks and 1992 and earlier Camaro and Firebird T5s. If your GM bell housings has the larger 5.0625" center bore then you can buy an adapter ring to reduce the bore size down to the required 4 + 11/16".
2. If you have a good condition 1993 or earlier S10 T5 (Muncie pattern case), then you can make it bolt directly to the bell if you remove the S10 input shaft and install a Jeep T5 input shaft. Doing the Jeep swap will allow you to keep using a 10 spline clutch disc.
DIY Jeep input shaft swap instructions LINK HERE.
DIY Jeep input shaft swap instructions LINK HERE.
3. If you have a V6 Camaro T5, it will have a 14 spine input shaft. You can either perform a Jeep shaft swap (1st photo) or just keep the original 14 spline shaft (2nd photo). Either will work fine. If you swap to the Jeep shaft, then you can keep your 10 spline clutch disc. If you keep the original T5 input shaft (14 spline shaft in 2nd photo), then you need to trim off some of the pilot tip and switch to a 14 spline clutch disc. The V8 Camaro T5 has a 26 spline input shaft (3rd photo) and requires a 26 spline clutch disc.
4. You will experience poor performance if the T5 overdrive gear is not properly matched to the rear differential gear in your vehicle. Here are charts showing what I recommend.
Good gear combinations for an inline 6 engine
(listed in order of preference) 3.73 rear diff with 0.72, 0.73 or 0.76 overdrive 3.90 rear diff with 0.72, 0.73 or 0.76 overdrive 3.07 or 3.08 rear diff with 0.86 overdrive 3.42 rear diff with 0.76 or 0.86 overdrive 3.55 rear diff with 0.76 or 0.86 overdrive |
Good gear combinations for a V8 engine
(listed in order of preference) 3.73 rear diff with 0.72, 0.73 or 0.76 overdrive 3.90 rear diff with 0.72, 0.73, 0.76 or 0.63 overdrive 4.10 or 4.11 rear diff with a V8 T5 with a 0.63 overdrive 3.07 or 3.08 rear diff with 0.86 overdrive 3.42 rear diff with 0.76 or 0.86 overdrive 3.55 rear diff with 0.76 or 0.86 overdrive |
5. You will need a 27 spline slip yoke for your drive shaft. PROSHAFT LLC sells new yokes like the Turbo 350 slip yoke that uses the 1310 u-joints.
6. You will need to have your drive shaft shortened and new u-joints installed. Denny's Driveshafts has instructions on how to correctly measure the DS on their website.
7. You may need to modify or relocate your e-brake setup. If the e-brake mechanism is mounted to a frame cross member, then relocating the entire cross member beneath the lower flange of the frame (second photo) might help solve any interference issues.
8. If your original transmission was supported by a cross member, then you might need to fabricate a new cross member for your T5. If your bell housing is already supported by a cross member (see first photo in #9 below) then adding another cross member to support the T5 is optional.
9. You will need to cut a hole in the floor for the shifter.
10. The shifter handle will be in the center of the vehicle. Installing a short throw shifter base and a nice shift handle will make driving much more enjoyable. Some S10 trucks came with short throw shifters from the fatory.
CORE shifters has a nice selection to choose from.
CORE shifters has a nice selection to choose from.
11. Which T5 is right for you?
If you have a Muncie pattern bell . . .
. . . 1993 or earlier S10 T5 have a Muncie pattern case.
. . . 1992 or earlier Camaro/Firebird T5 have a Muncie pattern case.
. . . Some Astro and Safari van T5s have a Muncie pattern case.
If you have a bench seat . . .
. . . Get an S10 or Astro/Safari van T5 so the shifter clears the bench seat.
. . . Or get a Camaro/Firebird T5 and the needed S10 parts to convert it to the S10 shifter position.
If you have a bench seat AND want to keep a working cable speedometer . . .
. . . You need a 1988 or earlier S10 T5.
. . . Or you need the 1988 or earlier S10 case cover and tail housing so you can modify another T5.
If you have bucket seats . . .
. . . The Camaro/Firebird T5 will bring the shifter up between the seats.
. . . The Camaro/Firebird T5 will allow you to keep a cable speedo connection.
. . . It's easy to change the Camaro/Firebird T5 to a VSS speedo connection with a converter.
. . . The S10 and Astro/Safari T5s will work fine too. Your speedo connection options depend on which tail housing you have, VSS or cable style.
12. So you found a T5. Now what?
If you have an S10 T5 with a Muncie pattern case . . .
- The S10 T5 works well with a bench seat.
- The Astro van T5 also works with a bench seat.
- The V6 trucks usually have the nicest gear combinations.
**If you want BOTH a bench seat AND a working cable speedo, then you need a 1988 or earlier S10 T5.
- The 1988 and earlier S10 T5s have a cable speedo connection which makes them valuable and rare.
- The 1989-1992 S10 T5s have a VSS speedo connection. They're easier to find but you can't connect them to a cable speedometer. They work fine with electric speedo gauges.
** If your S10 T5 has a VSS output, you can spend some money on a device called CABLE-X that can be used to make your cable speedo work again. Dakota Digital also makes a device that converts a VSS speedo output to cable.
- The 1993 S10 T5 is a world class version T5 which is slightly nicer than the non-world class. It has a 0.72 overdrive and a VSS speedo connection. World class T5s are more expensive to rebuild.
- Any 1993 and earlier S10 T5 can be converted to a Jeep input shaft and made to bolt to a Muncie bell.
- Adapter plates are available for S10 T5s if you prefer to keep the 14 spline input shaft.
If you have a V6 Camaro T5 with a Muncie pattern case . . .
- All 1992 and earlier V6 Camaro/Firebird T5s have a cable speedo connection.
- The Camaro/Firebird shifter position is further back than the S10 T5. It only works well if there is room for the shifter handle to come up between the BUCKET seats.
- The shifter position is too far back to use with a BENCH seat. However, it can be modified to an S10 shift position if you have the S10 parts.
- The 1988-1992 Camaro/Firebird T5s are world class. World class T5s are more expensive to rebuild.
- 1987 and earlier are non-world class.
- No adapter plate is required, regardless of whether you do a Jeep shaft swap or not.
- No bearing retainer changes are needed. It's the correct length for most applications.
If you have a V8 Camaro T5 with a Muncie pattern case . . .
- All 1992 and earlier V8 Camaro/Firebird T5s have a cable speedo connection.
- First gear is 2.95 and it has close ratio gearing.
- The Camaro/Firebird shifter position is further back than the S10 T5. It only works well if there is room for the shifter handle to come up between the BUCKET seats.
- The shifter position is too far back to use with a BENCH seat. However, it can be modified to an S10 shift position if you have the S10 parts.
- The 1988-1992 Camaro/Firebird T5s are world class. World class T5s are more expensive to rebuild.
- 1987 and earlier are non-world class.
- The V8 Camaro/Firebird T5s will bolt right up to a Muncie bell for most applications.
- No bearing retainer changes are needed. It's the correct length for most applications.
- No adapter plate is needed.
- The Jeep shaft swap is NOT an option for the V8 Camaro/Firebird T5.
- The V8 T5 will require a 26 spline clutch disc.
- A V8 T5 with a 0.63 OD gear is not a good choice for a low HP engine.
- A V8 T5 with a 0.73 OD gear is more suitable for low HP applications.
If you have a Muncie pattern bell . . .
. . . 1993 or earlier S10 T5 have a Muncie pattern case.
. . . 1992 or earlier Camaro/Firebird T5 have a Muncie pattern case.
. . . Some Astro and Safari van T5s have a Muncie pattern case.
If you have a bench seat . . .
. . . Get an S10 or Astro/Safari van T5 so the shifter clears the bench seat.
. . . Or get a Camaro/Firebird T5 and the needed S10 parts to convert it to the S10 shifter position.
If you have a bench seat AND want to keep a working cable speedometer . . .
. . . You need a 1988 or earlier S10 T5.
. . . Or you need the 1988 or earlier S10 case cover and tail housing so you can modify another T5.
If you have bucket seats . . .
. . . The Camaro/Firebird T5 will bring the shifter up between the seats.
. . . The Camaro/Firebird T5 will allow you to keep a cable speedo connection.
. . . It's easy to change the Camaro/Firebird T5 to a VSS speedo connection with a converter.
. . . The S10 and Astro/Safari T5s will work fine too. Your speedo connection options depend on which tail housing you have, VSS or cable style.
12. So you found a T5. Now what?
If you have an S10 T5 with a Muncie pattern case . . .
- The S10 T5 works well with a bench seat.
- The Astro van T5 also works with a bench seat.
- The V6 trucks usually have the nicest gear combinations.
**If you want BOTH a bench seat AND a working cable speedo, then you need a 1988 or earlier S10 T5.
- The 1988 and earlier S10 T5s have a cable speedo connection which makes them valuable and rare.
- The 1989-1992 S10 T5s have a VSS speedo connection. They're easier to find but you can't connect them to a cable speedometer. They work fine with electric speedo gauges.
** If your S10 T5 has a VSS output, you can spend some money on a device called CABLE-X that can be used to make your cable speedo work again. Dakota Digital also makes a device that converts a VSS speedo output to cable.
- The 1993 S10 T5 is a world class version T5 which is slightly nicer than the non-world class. It has a 0.72 overdrive and a VSS speedo connection. World class T5s are more expensive to rebuild.
- Any 1993 and earlier S10 T5 can be converted to a Jeep input shaft and made to bolt to a Muncie bell.
- Adapter plates are available for S10 T5s if you prefer to keep the 14 spline input shaft.
If you have a V6 Camaro T5 with a Muncie pattern case . . .
- All 1992 and earlier V6 Camaro/Firebird T5s have a cable speedo connection.
- The Camaro/Firebird shifter position is further back than the S10 T5. It only works well if there is room for the shifter handle to come up between the BUCKET seats.
- The shifter position is too far back to use with a BENCH seat. However, it can be modified to an S10 shift position if you have the S10 parts.
- The 1988-1992 Camaro/Firebird T5s are world class. World class T5s are more expensive to rebuild.
- 1987 and earlier are non-world class.
- No adapter plate is required, regardless of whether you do a Jeep shaft swap or not.
- No bearing retainer changes are needed. It's the correct length for most applications.
If you have a V8 Camaro T5 with a Muncie pattern case . . .
- All 1992 and earlier V8 Camaro/Firebird T5s have a cable speedo connection.
- First gear is 2.95 and it has close ratio gearing.
- The Camaro/Firebird shifter position is further back than the S10 T5. It only works well if there is room for the shifter handle to come up between the BUCKET seats.
- The shifter position is too far back to use with a BENCH seat. However, it can be modified to an S10 shift position if you have the S10 parts.
- The 1988-1992 Camaro/Firebird T5s are world class. World class T5s are more expensive to rebuild.
- 1987 and earlier are non-world class.
- The V8 Camaro/Firebird T5s will bolt right up to a Muncie bell for most applications.
- No bearing retainer changes are needed. It's the correct length for most applications.
- No adapter plate is needed.
- The Jeep shaft swap is NOT an option for the V8 Camaro/Firebird T5.
- The V8 T5 will require a 26 spline clutch disc.
- A V8 T5 with a 0.63 OD gear is not a good choice for a low HP engine.
- A V8 T5 with a 0.73 OD gear is more suitable for low HP applications.