jlanham

I have been told my T5 transmission will not hold up once I drop the 383 I am rebuilding in. I am getting different stories about what I really need to install a T56 and what it cost. Additionally the TKO 600 I get different stories on as well. What is the best transmission (not driving long highway miles) for a 383 in an 87 Z28 IROC? What is the best for the money? What additional parts are a must for conversion? and where is the best place to find them?

AlkyIROC

The largest engine GM put the T5 behind was a 305. If GM didn't put it behind a 350, think what a hopped up 383 will do to it.

A T56 is a better option.

jlanham

so t56 beats the tko as well you are saying? if so any ideas on what I truly need to complete the swap. The fly wheel I have on the 383 was for a automatic so I know that will not work. The driveshaft looks like it will have to go down 2 inches. Do I need to change yokes? Bell housing? What about the VSS?

Kevin91Z

iTrader: (1)

The T5 will not blow up just because you put a 383 in front of it. It will blow up because you beat on it at the track or on the street.

Read the two tech articles on swapping a T56 from a T5 and an automatic. They will aswer your questions.

jlanham

ok thanks. Now I have to hunt the stuff down that it mentions in that article. Everything new looks like about $3600. Hopefully can get stuff cheaper, but not likely

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

Yep, i beat the **** out of my T5 behind my 383, but if i went to the track on slicks i thgink that would be its demise.

jlanham

I was reading on this site that you did take your t5 on a track with slicks and dropped it at 5000 rpm and you were fine...

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

Yea, i did....with a 357 (.040 over 350). Made about 375 flywheel HP. My 383 is closer to 500.

jlanham

Good to know. On my 383 I am sticking with cast iron heads and expect only to be around 420. Given that, I can baby the t5 around for a while and get the stuff done on the house my wife wants first.

jlanham

By the way I could not find tech articles on the Richmond 5 speed transmission. A book I read tonight said that this was a good option in a 3rd gen up to 600 hp. Any opinions on one of these?

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

Richmond is Richmond, aftermarket is as nice as it gets of course. I still beat the hell out of my T5 with this 383, but i maintain a stock clutch and radials(which are still 295 wide). I have 70 iron heads that are so hogged out that i had to open the intake gasket to make them match.

1BadaGTA

Go for the T-56 you wont regret it. I did my whole swap for about $1800, transmission was used at 80,000 miles and came with the flywheel and I got the 4th gen pedals from a junkyard. But I couldn't find the slave cly anywhere so I went to a chevy delear to get that. Just keep your eyes open for deals because I got my tranny off ebay and only paid $1100 for it.