xoft

Just to recap for some. I have a 67 Convertible with a NOM 327/350hp.Its definitely a driver car and thats what I wanted. It has a 25 year old Restoration on it. It came to me with a Quadrajet carb on a cast iron 350 style intake with chrome valve covers. I planned on changing to the 67 350 hp covers from the beginning. It also came from the factory with a 3 speed. After spending time on the forum I decided on the T-5 swap. I also wanted a new carb and did a lot of research on that as well. I gathered parts for a couple of months. Intake, Carb, Valve covers and all the oil fill and PCV valve and hoses that I needed. I found a T-5 and an 83 Camaro bell housing locally. I rebuilt the T-5. We got the engine pulled and proceeded to replace all the gaskets and rear main seal. When we pulled the Rear main cap there was some color on the bearing and a gouge in it as well. But the crank looked fine. Same thing on the rod bearings. So all of these were replaced as well as the timing chain and gears. With all of that tightened up it got a fresh coat of Chevy Orange. Of course "while I've got it apart" took over. I was cleaning the engine compartment to paint, and noticed how bad my bushings were in the front. So I ordered a front end kit from Duntov Motors and replaced all the suspension parts. While it was apart, the A-arms got bead blasted and repainted as well as the frame and all the new parts. I also installed new KYB shocks. Since I put new shocks on the front, I had to put new KYB's on the rear! That meant new shock mounts, struts and Camber bolts. I posted a while back on my Zinc plating system. All those parts came out looking great! So I get this thing back together with the rebuilt T-5 and get them installed and have No Clutch! After some direction from some fine forum members. I got the proper Pivot ball stud installed and all was well! I am ready to fire this thing up now! I follow the instructions for The Street Demon Carb. I made one adjustment to the set the primary butterflies. I cranked the engine a few times with the coil wire off, just to get gas up to the carb. I hooked it back up reached inside the car and it started right up! The only adjustment I have made is to set the idle with the thumb screw! I don't know how much of this is the Carb or the new Edelbrock intake, but this car runs amazing!! No stumble or tip in problem like I had before. I knew the T-5 would make a big difference, But this engine runs like scalded mule. It never ran this good. It makes me wonder if I should have added one part at a time to see what made the most difference. Anyway it's in now and I just got back from the alignment shop. All was good! I am now driving a totally different Car!
Oh yea! At 70mph its turning 2050 RPMS!! The wife even commented how quiet it is now! (side pipes)
Sorry for such a long post, but I just wanted to share and say what a great forum! Thanks Tom Austin and all who helped with the clutch problem! That FAQ section is Awesome!!

xoft

More Photos!

tri blk 65

great looking job

Westlotorn

The power improvement may have a lot to do with having 5 gears and a much lower 1st gear now. It looks really great, glad you are so happy with it. Congratulations.
( my T5 is in the garage waiting for the car )

mudbone64

Do you know what your rear gear ratio is?

xoft

Yes Sir, 3.36

xoft

3 speed 2.58 1.48 1.00
5 Speed 2.95 1.94 1.34 1.00 0.73
it is a deeper 1st gear but I really think the Carb and Intake woke it up. It pulls hard all the way to OD! Fun!
Good Luck with your install!

Westlotorn

1 st gear preferred best ratio is 10 by most records.

Your 3 speed 2.58 x 3.36 = 8.67
Your new 5 speed 2.95 x 3.36 = 9.9 dead on perfect for good launch.

2nd 1.48 x 3.36 in the 3 speed = 4.97
2nd in your 5 speed 1.95 x 3.36 = 6.55

3rd in the 3 speed = 3.36
3rd in the 5 speed = 4.50

Your new 1st, 2nd and 3rd will pull much harder.
Very much like swapping out your 3.36 rear gear for a 4.50 rear gear.
You feel it. I am looking forward to the same.
My car has a 3.70 gear and my overdrive is .64 rather than yours at .73.
I also have a 3.36 pumpkin I am considering installing so keep me posted on how happy you are on the highway.
Glad your improvements are giving so much happiness.

kidvette

Looks good. You will love the 5 speed. If its a driver its one of the best mods you can do. Enjoy the road.

mudbone64

Thanks. I've also been wanting to do the T5 swap and my car too has 3.36 gears and though I went through the math just like Westlotorn has done I always wondered if the 3.36 rear gear was too high. That doesn't seem to be the case.

xoft

I did the same math early on in my swap. I agree it probably has the most to do with my performance increase. I neglected to mention in my original post. My old flywheel from the 3 speed was to damaged to resurface. A hot rod buddy gave me a new one that had been dropped on the ring gear. I had the ring gear replaced and used it. I noticed it was much heavier than the old one. My old one weighed 17lbs the new one 28lbs. I have read this is more desirable for a street car/daily driver. On a flat road it will launch at idle without killing the engine. Pretty cool!

Scott Marzahl

Great looking car and nice job! How do those T5's shift compared to a Muncie? Did you change out the second gear for a closer ratio, it seems like 1.94 is a huge drop from the 2.95 first.

Tom Austin

Scott,

The T5's shift GREAT compared to the Muncie! The shifts are very precise and quick . . . no slop at all in the shifts. I like my T5 much better than the Muncie.

Tom

xoft

Hey Scott
I knew someone would chime in on the Muncie! I have no experience there. Mine came with a Muncie but I never installed it. I went from the 3 speed to the 5 speed. Thats the stock 2nd gear. Here is a website that lists all the T-5's and ratios. Mine is a 1352-195 from a 1989 GM 5.0L F-Car.
http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Bo...T5-ID-Tags.htm

Tom Austin

. . . . and my T5 is a 1352-196 with a .63 5th gear!

Tom