Swap to t5

[62stepside longbox]

Hi everyone, a guy I know that works at a transmission shop has found a t5 for me to put in my 62. He is going to put on an s10 tail-housing so the shifter is in the correct location for a bench seat and a different input shaft so that it will work with the stock clutch. I will also have to put in a transmission mount. My question is what else will need to be done for the swap? I currently have a front motor mount with bell-housing mounts on my 261, will I need to switch to side mounts or could I just keep the front mount and bell-housing mounts? Will the torsion bar cross member make it difficult to install the transmission? Thanks
Nik

Oh forgot I also have to get a one piece driveshaft

[LVPhotos]

You can upgrade clutch to 26 spline instead of swapping out the shaft. The bellhouse mounts work fine, I did add a crossmember on tailshaft but have a 406cui to work with. You can easily move transmission in and out. Driveshaft will bee 2" shorter, no need to replace whole thing. Sure there are helpful pictures on my build l8nks.

[62stepside longbox]

Originally Posted by LVPhotos

You can upgrade clutch to 26 spline instead of swapping out the shaft. The bellhouse mounts work fine, I did add a crossmember on tailshaft but have a 406cui to work with. You can easily move transmission in and out. Driveshaft will bee 2" shorter, no need to replace whole thing. Sure there are helpful pictures on my build l8nks.

Thanks, sounds like it should work out pretty smooth. I thought I would need to swap to a one piece because I assumed that it would need to shorten it more than 2''. But that's one more thing to take off the list.

[62stepside longbox]

Will I need a different driveshaft yoke?

[Captainfab]

Just keep your original bellhousing and just bolt the T5 on the back just like the SM420 is. There is no rear trans mount needed. Yes you will need a slip yoke for the back of the trans.

[62stepside longbox]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Just keep your original bellhousing and just bolt the T5 on the back just like the SM420 is. There is no rear trans mount needed. Yes you will need a slip yoke for the back of the trans.

Thanks john!

[jaredyocum]

I think the 4.3 or V8 Camaro T5 works better ratio wise. My best friend has one in his 65 that's out of a 2.8 V6 S10 and the 1st is super low and the OD very small. Still works ok just not as great at the 4.3 or V8 model .

[62stepside longbox]

Originally Posted by jaredyocum

I think the 4.3 or V8 Camaro T5 works better ratio wise. My best friend has one in his 65 that's out of a 2.8 V6 S10 and the 1st is super low and the OD very small. Still works ok just not as great at the 4.3 or V8 model .

Yes it is from a 80's camaro

[Old Bleu]

I also needed a longer speedometer cable when I swapped the T5 into mine.

[62stepside longbox]

Does anyone know if the input shaft needs to be shortened with the jeep 10 spline input shaft?

[number10]

I had to trim approx 3/4" off of the end that go's into the pilot bearing. Also the collar that the the throw out bearing rides on is too long. Simple mods a die grinder can handle. Get your specs off of your old trans.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by 62stepside longbox

Does anyone know if the input shaft needs to be shortened with the jeep 10 spline input shaft?

The Jeep shaft, S10 and Camaro V6 shafts are interchangeable. They all have 21 gear teeth. The 10 spline Jeep shaft swap allows you to eliminate the adapter plate. The 14 spline V6 Camaro input shaft also allows you to eliminate the adapter plate. Both the Jeep and V6 Camaro input shafts need to have the pilot tip trimmed.

If you have a V8 Camaro T5, then the shaft is already the correct length.

You can buy a brand new slip yoke. On eBay Proshaft sells a TH350 / 700R4 yoke that is correct for a T5. Manufacturer Part Number: PS2-3-6081X

Here is a link to the T5 Info Page on my website. A review of my T5 installation page where I show virtually all the installation steps of a T5 in my 1965 C10 may be helpful for planning.

Below are a few photos of an S10 T5 that I sold this past July. Notice that I have installed a Jeep input shaft and that the tip has been shortened. The release bearing sleeve has been shortened too (compare the first and second photos).

[62stepside longbox]

Thanks for the reply lugnutz! I read you entire page a few days ago and it was extremely helpful. It seems like it should work out pretty well. I'll post when I buy it

[62stepside longbox]

Thought I would update this: I picked up my t5 with a jeep ten spline input shaft and a s10 tail housing. Had to shorten the pilot tip and the bearing retainer. Slid right into place with no problems. Then I patched the old hole in the tunnel and cut a new one. I am running the s10 shifter and boot (not cleaned yet in pic). All that needs to be done is to buy a slip yoke for the trans (sm420 has a bolt on yoke) and get the driveshaft shortened. Has anyone here swaped to a t5 that can tell me exactly how much they got their driveshaft shortened?

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by 62stepside longbox

Has anyone here swaped to a t5 that can tell me exactly how much they got their driveshaft shortened?

I used the instructions (Diagram B) from THIS website. I then took the worksheet to the driveshaft shop and they knew exactly what to do with the worksheet. They had it ready the same day. Everything worked out great.

[akqj9]

I plan to get a T5 for my 64 C10 with 3 on the tree and a 250 6 cyl. Is anything special needed to get the speedo to adapt to the new trans? Also, I have an aftermarket set of backup lights to install since the truck did not come with any. How do I get them to come on when the trans is put in reverse?

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by akqj9

I plan to get a T5 for my 64 C10 with 3 on the tree and a 250 6 cyl. Is anything special needed to get the speedo to adapt to the new trans? Also, I have an aftermarket set of backup lights to install since the truck did not come with any. How do I get them to come on when the trans is put in reverse?

The T5 has a reverse switch. It should activate your reverse lights if wired correctly.

If you have upgraded to electric aftermarket gauges, then the VSS speedo output on 1989 through 1993 S10 T5s should give you a correct speedo signal. If you want to keep the factory cable drive speedo, then you will need to find a 1988 or earlier S10 T5 with the cable speedo connection. These are getting harder and harder to find.

I will mention that the 1983-1992 Camaro and Firebird T5s all have a cable speedo connection BUT the shifter position is too far back to use with a bench seat. With bucket seats, the Camaro shifter position works ok. For cable speedo hook ups you will need to match the drive gear, driven gear and tire size to get the dash speedo to read correctly.

[62stepside longbox]

Thanks for that sheet lugnutz! Now I'll be able to walk into a shop, give them the sheet filled out and they will know exactly what to do.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by 62stepside longbox

Thanks for that sheet lugnutz! Now I'll be able to walk into a shop, give them the sheet filled out and they will know exactly what to do.

Make all the measurements while the full weight of the truck is on the wheels (jack stands are OK too if they are under the rear axle).

[akqj9]

Thanks for all the great info. My column shift likes to jam at the worst time.
I can't wait to get smoother shifting and have overdrive.

[62stepside longbox]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

Make all the measurements while the full weight of the truck is on the wheels (jack stands are OK too if they are under the rear axle).

Two more questions: do I need the yoke slid into the tranny when I measure? Also I plan on lowering the truck (no more than 4 or 5 inches), will it be okay if i measure and shorten while it is stock height?

[Lugnutz65]

Leave the slip yoke out. Lowering the truck should not change it much. But I can't say for sure.

[62stepside longbox]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

Leave the slip yoke out. Lowering the truck should not change it much. But I can't say for sure.

Ok thanks. I think I should be fine with the lowering part of it. There's people on here that have lowered their trucks and changed nothing on their driveline and they had no problems

[mehoff400]

great to see more people doing the T-5 Swap. i need to kick myself in the butt and get to finishing up my engine/tranny swap. few more parts to paint and check everything together before i put the straight six in

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by mehoff400

great to see more people doing the T-5 Swap. i need to kick myself in the butt and get to finishing up my engine/tranny swap. few more parts to paint and check everything together before i put the straight six in

Watch this thread and my website T5 page for an installation. I will be heading to VA next weekend to install a 1993 S10 WC T5 in a 1966 SBSS. I plan to document the installation. The T5 going in already has the Jeep shaft swap done. I was able to get my hands on a WC Jeep shaft so this thing is all WC.