M5 from 2.8 3rd gen

[Jack]

Is there a difference in the tranny gear ratio between a 3rd gen 2.8 M5 and a 3.8 M5? I may be able to pick one up cheaply and was curious. I found nothing with the search feature on this. Will this tranny work ok on a 3.8? I know the bellhousings are different, but it should bolt up to my bell housing.

Does anyone know?

[Dojo2000]

Will NOT work. I have a T-5 from an 87 V6 Firebird sitting in my shed. I thought it would be a nice replacement for my failing tranny, but they're not the same.

I have pics of my 4th gen T-5, but no pics of the 3rd gen.
http://www.appstate.edu/~do54457/pics/TRANS2.JPG
If you've seen the 3rd gen tranny you can see that the clutch setup is different, among other things.

[Jack]

I knew the clutch would be different, but isn't the tranny the same? My clutch is ok, was just wondering if the actual tranny was the same.

[Dojo2000]

I wasn't refering the the clutch mechanism not the clutch itself. Our hydraulic clutch system is different than the one on the 3rd gen tranny.

From the slightly different shape of the case I assume the internals might not be the same either.

I had 2 mechanics try to install this 3rd gen tranny on my car without success. I'm not telling you I think it won't fit, I'm telling you it WON'T fit. Sorry.

[Jack]

That is a bummer.

[Dojo2000]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Jack:
That is a bummer.<hr></blockquote>

Your telling me :( I bought this 3rd gen tranny thinking it would work and when it didn't I had to buy a 4th gen T-5 [img]graemlins/dunce.gif[/img] I still have the 3rd gen tranny sitting in my shed. Nobody wants one for their 2.8L and it won't fit on a V8 without modification.

[Jack]

I hear you, any idea what is different? Splines, bolt pattern for bell housing? It is odd, a 2.8 is basically the same block as a 3.1 and a 3.4, the tranny from a 4th gen 3.4 is the same as a 3.8, but the bell housing is different, no biggie there, our bell housing works, you just have to take the old one off and use the one from the 3.8 on the 3.4 tranny. It really sucks too, I can have this one for a song.

[Jerriko]

Dojo2000, would you be interested in selling the T5 from the 3rd gen firebird. It would probably be better to email me since I don't check these boards often.
ad_jerriko@angelfire.com
Thanks

[Dojo2000]

I'm headed home today for fall break so I'll try to take pictures of the trans and compare them to pics of my T-5.

Jerriko, I'm responding to your email right now.

[Jack]

I may try this anyway, some of my friends from a 3rd gen board all said it would work, just bolt the tranny to my bellhousing. It won't cost me anything to try so I will have a little install party with the 3rg gen guys. I will report back if it was a success or not.

Not to knock your mechanics Dojo, but I never trusted mechanics, too many times they have no clue what they are doing and get in way over their head and expect you to pay for their learning curve. I hope it works, but if not it will not cost me anything but a few beers and some time. If it does work however, we will have a solution to our failing trannys.

[Dojo2000]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Jack:
Not to knock your mechanics Dojo, but I never trusted mechanics, too many times they have no clue what they are doing and get in way over their head and expect you to pay for their learning curve. I hope it works, but if not it will not cost me anything but a few beers and some time. If it does work however, we will have a solution to our failing trannys.<hr></blockquote>

No problem, I understand. If its not going to cost you anthing then its definetly worth a shot. It was actually a reputable transmission shop that was trying to install it and told me it would not work do to some differences. I'm going to pull it out of the shed in the morning and take pics out it so you can see some of the differences.

[imported_admin]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Jack:
I may try this anyway<hr></blockquote>

Don't! The transmissions themselves are different.

There are three different versions of the Borg-Warner T5 that have been in use since it first began appearing in the F-Body. Each model has become progressively stronger. I'm kicking myself because when we moved 3 months ago I seem to have misplaced my library of performance books so I cannot quote exact figures. But if memory serves, the first T5's that were used in the 2.8 were only rated to 225 ft-lbs. I don't remember the second but the third was rated at 300 ft-lbs. Also, the gear ratios are completely different.

Do not attempt to put a third gen transmission in a fourth gen car!

[Jack]

Are you sure about this Stefan? The same M5 was mated to the LG4 which produced 250 ft lbs of torque?

My source 3rd Gen Specs

[Dojo2000]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Jack:
Are you sure about this Stefan? The same M5 was mated to the LG4 which produced 250 ft lbs of torque?

My source 3rd Gen Specs<hr></blockquote>

Nowhere on that page does it say on that page that the 5 speed manual (M5) transmission is the same through 87-92. I've had numerous people tell me the 2.8L V6 T5 is not the same as the one on the 305/350 V8.

IIRC one of the main differences is in the clutch system, but I'll check that when I pull it out.

[Jack]

I guess I am hoping too much.