T5 manual trans

[tysouthwick]

My brother in law gave me a t5 overdrive trans out s10 and was planing to mate it to my 230 flatty, and I was wondering if any one has done this swap who could shed me some information about it

[DanOlson]

I did the T5 swap last winter in my B-4-C. I documented the project on my website. I'd be happy to provide any details.

Dan

[tysouthwick]

would i have to use adapter plates or should i drill in to the bell housing or???

[DanOlson]

There are too many variables to give a fit-all answer. The T5 was configured in well over 200 varations so it depends on your unique situation. In my case, putting in a T5 from a 86 Chevy S10 into my 53 B-4-C, involved drilling and tapping 4 holes in the bell housing, two of which had to be plugged prior. My input shaft was too short to use an adapter plate of any kind. I would recommend getting Tom Langdon's adapter kit that includes the pilot bushing, clutch release bearing carrier bushing, and a ring to take up space between the front bearing cover and the bellhousing.

[Young Ed]

Here is Langdons adapter kit that Dan mentioned.

[Young Ed]

I've been working on a T5 swap myself but its not back in a vehicle yet. I put the spacer ring on the T5 and then stood the trans on top of the bellhousing on a workbench. I used a set of transfer punches to mark the 4 holes. Then with a drill press and a level I started drilling. If I remember correctly I used a 3/8s drill and tapped for 5/8s thread. I started with a 3spd bellhousing which saved me from Dans issue of having to plug holes before drilling new ones.

[1937 Dodge]

I used the same kit as Dan and Ed. My bell housing was like Ed's so I also did not have to plug any holes. Check out the first gear ratio on your S10. If it came from a 4 cylinder engine and you have a low (numerically high) rear end, first gear could come up a little short. Other than that, you will love putting your truck into 5th overdrive and say goodbye to double clutching.

[tysouthwick]

The trans that is in my truck is just the original 4 speed does this change any thing when i am drilling holes or does it even mater? and I believe the t5 came out of an 92 s10 with a 4.3 v6

[Young Ed]

What you may discover as Dan mentioned is some of the holes from the 4spd overlapping with the new ones you need for the 5spd. This would require filling them in before redrilling and then you wouldnt be able to switch back.

[DanOlson]

What model truck is the T5 going into? I'm not well versed in what bellhousing went with which motor/tranny in which model. The first four gears in mine is much better than I expected. I have to have a pretty good head-o-steam on before my 218 will pull 5th gear.

[Young Ed]

Dan what rear end ratio and tire size do you have with your 5spd?

[DanOlson]

3:50 for the rear-end. I've sorta run out of 'project' monies right now so the radials are on hold. I think I've got 710-15.

Did you make it to Farmington last weekend? I rode the bike, got wet, met Mike from Hastings with the 1 ton, got wetter.

[Young Ed]

Nope I didn't make it. After 9 days of honeymoon in the P15 I was kinda ready for a weekend at home. And the waterpump is out of my plymouth now too. Hopefully that will get fixed tomorrow or saturday morning. Then weather permitting I'll be at hastings.

[Dave72dt]

What model truck is the T5 going into? I'm not well versed in what bellhousing went with which motor/tranny in which model. The first four gears in mine is much better than I expected. I have to have a pretty good head-o-steam on before my 218 will pull 5th gear.

Calculting the 3.5 rear diff with a common .76 OD ratio you end up with somewhere around 2.8 for a final ratio. No wonder you need a head of steam! These swaps were most effective on 3.90, 4.11 or higher ratios making them livable on freeways with final ratios around 3.00.

[Young Ed]

Wow I'm glad I asked. I was planning on going 3.23 or 3.55 ratio in my project. Now I'm thinking maybe I should go a little higher to a 3.73ish range. I believe Don C runs a 3.23ish in his car but he's got a little more CI then 218.

[Don Coatney]

Wow I'm glad I asked. I was planning on going 3.23 or 3.55 ratio in my project. Now I'm thinking maybe I should go a little higher to a 3.73ish range. I believe Don C runs a 3.23ish in his car but he's got a little more CI then 218.

I have a 3.55/1 differential in my car. My engine is 255 cubes.

[Young Ed]

So 255 vs 218 that leads me back to a 3.73 or even a 3.90. Dads 50 and 51 plymouth with factory OD both run 3.90s and they work out great. While I'd have 5 gears instead of 3 the end result should be about the same.

[tysouthwick]

well the t5 is going in to a 1949 half ton pick up but i dont know what the differential ratios the only thing i know about it is that it is an 8 3/4 axle

[tysouthwick]

Another question is what do i fill the holes with?

[tysouthwick]

I have a 4WD Mitsubishi mighty max axle (that came with a 2.3 4cyl) It is geared in the middle so its not high or low that I could put on my b1b. Would that be better for the T5 or my original 8 3/4 which i would imagine that is geared low?

[Dave72dt]

well the t5 is going in to a 1949 half ton pick up but i dont know what the differential ratios the only thing i know about it is that it is an 8 3/4 axle

A '52 1/2 ton came with 4.1 gears standard with 3.73 and 4.56 as optional. The T5 should make be a welcome change for highway cruising with any of ratios. I don't think I'd want to go lower than 3.73s without some kind of increase in hp/torque. Find out what the gear ratio is on that other axle. If it's around 3.0 to 3.5 you might consider swapping the axle insteadofd the trans.

[tysouthwick]

ok i found out what my trucks ratio is. It is 3.73 would i have to REALLY have to have my RPMs up to shift in to 5th or would it be like shifting normally like the truck came stock with a T5?

[Merle Coggins]

Is there something wrong with your original trans? Have you tried to drive it in it's original configuration yet? I have 3.73 gears in my truck and I cruise on down the highway at 65 - 70 MPH without any issues. I have a 3/4 ton truck (B-2-C) with 235-75R15 tires, 4 speed trans, and a rebuilt original 218 CID flattie.

Merle

[Don Coatney]

Another question is what do i fill the holes with?

Not sure what holes you are talking about? If it is the unused original transmission holes there is no need to fill them. The bell housing on my car is vented and I would imagine the truck bellhousing is also vented.

[Don Coatney]

I have 3.73 gears in my truck and I cruise on down the highway at 65 - 70 MPH without any issues.

Merle

Merle;

At what RPM? With my 3.55/1 differential my engine is spinning around 2200 RPM's at 70MPH in overdrive.

For a speed calculator follow this link to the Tod Fitch web page.

http://www.ply33.com/Misc/speed