T5 behind larger vehicle

[DeepRoots]

just that.... will a T5 stand up behind a 4,000-4,500lb vehicle?

I see dozens of them for sale locally for dirt cheap, and it got me thinking.

Thanks
Drew

[Bob Parmenter]

I'd worry about engine torque rating before vehicle weight.
Presumably you're going with an overdrive trans because you'd plan to use a lower ratio rear end which would make getting the heavier mass moving easier. There are lots of T5 variants, the stronger versions being identified as World Class (WC), the "weaker" being the Non World Class (NWC).

[DeepRoots]

right on Bob... you gave me something new to google (WC)

I always worry about torque as I tend to make an engine more powerful as a decade passes.

[1gary]

I did consider a T5 conversion for my 1985 Ole Yellar Astro van project.Those van's wt are near or over 4,000 lbs.The 85's did come stock with a 4.3 T5 and although somewhat rare to find,they are out there.Well I talked it over with a tranny shop that I have known for yrs and trust.Toni the owner of the shop told me that tranny is one of the weakest trannies GM ever built.I asked him what about the WC ones.So Toni waked me back to the shop and showed me a 55 gallon drum filled with WC and NWC broken parts that he had fixed.

I am apart of a Astro forum too and there awhile ago we had a member go threw to build the ultra T5.He changed out to many of the WC parts and aftermarket heavy duty parts because he has a 383 in the van.Trust me he had big$$$$$$$$$$$ money into that.

[Bob Parmenter]

With all due respect to your trans guy (and not trying to start a whizzing contest), tearing down the T5 isn't the point. It's all about proper application, thus why I commented on torque rating. For every T5 that has failed there are probably hundreds, likely thousands, that have worked great. And they weren't just in GMs, but also in Fords, Jeeps, and probably others. Again, match the right part to the job.

The 383 guy made a bad choice to start with, he should have gone with a larger Tremec that could handle the probable 400+ ft. lbs. of torque he was generating. The WC V8 T5's are rated for around 300 ft. lbs. Placed behind the right engine, with the proper gearing, they're a readily available, comparatively cheap, dependable transmission, especially if someone is going after the O/D for mileage reasons in addition to more flexibility in rear gear choices.

[1gary]

Yepper,I had a T5 in my Aerostar van.I liked it a lot in fact.The clutch was starting to go when I sold it and fully intended to convert my Astro,but those torque figures are a bit low even for a 350.With me going 383,maybe you could explain more fully for the O/P and me to understand better.I would be going with 3.70's Ford 9".I am always open to new ideas that would increase my towing ability and reliability.Don't mind shifting if it would include cruse control.This is a TBI engine.Sorry,I don't mean to jack this thread.Just peaked my interest again in a stick shift.

[Bob Parmenter]

First off, we have a member here, Mike Forte, who's a transmission guru (see his banner ads as well). He'd probably be a much better resource than me for info. But then there's the search engine on your computer. Look up Tremec TKO. These are readily available both new and recycled, if you're patient you can hunt down a deal. They're 5 speed, have three options for shifter location (fore and aft), and are well proven. Again they're available in various configurations up to at least 600# torque rating. To my feel they're a bit notchy on the shifting, so might not be the best for drag racing, but that doesn't sound like what you intend. Another trans from Tremec is the T56, six speed, two overdrive gears if I remember correctly. The prices on these are a bit higher because of demand and the limited number of cars they come in. But it's another option. Personally, if I were going for towing I'd stick with an auto, but then I'm a lazy old man. I don't mind shifting in the rods, but in my truck I'd rather sit back and enjoy the ride.

[1gary]

Might seem a bit weird,but I do think over time,stick shifted engines last longer because of the nature of the one to one connection driving the vehicle over having a slipping torque converter.Might be just a concept in my mind only,but seems to make sense.........

[DeepRoots]

well aware of Mr Forte. He is truly a resource to this board.

installed by me, a TKO would be $3k +.
my point was that locally T5, T-3550 w/ bell, clutch, pressure plate, slave, shifter, etc was running $800-$900.

If I was looking to go auto, yes, I could find a c4/c6 at the junkyard and rebuild it...

[Biff]

I have a WC t5 in my 34 Ford. 383, 3.42 gears. I modified the countershaft with a stronger bearing with a preload. I don't do drag race starts or powershift, but I lean on it every time I take the car out. No problems since 2003. I know they are not the strongest, but for my uses, it has been great. The quiet, smooth shifting make it a good choice for me.

[18436572]

I put a T-5 in my 68 Chevy pickup behind a stout 327 with 3.43 posi in the rear. It lasted 3 years and I stood on it regularly. It is a very smooth shifting manual tranny. As soon a some slop developed in it I twisted off the 5th driven gear. Total rebuild by a tranny shop in Memphis. Didn't last 6 months. They rebuilt it and it broke inside 6 weeks. I went with a Tremec TKO 600, direct replacement. I have 12,000 miles on it and have done parking lot burnouts to the max. This tranny is bullet proof! It is not as smooth shifting as the T-5 but I will take the longevity anytime.

[DeepRoots]

thanks, that was what I wanted to hear.