T5 to LS1

[41trokita]

I have a T5 from a S10 and a 5.3 LS1 that I am going to install in my 41 Chev. p/u.  My question is what sbc bellhousing do I need to find? The S10 housing will only hold a 8 1/4 clutch. I heard that a housing from a 4.3 Astro van will work. I don't have a clue.
I also plan on using a hyd throwout bearing but don't know what size master cylinder to use.

[jaybee]

Good question, I'm interested in the same engine/trans combination.  If you ask on an LS1 site they'll usually tell you the T5 is junk, just get a T56.  Good solution, but with aggressive shopping you can get a low mileage 5.3 with electronics for less than the cost of a good, used T56.  The T5 is rated at close to the torque of a 5.3 and people were beating the snot out of them before T56s became common, so it seems like a good match.

[enjenjo]

Since the bolt pattern is the same as most other GM transmissions, you should be able to use most of them as long as they clear the clutch.

[jaybee]

I think there's a difference in input shaft length, too.  There's an "adapter" pilot bearing that's used in some situations, but I'm unsure of the details.

[41trokita]

Thanks for the reply.  I have been doing alot of reading, and feel that the T5 will work fine behind a stock 5.3. My truck will be light and no racing and towing.
I found that a 85 Astro 4.3 uses a 11 inch disc with a 1X14 hub and any 11 inch diaphram clutch should work. I will need to trim the pilot shaft and shorten the sleeve that the throwout bearing uses and stock chevy slave cylinder and arm will work.  The 1960 Chevy p/u used a slave cylinder that mounted on the right side of the bellhousing, out of the way of steering.

[Phat]

Just a little better way to do it is get a T-5 out of a camaro.  Now if you need the shifter in the position that s-10 does just use the back half off the s-10 on the camaro trans.  Its a bit beefer trans the camaro.  I have a s-10 box behind a 235 for about 17 years and it works great.  You are correct you need to cut the pilot and the throw out sleve. Just coppy a input shaft and bearing retainer from any 3 speed or 4 speed box  But you also may have to cut about 3/16 or 1/4 inch off the trans side of the disc if you use the s-10 box...camaro uses the stock spline s-10 fine spline(21 maybe) . Now if you want to use a 10 inch clutch use a stock presure plate.  Now you have to use the disc out of a 80s 4 cyl jeep its 9 15/16 but works fine.  Check the speedo also some are mech some are electric.  You can put a gear on the rear shaft if it electric.  Good swap done a lot of them. S-10 box wont take much more than 200 hp