World Class T-5 swap "how to" w/pics!

ThickasaBrick · #1 05-16-2011, 04:39 AM

Nice write-up and pics!

There are a lot of shady operators out there so I thought I would share my favorite trick on how to quickly tell if a "World Class" T5 really is "World Class".
On the non-WC T5's, the freeze plug looking thing on the front of the trans (it's actually a bearing retainer for the front bearing of the countershaft), is rounder looking on it's edge and says "Torrington" while the WC T5 has a flatter looking one the says "Timken". This is because (as Jason said) one of the improvements that made a World Class T5 "World Class" was the substitution of Timken roller bearings in place of the inferior Torrington needle bearings that the non-WC T5s used/use.

Something else to be aware of too: While I agree this is a great swap, folks should be aware that this particular T5's first gear ratio is only 3.35 (which is still the lowest ratio of all the WC T5s [highest numerically]), vs. the better than 4 to one first gear ratio of the M46. So if you are starting out with an M46 and you do this swap BEFORE you hop up your D24T your car may feel like it's a bit more sluggish off the line. But you will be able to hold onto first gear longer too though.
Regards, Eric

v8volvo · #2 04-04-2012, 10:38 AM

Jason,

I have started looking into T5 swap information for my 1986 745... it has the original ZF in it now with almost 300,000 miles on it, still working fine, but I am gathering parts to build a new motor for it this summer with a VNT, hot rod pump, IC, etc and I am not going to ask the mega mile automatic to try to stand up to that.

I have been looking at different versions of the T5 that are available and found out that the GM F-body version has a shifter location that is several inches further back, as well as an input shaft diameter that is identical to that of the M46.... thinking that may be a better option than the Ford setup. I like your shifter relocation modification but if there is a version out there that already has the shifter in the right location, or close to it, that seems easier...

Did you look at the GM units when you were getting into your swap? Any reason you know of why they are not as desirable? I assume the same adapter plate still bolts up to the front of the case, don't know why they would have made that part different...

Thanks

George

Jason · #3 11-08-2012, 09:59 AM

Didn't see this post, I know its kinda old but anway... From looking at the different options, I think the F-body issue was that the imput length wasn't going to be right. The pilot shaft diameter isn't an issue since I found that bearing that fits thats for the 5.0 v-8. As for shifter location I'm not sure what the difference is, though further back would have saved some extra work for sure. I never got that far with it though because of the imput issue as I remember. Not saying you couldn't swap to another imput, but that was more than I wanted to get involved in.

Jason

Jason · #4 11-08-2012, 10:02 AM

On another note, I just finnaly got around to rebuilding the trans after burning up the imput and counter shaft thanks to towing a trailer to Kansas! Anyway, for any naysayers about how well one of these holds up, I have beat the crap out of it countless times, multiple passes down the drag strip launching hard on sticky track surfaces, and managed to blow the rear end up TWICE and the trans was still fine... The trailer tow thing overheated it I think and ruined the gears.. As much as I like working the volvo now and again, its really not suited for towing. Maybe with a NV4500??? Hmmm

Jason

anders · #5 11-09-2012, 05:30 AM

Most of the GM T5 transmissions use GM's bolt pattern on the front, sometime in the 90's they swapped over to the Ford bolt pattern. (maybe with the introduction of the WC) Tail shaft housings swap over from one T5 to another very easily, as long as the tailshaft is the same length. Or you can swap the mustang input shaft into the camaro T5 as long as the gear count is the same.

BluevanACD2005 · #6 08-13-2015, 02:21 AM

Jason (or others),

Did you ever have any issues with fluid leaking from the area in the picture below?

I am trying to figure out if I have a seal problem or the area where the shifter originally mounted has fluid sent to it and it is over flowing out this hole. I just replaced the seal, but still have the leak. Seems like when I take off from a stop, I get a little line of it on the ground. That leads me to think it is building up in the area where the detents for the shifter are, and all coming out this hole at once from the force of taking off.

-Spenser

v8volvo · #7 08-13-2015, 08:26 AM

Since Jason isn't on the board very often any more, it may be a little while before he sees this, but I remember him saying he did have a problem with leakage from that area and had to try to seal it up somehow. I think he said he eventually burned the trans up on a long trip after it ran low on oil.