Dan_W

Just as the title says... has anyone here used a T-5 on an LSX?

I can already see the flames comming... and before you start; yes, I understand the limitations of a T5.

SurlyJoe

t-5 or 5 speed? I have a tko600 behind mine. can't imagine a t5 would live long, maybe in a light enough car.

73 nova guy

iTrader: (8)

i was going to run a t5 behind my sbc and i was told by a trans shop any thing over 350hp there not going to last.

6.0Nova?

In the mustang world, we can use an Astro Performance gear set and shafts, along with a billet countergear stabilizer, and "Cobra" front bearing retainer to get T5s to stand ~500hp+ on slicks. The chief limitations with one of the built T5s like that is that it's a synchro setup, but Astro and Gforce offer dog ring setups as well. With a built-to-the-gills T5, it will handle quite a bit of HP, so much so the T5 case becomes the biggest weak link.

I think either Astro or Gforce makes these parts for F-body T5s, so it's not strictly a Ford thing, but speaking of F-body T5s, they aren't all that strong, a 5.0 Mustang T5 is stronger, and even those have a reputation for shitting themselves if you don't do some mods to them.

Moral of the story is that you can make a T5 live.

bczee

iTrader: (12)

It is possible to run a T-5, and as long as you drive it on the easy side, it might last for a while. Considering that the T-5 has a TQ rating of less than 230 Ft Lb and if it is a WC model, then it might be lose to 300 ft lbs of TQ.

So I would suggest using one of the TKO's.

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

I see a T5 grenading with minor bolt-ons on a LS1.

Dan_W

I'm considering the T5.
It's a light car... 2400lbs dry.
Heres an example of how much power a built T5 can handle:
http://www.gforcetransmissions.com/tran_gt-5.asp
600hp & 500ft/lbs in a 3300lb car.
I'd only need relatively minor mods at my weight and power levels.

Anyway...
I'm considering the 3rd gen camaro case/bellhousing.

Will a 168 tooth flywheel fit in the stock bellhousing and will the starter work with the stock bellhousing?
I found a part number for 168 tooth that might fit the bill if it fits:
GM 12561680

If not, is there a 153 tooth flywheel that will work for the LS motor?
What Starter for 153 tooth flywheel on LS motor?

If neither of those are options, is there an adapter bellhousing available?

I understand that an adapter pilot bushing may be called for such as GM 12557583

bczee

iTrader: (12)

I am pertty sure that the 168 tooth flywheel will not fit in a 3rd gen F-body bellhousing, I tried a SBC 168 Flywheel one befor on my 84', had to go back to a 153. You might want to go with a aftermarket Bellhousing.

Dan_W

Yeah... I was looking over on thirdgen.org about the flywheel thing and it doesnt look like the 168 tooth one will work.

While I was over there some folks were on the topic of converting from a 168 to a 153 on a gen I small block that was originally machined for a 168. That might be worth looking into... But I'd still need to space the flywheel out so maybe this part: GM 12563532 would fit the bill to space out a 153 tooth flywheel? Then the question is the skirt where the starter bolts up in the same orienatation as the gen 1 sbc? If it is, one could use a starter from a gen 1 motor.

I can't beleive no one has done something like this before... all the mustang guys with LS1's here and none have used the T5?

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

Probably cause it doesn't hold up..

MeanYellowZ

iTrader: (19)

I keep watching these threads for someone to chime in with the actual answer how to do it. I would like to run one in a project I'm doing now as my daily driver. Not everyone in the world builds these to go fast. I would like to use one as a nice daily driver that won't ever see WOT, just a nice driver on a budget.

SMALLBLOCKHERO

iTrader: (2)

if you go easy it will live. it all depends on what type of T5 your going to use. there were a few different types. different input shaft diameters and such. i went through 5 T5's in 5 years in a 5.0 stang. my tranny guy kept rebuilding them for me. in his own words "T5's have gears that would qualify for a heavy duty wristwatch." . i hope your project goes well.

Project GatTagO

iTrader: (7)

You need to use a GM T5 to start. With an input shaft length of 6.6" and a GM style bearing retainer. Then you need to use a GM 621 casting bellhousing. Keisler makes a reproduction. This is a big block bellhousing and will accommodate a stock LSx 168 tooth flywheel. Don't even go down the road of using a 153 tooth flywheel with adapters. You run into starter problems and all kinds of mess. From there, the transmission will fit like any old school GM trans. Check out my build thread for more details. I used a Richmond 6 speed behind my L92, but the issues are the same with a GM T5.

Andrew

bczee

iTrader: (12)

Keep in mind that the GM Gen 3 F-bodys T-5's are offset (15* ?) to the right and will not bolt up to the traditional SBC/BBC bellhousing and have everyghing line up (trans mount and shifter base). Which is why I suggested a aftermarket bell housing for a T-5 (lakewood, mcleod, etc) that will allow the 168 tooth flywheel.

The key to keeping the T-5 from grenading is not to pull the pin ! LOL.... so.. if you are using it for a DD with a stock engien and keep from doing the parking lot burnouts, ripping gears, etc.. it will hold up, for a Daily Driver.
I've blown two T-5 in my 84 z28 that has a mild 350 (350hp @ flywheel). But it has held up ok if I don't take it to the drags too offen. But it is no fun not pulling the PIN !

SOM68SS

iTrader: (3)

You can do it the exact same way I did to my TKO except its easier now. I modified a Lakewood housing to use the mustang cable setup but Quicktime offers a bolt in bellhousing that is ready to go. Part number is RM-6037, here it is online http://www.quicktimeinc.com/products.html scroll down a little ways till you come to the corresponding part number. It makes it a bolt in application now.