Engine and Transmission Tech

With the preponderance of T-5 boxes out there now, anyone have a good suggestion on which one to use behind the Buick 215?
I want something that is "almost" a bolt up and where I don't have to spend a lot of time/money playing around with adaptations.

I now that it depends on shifter location, but apart from that????

Most people like the Camaro V8 T5, bolts right up to the 215 Muncie 4 speed bellhousing. D&D have an adapter for 3 speed belhousing to Ford T5.

Like Jim said, GM 4 & 5 speed tranny bolt patterns have been the same since the late 50s. I used a a dual bolt pattern factory Buick 215 3 & 4 speed bellhousing. My '91 Camaro V8 T-5 bolted right to it with zero issues. Aftermarket Buick/Old 215 bellhousings will do the same. If staying with the stock rear end, a T-5 with a .63 overdrive makes driving on the Interstate much better. Use a GM V8 T-5.

Much appreciated......I did have a handle on a Camaro T5 but checking the tag number, turned out to be a V6 model.

the used ford t5 is generally less expensive, more readily available, and has the same ratios as the elusive gm v8 with d&d bellhousing plus adapter from gm to ford pattern the trans mount pad locates on the crossmember plus it sits parallel with simple hole drilling into the crossmember to bolt the trans mount pad and the adapter allows the longer ford input shaft to fit into the pilot bushing properly another is the shifter is vertical not at an angle and comes up in the center of the mgb opening but if you are diehard gm go for it

Don, I recently heard that maybe that adapter plate can cause an interference issue with the firewall, have you seen any evidence of this?

Jim

I have. Jim Watson has the adapter with a Ford T-5. It required some extra relieving at the firewall/tunnel area. Glad that I stayed all GM.

The Mustang V8T5 has a lower first at 3.35. OD is .68. V6 has a .72 OD. Aftermarket and Ford Racing T5 has 2.95 first and .63 OD, same as Camaro T5.

i have found no interference issue with the adapter plate if I remember correctly it is dimensionally similar to the gm style surface on the bellhousing that a t10 or t5 would bolt to with it being slightly vertically longer to use the ford trans bolt pattern if I recall the chev/gm is shorter/wider pattern while the ford is slightly taller/narrower of course the mounting bolts from adapter to bellhousing surface are countersunk so there is no interference also with the d&d bellhousing I ordered no clutch fork opening is present there is no I did have an issue with the top of the trans casting hitting the trans tunnel between the rear of the heater box footwall vents and vertical sheetmetal that normally holds heater/fresh air/fan controls and/or radio about 3/4"high x 5"wide x6"long bread pan gave plenty of clearance maybe I was lucky in sourcing my used mustang t5 with the 2.95 first gear I still think they are easier to find than the somewhat similar gm t5 just an opinion

You were lucky, I forgot about the 83-84 NWC Mustang T5. It did have the 2.95 first. Those are about as rare as the Camaro V8 one. I like the newer Mustang V6 T5 with the .72 OD. With the new 3.31 rear gears. I think Carl is right with the 2.95 first and switching to .73OD with 3.4-3.7 rear gears.

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Thanks, looked everywhere but there.