Short-term 4-speed: Worth the effort?

[Bonnewagon]

I agree that the 3:73's make an overdrive almost mandatory. That said, I would find it easier to just use a common Saginaw or less common ST-10. They will bolt right up and you will be in business in no time. I used a Saginaw behind a Pontiac 400 so your Buick 350 will last if you drive it like an adult. I absolutely understand the mentality of "The 3:73 gears are in there and I spent money". No one likes to back up and regroup. But when the 3:73's get on your nerves then consider changing rear ratios for something more practical. Just my opinion.

 

[Texas82GP]

I may have a misunderstanding of it, but I thought I could mount it to a regular BOP bellhousing and just change the shift lever.

EDIT: and fabricate an adapter for the slanted tail.

Are you running headers? You could possibly run a hydraulic clutch Camaro bellhousing with an adapter and then you don't have to deal with the slanted trans mount on the tailhousing. There are plenty of shifter options. Get on ebay and search "T5 Shifter". They make swap shifters for the T5 being installed 'straight up' into something like a standard G Body bellhousing. Steve is right though. You want a shifter with stops like the Hurst (discontinued?) or the Pro 5.0. I wonder if there is such a thing as a BOP 3rd Gen Camaro bellhousing for T5? If there is, it's probably rare as hen's teeth.

 

[307 Regal]

I absolutely understand the mentality of "The 3:73 gears are in there and I spent money". No one likes to back up and regroup. But when the 3:73's get on your nerves then consider changing rear ratios for something more practical. Just my opinion.

I've actually been thinking about stepping back down a bit; maybe 3.42 or 3.08. Just for a bit more top speed in my 1:1 gear (if I go back out to Gingerman Raceway) and less noise on the highway since I still like having music in the car. And maybe I'll get my lashing right next time. 🙄 (good pattern, but too much slop.)
Most of the time, I do drive like an adult. But about 5 times a year I run the car pretty hard.

Are you running headers? You could possibly run a hydraulic clutch Camaro bellhousing with an adapter and then you don't have to deal with the slanted trans mount on the tailhousing. There are plenty of shifter options. Get on ebay and search "T5 Shifter". They make swap shifters for the T5 being installed 'straight up' into something like a standard G Body bellhousing. Steve is right though. You want a shifter with stops like the Hurst (discontinued?) or the Pro 5.0. I wonder if there is such a thing as a BOP 3rd Gen Camaro bellhousing for T5? If there is, it's probably rare as hen's teeth.

Yes, I am running headers. I was going to run a hydraulic line through the clutch fork hole in lieu of using mechanical linkages. I'm glad you brought up the slanted mount because I've never actually planned that far.

 

[Bonnewagon]

I wonder if there is such a thing as a BOP 3rd Gen Camaro bellhousing for T5?

Jared, I remember seeing a Pontiac 151 in a base 3rd gen Camaro and I think it was a stick shift. If the base motor was the 151 and GM kept their tradition of offering the base model with a manual trans- and then the T-5 became the manual box in 1983- it would make sense that a 151/T-5 bell housing should be out there. What I don't know is if the 151 used the BOP bell housing pattern.

 

[DRIVEN]

IIRC the 151 used the 60* bellhousing like a 2.8 Chevy V6.

 

[307 Regal]

I wonder if I could use a Mustang tail housing. Looks like internal parts would need to be swapped due to a length difference, but the mount would be level.
I also just read about someone putting one in an MG, and it seems they just cut the slanted mount flat and used angled washers to even out the load on the mounting bolts. (not pictured but dictated) http://www.mgexp.com/phorum/read.php?40,1742160

 

[Bonnewagon]

Driven- too bad- that kills that idea.

maybe 3.42 or 3.08.

307 Regal- if so then it gives you the option of matching your transmission first gear to your rear end gears. That 10:1 overall ratio is SO important on the street. There are many first gears to choose from but you may have trouble finding the exact one you prefer. In my case I built a Pontiac 301 with a Saginaw w/3:50 first and 2:78 rear gears. [9.78 ratio]. It had a great take-off ratio yet turned only 2000 rpm at 60 mph. Or with the 400 I used a 3:11 Saginaw with 3:23 rear. [10.04 ratio]. Currently I have 3:23 rear gears for towing [11.3 ratio] and that only cost me a couple hundred rpm at 60 mph which the 301 liked.

 

[DRIVEN]

I'd throw out the suggestion of a WC S10 transmission but the gearing is way too deep for those 3.73s. Plus only as VSS.

I seem to remember Lakewood making GM scattershields for usr with Ford Toploader which, by extension, should work with a Mustang T5. Those are geared better and plentiful.

 

[Texas82GP]

I wonder if I could use a Mustang tail housing. Looks like internal parts would need to be swapped due to a length difference, but the mount would be level.
I also just read about someone putting one in an MG, and it seems they just cut the slanted mount flat and used angled washers to even out the load on the mounting bolts. (not pictured but dictated) http://www.mgexp.com/phorum/read.php?40,1742160

I've also heard of folks swapping in an S10 tailhousing to get away from the slanted mount. It moves the shifter further forward which is bench seat friendly. This is a good link....
http://www.garage-scene.com/t5-into-ag-body/

 

[307 Regal]

... Lakewood making GM scattershields ... should work with a Mustang T5. Those are geared better and plentiful.

Now that's a thought. Those are easier to find in my area. Might just be a thought for a dedicated T5 plan though. I'll be sure to save that idea and do some scattershield searching.
As far as the stop-gap 4-speed plan I do already have the bellhousing for one sitting around. But from all of the concerns about my current final drive ratio, it sounds like I may have to do some calculating to see what I'd really be living with. After all, it's not such a cheap and convenient plan if it requires another gear change. ha