Lessons learned
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Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 840
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From: Mom’s basement
Lessons learned
For those of us who put the time in, I can almost bet there was a 1st and or 2nd and 3rd time before you got it right?
(probably geared more towards those putting in an 80's combo in whether it be a ford, Chevy, T5 or trying to decide on the right rea end)
What would you tell the newb going in?
Me- built SBC-1st gen- T5 from 90 Camaro with 84 GSL LSD and 3.9 gears.
Where would I start as I have been through multiple stages of suspensions, intakes, jetting, dizzy, clutches, flywheels, rear ends, tranny upgrades, Cooling (ouch), axles, brakes etc. etc.
My 1st piece of advice would be do not do it unless you had parts on hand. Whether it be tranny, engine and/or rear end...... if you have the parts on hand run for it. BUT if the car is in good condition-restore it.
edit:
this sounds like I am saying don't do it. I am saying do not do it if you are not willing to spend 20k minimum- and that is if you get it right the 1st time and do the work yourself. (1st gen).
The positives- have not met anything that will touch it, but mine is sorted. You will get thumbs up every tiime you go out....especially when you dust street bikes or see chicks who dig hot rods. You will always have something to fix. lol
(probably geared more towards those putting in an 80's combo in whether it be a ford, Chevy, T5 or trying to decide on the right rea end)
What would you tell the newb going in?
Me- built SBC-1st gen- T5 from 90 Camaro with 84 GSL LSD and 3.9 gears.
Where would I start as I have been through multiple stages of suspensions, intakes, jetting, dizzy, clutches, flywheels, rear ends, tranny upgrades, Cooling (ouch), axles, brakes etc. etc.
My 1st piece of advice would be do not do it unless you had parts on hand. Whether it be tranny, engine and/or rear end...... if you have the parts on hand run for it. BUT if the car is in good condition-restore it.
edit:
this sounds like I am saying don't do it. I am saying do not do it if you are not willing to spend 20k minimum- and that is if you get it right the 1st time and do the work yourself. (1st gen).
The positives- have not met anything that will touch it, but mine is sorted. You will get thumbs up every tiime you go out....especially when you dust street bikes or see chicks who dig hot rods. You will always have something to fix. lol
Last edited by TreeFittySeven; Sep 26, 2024 at 06:38 PM.
Pushrods
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: kennewick, wa
For those of us who put the time in, I can almost bet there was a 1st and or 2nd and 3rd time before you got it right?
(probably geared more towards those putting in an 80's combo in whether it be a ford, Chevy, T5 or trying to decide on the right rea end)
What would you tell the newb going in?
Me- built SBC-1st gen- T5 from 90 Camaro with 84 GSL LSD and 3.9 gears.
Where would I start as I have been through multiple stages of suspensions, intakes, jetting, dizzy, clutches, flywheels, rear ends, tranny upgrades, Cooling (ouch), axles, brakes etc. etc.
My 1st piece of advice would be do not do it unless you had parts on hand. Whether it be tranny, engine and/or rear end...... if you have the parts on hand run for it. BUT if the car is in good condition-restore it.
edit:
this sounds like I am saying don't do it. I am saying do not do it if you are not willing to spend 20k minimum- and that is if you get it right the 1st time and do the work yourself. (1st gen).
The positives- have not met anything that will touch it, but mine is sorted. You will get thumbs up every tiime you go out....especially when you dust street bikes or see chicks who dig hot rods. You will always have something to fix. lol
(probably geared more towards those putting in an 80's combo in whether it be a ford, Chevy, T5 or trying to decide on the right rea end)
What would you tell the newb going in?
Me- built SBC-1st gen- T5 from 90 Camaro with 84 GSL LSD and 3.9 gears.
Where would I start as I have been through multiple stages of suspensions, intakes, jetting, dizzy, clutches, flywheels, rear ends, tranny upgrades, Cooling (ouch), axles, brakes etc. etc.
My 1st piece of advice would be do not do it unless you had parts on hand. Whether it be tranny, engine and/or rear end...... if you have the parts on hand run for it. BUT if the car is in good condition-restore it.
edit:
this sounds like I am saying don't do it. I am saying do not do it if you are not willing to spend 20k minimum- and that is if you get it right the 1st time and do the work yourself. (1st gen).
The positives- have not met anything that will touch it, but mine is sorted. You will get thumbs up every tiime you go out....especially when you dust street bikes or see chicks who dig hot rods. You will always have something to fix. lol
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 840
Likes: 2,410
From: Mom’s basement
I have to admit I LOL'd in agreement pretty good when I read this. I don't launch out of the hole and once I hit 5th (OD) it is over as well. Pretty much a 2nd, 3rd, 4th runner if I don't want to leave parts on the road. That said the Tranny is beefed with all the extras you can throw at it, including the counter shaft upgrade from Congialosi and the clutch flywheel combo took me a couple to get the right mix with the tranny. Likes normal/heavier flywheel and clutch is rated well above what I think the HP is. The 16 lb flywheel and 450 hp clutches would never hold and needs too quick of shifting for the T5, where as beefier flywheel and clutch carries the momentum better and do not try to jam through the gears anymore. yeah, I broke a 2-3 shifter fork doing that.
Should have went with a newer model tranny, and maybe even just done an LS/T56 swap but in my warped mind I was trying to keep it old school and as close to 80's as possible.
Should have went with a newer model tranny, and maybe even just done an LS/T56 swap but in my warped mind I was trying to keep it old school and as close to 80's as possible.
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