Can someone please help me out? I have gone through nearly all the T5 swap threads, but none of them seem to give a over length for the bearing retainer on the trans. Only that it needs to be cut back when using the S10-T5. I don't have any other manual transmissions here to compare/measure it against. Thanks!
I cant tell you a measurement but before you cut it put your flywheel, disk and pressure plate on and the slide it all together. I made the mistake of cutting mine to short by not having all the parts in the bell housing. I ended up getting a spacer that fits between the bell housing a tranny to make all my stuff work.
Unless it is a VERY mild SBC, you do not want an S10 T5 behind it. You are better off taking the tail housing off of it, and putting it on a V8 T5.
Compared to a V8/V6 Camaro unit that uses a 6.3" bell and fits SBC, The S10 input is 1/2" longer and the spline section is very short. The retainer is also longer in the S10. You need to cut it off enough to clear the disc spline hub. Don't go online for this, measure. BTW, the 1/2" can be partially addressed by shortening the pilot end of the input. That, plus a spacer, will put you in good shape with a 6.3" Muncie bellhousing as long as you have that pattern T5 case. And yes, the vast majority of T5s from S10s have 3.75 or 4.0x first gear, wide ratio drops gear to gear. The GM V8 gearset is nice.
gimpyshotrods X2. I wouldn't use an S-10 T-5 behind a SBC. Use a World Class T-5 from an early 90"s Camaro or Firebird at the very minimum and a TKO 500-600 if your SBC is pushing serious HP. Gary
It's a bone stock 283. I don't anticipate it being nasty at all. I know about all the other aspects, pros and cons. I just need to determine the retainer length. Is there a way to assemble it all and measure it?
Did Chevy ever put a Q-Jet on the old 4.3 V-6 engine? Great engine and to me they missed the boat by not installing it with a stronger 5-speed in the entry level Camaros. pdq67
Ok. So I assembled the clutch tonight. Got it all bolted on with the bell housing. Took some measurements, from the face of the bell housing into the hub of the clutch disk, I measured 3-13/16". That translates to about 3/4" off the bearing retainer. Of course you wouldn't do it exact, so I'm thinking 7/8" - 1" off the retainer. Am I missing anything?
I dunno, I beat the snot outta S-10 T5s in a couple SBC equipped vehicles. Did lose a few gears and had to replace the one in my hot rod Model A (it did have a McCulloch blown 283...) but I really fucking wailed on that car. There are tons of options for T5s. I get mine from a local junkyard used for $150 or so I guess I worry less than if I'd paid a lot more.
I've got some pics but I can't remember how much I cut off.. I did have a 3 spd trans to use as a guide.. Pics alone probably won't help but here they are...
I have looked at those a few times. I believe you indicated about 2" off of the snout. I was given a measurement of a typical retainer being 3-1/8". I have pulled measurements, just don't know how best to translate them, or rather what type of space I need between that retain and the disk. thank you for posting the pics