FWD to RWD conversion

[Berettaspeed]

im looking for info about the FWD engines and RWD manual trans. do the flywheels for the RWD have the same bolt pattern as the FWD?
im looking into a 3rd gen f-body 5spd or a 4th gen 5spd from the V6s. i don't know if the 4th gen will work. i would think so, but im worried about the flywheel.... also if there trannies even hold up to abuse or hold up to a MAX of 400WHP. that would be safe to say i won't pass that up. LOL

i need traction and RWD is to me the best way to do. plus i have always wanted a RWD car and i think this would be really, really, really fkn cool.


so all your RWD guys i NEED your help.

[ForcedFirebird]

The T5's in the 4th gens are said to be stronger (World Class), but still are weak compared to an auto (That's why the 5speed was never put behind a 350 Fbod )

[Berettaspeed]

you wouldn't happen to know if the trans is capable of the 400 hp?? prolly not hey? or even 350ish?

[ForcedFirebird]

you wouldn't happen to know if the trans is capable of the 400 hp?? prolly not hey? or even 350ish?

My guess is that the T5 couldn't go behind a stock 350SBC at 250hp, then it wouldn't last at 400.

[sharkey]

the t5 isnt a very strong tranny. it was never behind a 5.7 tpi f-body, however i do know a couple people that have done the swap and arent having issues.

what are you putting it into??? what is the estimated weight??? what is the target horsepower??? is it going to get a constant beating or more of a cruiser???

the bolt patterns between a fwd and rwd crank is the same, so a rwd 2.8/3.1/3.4 flywheel will bolt up without issues. you will need to move the starter to the other side of the block though, or find an 82 or 83 (thats the year iirc) f-body 2.8l 5 speed bellhousing, it will have the starter on the correct side.

[Greg55_99]

You've got quite a few options.

1. Keisler makes an adapter plate to mate the T56 to a stock GM Saginaw/Muncie pattern bellhousing. Find a 60* bellhousing with a pocket on the drivers side and the right pattern and you're there.



2. If you can move the starter to the passenger's side of the block, you can use a 5-speed R154 out of the 87-92 Toyota Supra Turbo. This would require an F-body flywheel and a 96-00 2.5L Dodge Dakota bellhousing. The R154 is a pretty good tranny.

http://www.fixedbygary.com/mt/index.html

Greg

[Berettaspeed]

ouch... i forgot about that starter.. hmmmm

well i could cut the bellhousing?? mmm

i will be beating the crap out of this car and i don't want to spend alot for a trans if i can't get everything to work. i don't think ill ever get over 400WHP. setting up a rear end for a solid axel is not hard at all. the probelm is the engine and trans combo right now. ill look into the adapter plate for the T56.. that trans is kick ass, but pricey.. i want to spend less than 1500. but my dad does CNC work so maybe ill save on this plate. i l look into this.

thanks for the ideas.. keep them coming..


i might not be able to save my PS rack either from the way this is looking.
i have no idea what added weight i will have, until i get everything i know will work. right now i think it would be safe to say 2900ish now.

[Greg55_99]

Well, if your intention is to "beat the crap out of the car", why don't you just find a good Muncie 4-speed... unless you absolutely must have an overdrive.

Greg

[sharkey]

a super t10 isnt a bad option either. they are found in late 70/early 80s f-bodies and vettes. it is only a 4 speed, but itll take a beating.

[Berettaspeed]

ill look into those 4psd as well now. i like things that can take a beating..

[sharkey]

if you are able to do some machining, you may be able to make a t45 from a late model v8 mustang work. you may however run into some issues trying to come up with a clutch disk/pressure plate combo that will work.

[Ortie666]

Im going to have to stick up fot the borg T-5 5-speed here... I have one in both my chevette's one witch has 150 shot of Juice, No matter how hard I punnish either one of those tranny's they always take it.. my buddy used one of the s-10 4 speed's for a week b4 he lunched it.. The world class 5 speed's were behind the 305 camaro's and 302 mustangs, and Ive seen alot of hopped mustangs slam gears with no problem.. All do respect, But I'd love to see the 660 motor thats going to destroy a T-5 from shear power and Not operator error...

[Berettaspeed]

thanks for the input.. right now im figuring out how im going to fit everything.. ill look into the world class trans.
im messuring everything in my shell in the garage.

i have 4 trannies options that i may use. im just hoping the 4th gen 5spd will hold up i can get one for 300 bucks. and make it fit!

[geoffinbc]

T5's were build to handle everything from 175lbs of torque up to 300LBS and thats right from Tremec. So it depends on what one you end up buying. The tag on the back can be decoded in which case you can determine the application and the torque it will handle. Go to www.tremec.com for the Tag numbers. Mustangs used the T5 all the way through until the latest generation. They may even still use them I'm not sure.

[sharkey]

mustang v6's use the t5 (ford calls it a t5od) in the v6 cars till 2004, it was replaced by the tremac 3550. the 5.0l always got the t5, however when the 4.6 was introduced, that got the t45, an improved version of the t5. that was replaced in 05 by the 3650.

there are many different versions of the t5. one big difference is the borg warner and wrold class t5, they use different styles of syncros, as well as they take different oil. there is also differet shifter location, input shafts, output shafts, ect.