[firechicken]

I've heard that a B-W T-5 will bolt in to my stock 77 T/A with a super T-10. Has anyone else heard such a thing and if so will the crappy T-5 handle a mild 6.6?

Thanks for any input.

[firechicken]

I've heard that a B-W T-5 will bolt in to my stock 77 T/A with a super T-10. Has anyone else heard such a thing and if so will the crappy T-5 handle a mild 6.6?

Thanks for any input.

[TinInjun]

Don't even think about putting the T-5 behind a Pontiac 400. It can't barely do the job behind a Chevy 305. It would be a time bomb waiting to go off behind a 400.

------------------
"Run wild with an Indian, not with the crowd in a Chevy"

Check out my restoration at http://members.aol.com/jetmech15/gto

[GP-K]

Firechicken,

The other problem with the T-5 is that the shifter is at an angle to compensate for the angled oem installation (for the F body versions).

As TinInjun said, the torque capacity is just way too low for nearly any Poncho.

Good luck,

K.

['ol Pinion head]

The BW T-5 was introduced behind a '75 or '76 2.3 litre Vega/Astre/Monza etc engine.

Were any upgrades ever done to these to allow for higher torque capacity? Seem to remember melting some plastic internal pieces in one of these back in HS, didn't take much.

[Cruiser]

FC,I had a warmed over 231 Buick Skyhawk (headers cam, intake,4 barrel carb..)back in 1983 .The T-5 lasted about 1 month behind this combo.There is no way it would survive even behind a mild 400.Later Mark B.

[GP-K]

OPH,

The T-5 was not offered in the Vega's or Monza's or clones. The 5 speed which was installed in the '76 - '80? GM H bodys was a Borg Warner T-50.

The T-50 has a European shift pattern with 1st opposite reverse (it can make for an exciting 1-2 shift), and 4th and 5th are opposite each other. The T-50 has a very low torque capacity, much lower than even the T-5, and there are almost no similarities between the transmissions.

K.

[firechicken]

So much for my brilliant idea of a low buck overdrive. Back to the drawing board as they say.

Thanks

['ol Pinion head]

GP-K, Thanks for the updated info...

Was it a T-5 or a T-50 which went behind the 231 V6 Skyhawks-Monza's-Sunbirds of this same era?

[GP-K]

OPH,

It was the T-50 in those cars. The T-5 never made it to the H bodies from the factory.

[img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

K

[Will]

In '89 the T-5 internals were upgraded to "World Class" parts. This made these trannies stronger and smoother shifting, but they still only handle 285 ft/lbs. Not a good idea behind any halfway powerful V8. They are nice trannies behind the current 3800 V6 and in S-10 trucks behind the 4.3 V6. Interesting note, the S-10 trannies are not tilted as are the F-body versions and the shifter is located further forward on the case, making them a better choice for retrofit into earlier cars, at least as far as how they will fit is concerned. I want one of these for my Nova.

Best 5-speed for our old musclecars with real engines is the Tremec TKO. Top-line versions are rated at 525 ft/lbs torque capacity and reports from people who've used them indicate they are a much slicker/smoother shifting tranny than the Richmond 5-speed. Other than shift feel, the main difference between these two trannies is the TKO is an overdrive version with (I think) a .7:1 5th gear wherears the Richmond tranny is a 1:1 5th gear. The Richmond works best with mild factory gearing such as 2.73-3.42 whereas the TKO allows you to run 3.73 or higher gears and still cruise on the freeway.

[David Holmberg]

I worked in a Pontiac Dealership back in 79 and 80. We had a lot of the 5-Speeds behind the 231 come back with broken gears and shafts... They were not even strong enough for the V-6...

[Mr_GTO]

Forte's Parts Connection in Waltham MA sells muncie and BW 4spd replacement 5spd Tranny's.
I saw one at the World Of Wheels this past weekend. I don't know their web site so you might have to do a search on it.

[Will]

FFCC, I'm pretty sure that's the Tremec tranny they're selling. Pricey, but a good unit.

[Mr_GTO]

Yea, It is a Tremec. Yea a bit pricey but what else is offered that is cheaper? I think that is why when I start restoring my GTO I am going with a OD Automatic. Cheaper and much more available.

[GP-K]

Will,

Are you sure about the torque rating of the Tremec TKO? If so, I may consider selling my Richmond gear tranny, and changing to the Tremec 5 speed. I thought that the Tremec's rating was "only" 375 lb. ft. (which is still more than a muncie)

Do you know of a website with more info? Gear ratios, etc.


K.

[Mr_GTO]

Here is the web site, http://www.fortesparts.com/

[Will]

GP-K,

I was pretty sure that's what I'd read. Then I checked out the Forte's website that FFCC posted and now I'm positive.

With a 3.73 rear gear you'd have an effective 12.2:1 1st gear and a 2.56 final drive. I'm not real wild about that gear spread. You could opt for the .83:1 5th gear and run a 3.23 rear which would give a 10.56:1 1st and 2.68 5th which sounds a lot better.

Automatic overdrives are cheaper? Really? How much for a 700R4 built to take the abuse a Pontiac can dish out? I belive a 2004R built enough to handle large amounts of torque would cost about the same.

[pontiacmark]

A friend of mine sells and installs Tremec 5 speeds in Jaguar V12's and old Mopars. I have been talking to him about develping a drop in kit for Pontiacs as well. Go to www.keislerauto.com

[GP-K]

Thanks Will.....

Sounds like a good tranny.



Take it easy....

K.