5-speed concerns

[Darkside]

I feel that one of the biggest needs for our cars is an option for us 5-speed guys. I know that the syncros and other rebuild parts are getting harder and harder to find, so where are we going to be in 5 years? I am concerned about this issue, but yet, don't have any ideas on what to do. Every month my tranny gets a little more testy. The only solution I can think of is a C4, because I will not put an AOD in it. I would hate to give up the manual though. Anybody have any thoughts on this subject?

[David Neibert]

What's wrong with AODs ? I've got them in both my cars and they are about the only thing that never gives me problems. Buy a Lentech and your done.

David

[Darkside]

Originally Posted by David Neibert

What's wrong with AODs ? I've got them in both my cars and they are about the only thing that never gives me problems. Buy a Lentech and your done.

David

I fought with you over this when I got my first SC four years ago. LOL I don't like automatics. Manual valvebodies or not. I like clutches and shifting. Now, a C4 wouldn't make me happy by any means, but it is all I would settle for. Lightweight and cheap to get. I have two of them right now.

[quick35th]

Chris,

I am thinking T56 swap out of a GTO would do the trick. The shifter will pretty much come right out where the M5R2 does from what I have read.

Shane

[Darkside]

Originally Posted by quick35th

Chris,

I am thinking T56 swap out of a GTO would do the trick. The shifter will pretty much come right out where the M5R2 does from what I have read.

Shane

Really? What about the bolt pattern on the bellhousing?

[quick35th]

Originally Posted by Darkside

Really? What about the bolt pattern on the bellhousing?

Unlike our M5R2's the T56's belhousing unbolts from the transmission and there is a company that makes adapter belhousings that can be bolted to the GM T56 but have the SBF bolt pattern.

Shane

[sinhumane]

that sounds intriguing.. but damn does it sound expensive!!!!!! a GTO? ZOMG $$!

[SuperCharged91]

Lol tyler do you get a post in on every thread that comes up

[Jacob_Royer]

Speaking of the new GTO's i got a chance to ride in one of the 6.0 powered ones last week and all i can say is WOW!

[NickM]

I don't know about other parts (gears, sliders, shafts), but talk to Southern Gear on syncros.
See if they can get more of the carbon fiber lined blockers in like I and Mike Puckett got ahold of.

Nick

[Darkside]

Originally Posted by NickM

I don't know about other parts (gears, sliders, shafts), but talk to Southern Gear on syncros.
See if they can get more of the carbon fiber lined blockers in like I and Mike Puckett got ahold of.

Nick

I didn't know anybody was making carbon fiber-lined syncros. How did you guys get em. Did Southern have them special made for you?

[CMac89]

You can get an upgraded T-5 from any aftermarket company like G-Force. They are all over the place and bolt right up. I think SpinningWheels-SC sells the shifter extension kit to make it work.

Unless you set a stick car up correctly, it isn't going to be as fast as a C4. Even so, you need the right converter, which will determine what your car will run. I will be putting a C4 in my car, sometime in the future.

I think a T-56 would be coolest for a stick tranny. You could run 4.30's with 30" tires, trap 125mph at 6K, and cruise 75mph at 2K (with basically any size tire.)

Come to think of it, I don't know if I wanna go to a C4.

T-56 VEY NIIIICCE!!

[Mike Puckett]

Southern Gear wouldn't tell me where they get the carbon fiber blockers from. I know they are carbon fiber because they are gray instead of brown and will conduct electricity. They don't always have them but they do get them from time to time because they know we need them. My concern is for replacement gears or the synchro cluster gears themselves. The F150 version has different synchro sliders than ours and they won't fit. I have 2 transmissions and keep one rebuilt and ready to swapout whenever I need it. You might want to try to buy another transmission just to have parts available.

[Darkside]

Originally Posted by Mike Puckett

Southern Gear wouldn't tell me where they get the carbon fiber blockers from. I know they are carbon fiber because they are gray instead of brown and will conduct electricity. They don't always have them but they do get them from time to time because they know we need them. My concern is for replacement gears or the synchro cluster gears themselves. The F150 version has different synchro sliders than ours and they won't fit. I have 2 transmissions and keep one rebuilt and ready to swapout whenever I need it. You might want to try to buy another transmission just to have parts available.

What do the carbon fiber blockers cost, if you don't mind me asking.

[Mike Puckett]

They were $200 for the set of 6. The reverse and 5th gear blockers were solid brass but 1-4 are fiber. I also talked with a Tremec rep and he recommended the TKO instead of the T56 but after discussing the project with them it was going to cost over $3000 to do the swapout and I decided not to pursue it. He also praised the M5R2 for its strength and frankly as long as the blockers are good I can speed shift it with ease. I know when it needs new blockers when I start missing 3rd gear repeatedly. I know what you mean about wanting to stick with the manual tranny. I'LL GIVE UP MY STICK SHIFT WHEN THEY PRY MY COLD DEAD FOOT OFF THE CLUTCH PEDAL.