OK, as some of you know, I picked a 1980 Malibu about a year ago, that's a factory 305 V8/4 speed car. I haven't been able to drive the car much yet, because of some mechanical issues, along with the time & funds to look after them. The times that I have driven the car though, I've thought that it would be really nice if it did have 1 more gear.
I would eventually like to put a stronger engine in the car-300HP would be nice.
Now here's where I get to my question. I have a T5 gearbox here that came out of a mid '80s S10, and I'm wondering if it might work in this car. I know that some people are going to say that its not strong enough to handle that kind of power, while others will say that the shifter location is too far forward. The thing that I've noticed about this car, and the Iraqi Malibus that I've owned over the years, is that the stock shifter location is pretty far forward, as some of these cars were available with the manual transmission and a bench seat. Where the stock shifter comes out of the floor is almost tucked under the ash tray below the radio and heater controls, and its ahead of the factory console that came in the car, so I'm thinking that the shifter location on the S10 T5 might not be too far off. I know that I'm looking at a shifter location with the T5 that will be more "centered" in the middle of the transmission tunnel. This T5 is set up for a mechanical speedo drive, so that will work in my favour. I have test fitted the T5 to a standard Chevy bellhousing that I have here, and it will fit. I know that there is an issue with the input shaft length on the T5, that will require some trimming. If anyone has any info on that, I'd appreciate it. I'd also like to know if the transmission mount location on the T5 will be the same as the original 4 speed Saginaw transmission.
I know that there are stronger internal parts available for the T5, that will make it more durable for higher horsepower applications, and with a good rebuild, I'm thinking it should be up to the job, and be cheaper than going with an aftermarket alternative.
I'm going to enclose a couple of photos, to try to illustrate what I have here, to give you a better idea of what I'd like to do. I'd appreciate any thoughts or ideas, and if anyone else has tried this swap, I'd like to hear from you. Thanks in advance.
I would eventually like to put a stronger engine in the car-300HP would be nice.
Now here's where I get to my question. I have a T5 gearbox here that came out of a mid '80s S10, and I'm wondering if it might work in this car. I know that some people are going to say that its not strong enough to handle that kind of power, while others will say that the shifter location is too far forward. The thing that I've noticed about this car, and the Iraqi Malibus that I've owned over the years, is that the stock shifter location is pretty far forward, as some of these cars were available with the manual transmission and a bench seat. Where the stock shifter comes out of the floor is almost tucked under the ash tray below the radio and heater controls, and its ahead of the factory console that came in the car, so I'm thinking that the shifter location on the S10 T5 might not be too far off. I know that I'm looking at a shifter location with the T5 that will be more "centered" in the middle of the transmission tunnel. This T5 is set up for a mechanical speedo drive, so that will work in my favour. I have test fitted the T5 to a standard Chevy bellhousing that I have here, and it will fit. I know that there is an issue with the input shaft length on the T5, that will require some trimming. If anyone has any info on that, I'd appreciate it. I'd also like to know if the transmission mount location on the T5 will be the same as the original 4 speed Saginaw transmission.
I know that there are stronger internal parts available for the T5, that will make it more durable for higher horsepower applications, and with a good rebuild, I'm thinking it should be up to the job, and be cheaper than going with an aftermarket alternative.
I'm going to enclose a couple of photos, to try to illustrate what I have here, to give you a better idea of what I'd like to do. I'd appreciate any thoughts or ideas, and if anyone else has tried this swap, I'd like to hear from you. Thanks in advance.
