5 Speed Trans

[327power]

Could I pull a 5 speed out of say...an S10 or Camaro and bolt it onto my 81' C10 with minimal issues? I'd like to swap out my 3 speed What about a 4 speed? Thanks.

[Irish_Alley]

it will bolt right up but, will it hold up?

[327power]

I assume it would hold up. Especially if it was backing a V8. My 3 speeds gotta go.

[screamin86]

The 5pds trans from the 82-92 fbodys were not very strong the ones from 88+ were the world class and said to be a little stronger butthey do not like abuse.

[Captkaos]

If you are going to be driving it like say you mom, it would be fine.  If you are planning on driving it like your dad back in the 60's when gas was 25 cents a gallon, you will break it.  3rd is the first to go.

S10's never had a V8 in them, and the F-body cars didn't have a 350 in front of a 5 speed, if that tells you anything.  Fullsize pickups got a slightly stronger version of the NV3500, but...

If you want a bolt in your best bet is a TKO from someone like Keisler, but you are talking new.

[eventhorizon66]

You could also try to find a used T56.  But I don't think that would be a bolt in type deal.  I think the trans hump may need work, the crossmember could need to be moved back, and the driveshaft shortened.

[anesthes]

and the F-body cars didn't have a 350 in front of a 5 speed, if that tells you anything. 

The reason was emissions. For example, a corvette/camaro with a 350 could not be purchased for a number of years with a manual transmission in California. By the time the third gen camaros came around, GM couldn't meet the newer stricter federal emissions standards with a 350/manual combination. For Corvette owners, this would not be acceptable so the new 1984 Corvette was available with a 4+3 (7 total speeds) overdrive manual gearbox and fuel injection. When the 350 was re-introduced to the Fbody in 1985 (no 82, 83, 84 fbody got a 350) automatic was the only gearbox it could be had in.

In 1989, after issues with the 4+3 transmission, GM went to the ZF-6 6 speed gearbox on Corvette. In '93 when the LT1 was introduced to Fbody, with better fuel injection control, a 6 speed manual gearbox was again offered with a 350 engine. 305 was dropped.


I've run a world class T5 on the dragstrip for a number of years (2000-2004) on a 3640 lbs fbody, ran trap speeds of 119-120mph in the 1/4 mile. No failures.

I never missed a shift into third however.

-- Joe

[Captkaos]

Corvettes recieved the 4+3 transmission to meet EPA fuel mileage regulations, not emissions. There was an Oil Crisis in 1979.  They were basically Borg Warner Super T10 Transmissions designed by Doug Nash with an overdrive attached to it.

1983 Z28's with the HO motor with a whopping 190 hp were ONLY available with the Manual because of EPA MPG restrictions.  This is when the T5 was introduced, it was also the first year for the 700R4's in F-bodies.  (1982 Camaros used the BW 4 speeds.)  The next year the 700R4 was available with the HO because the OD helped meet the MPG restrictions.
 
Emissions are not effected by the type of transmission that is bolted to the engine, if that was the case you would have 2 different motors for each trans type. 

T5's were not rated to handle the amount of torque that a 350 was capable of over a long period of time and putting them in GT cars which were bound to be abused was not an option.  Testing by GM dictated that the 350TPI was to powerful for the T5.  302 Fords and 305 Chevrolets were breaking them often, which is why the WC model was introduced.  I worked on a few at the Ford dealership, we had at least 2 a week come in with problems back in 89-90.

In Canada, you could get a 350/5speed F-Body.

[327power]

Ok...so does anyone think I should keep my 3 speed? I've heard that the old cast iron 3 speeds are pretty bulletproof. Is that somewhat true? If thats the case, then I'll just buy a Hurst 3 speed floor shifter and rock and roll with that. I thought about throwing in a TH350, but I really don't want an automatic.

[zieg85]

What you have is a nicely geared trans.  The only other stock type option is a 4 speed OD which came in the 1/2 ton trucks RPO MY6.  Same length/output shaft is what you have however you would need a combo pattern bell housing if your truck doesn't have one already.  There is another recent thread with pictures of that bell housing.  If you want a standard 4 speed the older Muncie would work size wise however the input diameter is smaller I think so you would have to go with a bushing or car bell housing.  Going that route you have to be careful to get a M-20 version if your rear end gearing is more like a 3.08 or 3.42.  The M-21 have a close ratio and really need a 3.73 gear to get out of the hole without a lot of slipping the clutch.  I know from experience trying an M-21 with 3.08 gears.  It was like trying to start out in second gear.  All these mentioned are very close in case size and no drive shaft changes would be needed.

[Captkaos]

changing would depend on what your end goal would be.  What are you hoping to accomplish with the change?

[Layne]

S10's never had a V8 in them, and the F-body cars didn't have a 350 in front of a 5 speed, if that tells you anything. 

My 92 s-10 had an Iron Duke and a five speed and that blew up my trans.

[327power]

You really got me thinking about the durability of these tranmissions. You know, I might just keep the old 3 speed since I keep hearing that their pretty tough. The reason I'd like to have some more forward gears is because I know the 3's scream on the highway. I know this from experience because I used to have a 77' C10 longbed, 250/3 speed converted to floor shift. That thing sounded like it wanted to self destruct when I would cruise Route 95 heading to the NH seacoast. Kinda like a big bee flying around. BTW, somebody used a floor shift kit meant for a car so it was too low. Guess what I used for a shifter handle?...Visegrips!

[Layne]

I used to have a 77' C10 longbed, 250/3 speed

My truck?? Was it white? LOL. I hated my 3 on the tree. It was unique tho

[zieg85]

screaming on the highway won't change unless you get an overdrive trans or change the rear end.