Swap Saginaw 4 speed to World Class T5

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Swap Saginaw 4 speed to World Class T5

Postby Vega2008 » Sat Jan 27, 2018 5:53 am

Okay, first off I admit to being totally clueless when it comes to transmission swaps for the 1975 Chevy Vega Hatchback.

I am going to ask some questions here that maybe have been asked before, but I need to ask these questions before I spent a boat load of money to find out I bought the wrong parts...I don't want to go there, I can't afford to do this wrong.

I need help from somebody that has actually done this before, and the correct part numbers would be extremely helpful.

What I have:
I have a 1975 Chevy Vega Hatchback, it has the original 4 speed Saginaw transmission, and transmission cross member. It also has the stock driveline and stock rear end. These currently work ok, I just want better cruising speed on the highway with lower RPM's.

My 1975 Chevy Vega Hatchback had no engine when I bought it, but it had Buick V6 motor mounts and a BOP bell housing that has a cable operated clutch set up to the stock clutch pedal assembly. I am fairly certain that the stock tranny and tranny mounts were never altered or moved. I did not install the motor mounts they were already there for the Buick V6. I bought a running 1979 Buick Even Fire Buick V6 from a wrecking yard, I tore it completely apart and took it to a machinist to have the block completely gone through with new crank, new connecting rods, new pistons, new camshaft, bearings, rings. Heads were completely redone too. New flywheel for the Even fire since I didn't have one originally. The block was balanced internally, and also balanced by the flywheel. Instead of the typical 105 to 110 HP...I had it built to put out 275HP. Using an Edelbrock Performer manifold with ABF400 carb.
This motor was built in the late eighties, and the car was a daily driver for 7 to 8 years. I still have low miles on motor, still runs great so I am going to keep it, and run it until it dies then either swap it for a V8 or find another V6 for it. It gets around 26 to 28 MPG with the current setup, which was why I built a V6 Vega instead of a V8 Vega. This is not going to be a race car, but a daily driver type of car.

I want to swap out the Saginaw 4 speed for a T5 Transmission (World Class if recommended...and NOT a T50 tranny) behind my cable operated BOP Bellhousing if I can do that.

I need to know if a Camaro T5 bolt pattern tranny will bolt up to my BOP bell housing for an 1979 EVEN FIRE Buick V6 (This is Not a 3800 Buick V6) and if this is the best solution or not.

If the Camaro T5 tail shaft is too long for the shifter hole can the Ford T5 tail shaft be installed on the GM Transmission housing to put the shifter in the stock shifter hole, or closer to the stock shifter hole?
Will an S10 tail shaft be a better length to match my stock shifter hole?

What are my best options for a T5 tranny, so that I can get a T5 in there and have the T5 shifter line up the best with my stock 4 speed shifter hole?

If I swap to a Ford T5 Tranny, is there a specific adapter I can use to mount the tranny to my BOP tranny pattern (Same as Saginaw tranny pattern)?

I really need some good advice on this from somebody that knows what they are talking about, and has done this swap before if possible.

I do not have a Chevy Bell Housing, it is a BOP bell housing that mates to my stock Saginaw 4 speed.

Will you need a serial number from my BOP bell housing to answer any of these questions?

And if I am successful in getting the correct tranny / clutch / pressure plate too I assume...can I use a hydraulic setup instead of the cable for the clutch?

Probably also ought to mention that I know a shorter drive shaft may have to be made, a different yoke from the tranny output shaft, and a different tranny mount.

Part numbers would be awesome if you have specifics about what worked.

Thanks for any help you can provide me to save me time and money.

If you want to shoot me an email and or send me pictures and information I can be reach here if you want to do that:
Mike Steinert - VEGA2008 - michael.steinert60@gmail.com, or steinerts@mindspring.com, or michael.steinert@libertymutual.com
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Re: Swap Saginaw 4 speed to World Class T5

Postby TimMcCabe » Sat Jan 27, 2018 10:21 am

Hi Mike,

I ran a Z28 T5 in my '72 Vega for years before swapping it to a T56.
If you want to run a WC T5, you need to find a 91 Camaro, as it was the only WC that still has a speedo drive. From 92 on, the speedo was electronic.
The tailshaft from a 2wd S10 T5 will fit the Camaro trans and put the shifter very close to the stock location.
You may also have to grind a little bit off the front of the trans housing to clear the clutch pivot adjustment nut.
I was running the Camaro bellhousing with a hydraulic clutch, so I can't speak directly to that.
The Ford T5 has the wrong bolt pattern for your bellhousing and I think the input shaft is longer as well. There might be adapters to bolt it up, but they won't be cheap.
Do a search in the forum for T5 swap, there is alot of info here.. You can also google S10 tail housing on Camaro T5 and see some photos of the conversion.

Cheers,
Tim
1972 TPI Vega T56 6 speed

Contact me for all of your Tachometer needs
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Re: Swap Saginaw 4 speed to World Class T5

Postby Monza Harry » Sat Jan 27, 2018 9:34 pm

Tim and Fred are the only two I remember doing the T-5 swap, both however are SBC powered and I just don't know enough [anything] about the BOP pattern interchange to be any help there. So you have heard from Tim, here is Fred's "User Profile" : memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=757 Search his posts and follow along his build up, I recall Fred giving "much" info along the way, between them you should have most everything you need. Keep us posted as well. Harry
I'm not a hoarder I'm a preservationist 78 Monza Spyder (~Soon(ish +/- I guess) To Be 2+2 with Spoilers)
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Re: Swap Saginaw 4 speed to World Class T5

Postby cammerjeff » Sun Jan 28, 2018 1:41 am

Its not apples to apples, but I put a WC T-5 behind my Pontiac OHC-6 in my 1969 Firebird. I used a Trans from a 86 Trans Am, I was able to use the standard Pontiac V8 clutch, I went with a centerforce duel friction clutch and was able to use the standard Pontiac V8 throw out bearing, and all the stock OHC-6 clutch linkage. The issue to with the F-body T-5 was the 18 degree offset to the passengerside that the F-body trans mounts (82-92) the 93-2002 F-Body T-5's use the Ford case and require an adaptor plate to mount to the T-5 to a BOP Bellhousing.

On my 77 Astre 215 Buick Build I had wilcap make a one off tilted adaptor plate to mount the 97 Firebird (ford bolt pattern with the 18 degree tilt) straight up on m Buick 215. I used a modified Buick 215 bellhousing to work with the Vega style cable operated clutch. Unfortunatly I haven't completed the install in my Astre. But the install in my Firebird has worked well for 15+ years & over 10,000 miles. Other than the tilt of the shifter towards the passenger seat, but that is only excessive in 5th & reverse.
Jeff R

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Re: Swap Saginaw 4 speed to World Class T5

Postby monzaaddict » Sun Jan 28, 2018 5:46 am

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Re: Swap Saginaw 4 speed to World Class T5

Postby jim327monza » Sun Jan 28, 2018 12:07 pm

Their are after market t-5 that have the same bell housing to transmission bolt housing as the Saginaw pattern . a lot of the early gm t-5 use this same bolt pattern. the camaro t-5 is rolled (18 degree to the driver side). using any bell housing other than the Camaro will put the sifter straight up and roll the mounting pad. Input shaft length will be different between the v-8 and v-6 . I chose to have a 93 Camaro W/C t-5 rebuilt with Z-spec gears , bolted to a stock Monza bell housing that put the shiftier in the up right position. Shiftier cleared the stock Monza opening by 3/8 to 1/2 inch at rear. Using 1 by 2 rectangle tubing to lower the stock cross member and 1x1 angle to create an angled adapter between the mount pad and the foot on the transmission. Everything is bolted together and required no modification of the cross member or frame . I am using stock pull cable set up with plans to convert to hydraulic . Hope this answers some of your questions.
Jim
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Re: Swap Saginaw 4 speed to World Class T5

Postby OldsStarfire » Fri Mar 16, 2018 12:32 pm

I did a nwc T5 behind my Buick V6: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=852
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Re: Swap Saginaw 4 speed to World Class T5

Postby Old Rob » Sun May 06, 2018 9:35 pm

Most of the T-5 have the same mounting length as the 700R4 and 4l60 (4bolt tail). There was a factory cross member for the 75 models, albeit RARE. www.powerbyace.com has replacement available.
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Re: Swap Saginaw 4 speed to World Class T5

Postby Vega2008 » Sat May 26, 2018 3:24 am

I wanted to thank all you guys for the comments and advice. Always nice to have a group eager to speak about the solutions to questions and answers. Thank you all. My Modified 75 Hatchback goes in for it's paint job in a few weeks when I get the call. Total strip to bare metal, followed by black Epoxy primer, and then Lightning Blue Metallic paint. My 75 Hatchback has a 71-72 reverse engineered front end I did myself, and a modified tail to 70-73 Camaro tail lights, license plate recess cut out and filled with new steel and a steel lower valance with license plate under a 71-73 back bumper and bumper brackets bolted up to custom body brackets that bolt up where the outer 75 bumper spring bolts go. Posting pictures here always seems to be a major pain from my cell phone.
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Re: Swap Saginaw 4 speed to World Class T5

Postby mikebrow74 » Wed Jun 20, 2018 7:20 pm

I’m up for the same T5 install, replacing the factory 4-speed behind my 231 V6. So I have a T5 out of an 1984 Camaro, mechanical speedo, 14 spline input shaft, and the rear mount angled. So what am I going to need?

Use the stock bellhousing, clutch, and cable.
Fabricate a 18-degree wedge for the rear mount?
Fabricate spacers to lower the rear crossmember to accommodate the wedge adaptor?
Use the Camaro torque arm piviot including mounting bracket.
Cut, weld, bend, or buy a shifter to fit the stock console and boot?
Anything I’m missing or got wrong here?
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Re: Swap Saginaw 4 speed to World Class T5

Postby Monza Harry » Wed Jun 20, 2018 8:39 pm

Mike, as far as I remember the F-Body mount is different than any H-Body Torque arm mount. F-Body [all that I know about] has a sliding mount and the H-Body has a fixed [ish, "Pivot"] mount and relies on bushing compliance for most of the motion that needs to be taken care of. Your "Handle" suggests a '74 Vega that is a triangulated 4 bar car, no torque arm unless that is an upgrade you were planning that I forgot about. Just wondering and trying to fill in some gaps, the rest IDK Sorry. Harry
I'm not a hoarder I'm a preservationist 78 Monza Spyder (~Soon(ish +/- I guess) To Be 2+2 with Spoilers)
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Re: Swap Saginaw 4 speed to World Class T5

Postby mikebrow74 » Wed Jun 20, 2018 10:27 pm

I should have mentioned I am working on a 78 Spyder. The 74 in my user name is the year I graduated High School.

I can fabricate or modify a torque arm pivot. Just trying to get an idea of what I need to buy vs what I need to make.
Last edited by mikebrow74 on Mon Aug 27, 2018 10:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Swap Saginaw 4 speed to World Class T5

Postby avewhtboy » Thu Jun 28, 2018 11:45 am

I installed a T5 in my Vega its an early model so no torque arm to deal with.

I used the stock T5 bellhousing and tranmission from a Camaro. I used the stock slave cylinder from a Camaro as well.

For the pedal I used a Wilwood master cylinder attached to the stock pedal. My fusebox had been relocated so as not to interfere with the master cylinder for the clutch. One other change I had to make to use the slave cylinder was changing to shorty Sanderson headers.

Also the parking brake had to be move rear ward.

I have a build thread here with some info regarding the install
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Re: Swap Saginaw 4 speed to World Class T5

Postby 70's Flashback » Wed Aug 29, 2018 9:52 pm

In my 76 vega, from a TPI'd ZZ4 V8 I run a 90 T5 trany from an RS Camaro (which ALL Camaros had World Class spec from 89 on till 02 BTW) This has a more relaxed 5th gear but in the lighter Vega actually is benefit for higher top speeds. This was a bolt in using Monza V8 motor plates, 78 Monza bellhousing with vega stock cable clutch, STOCK length 98 Camaro aluminum driveshaft, into a stock rearend (modified with Eaton posi and S10 axles). I flipped the stock cosworth trany mount around (which set the trany mount bolt holes back a few inches) and stuck a couple of 1/2" spacers between it and the floorpan for proper pinion angle. I use the stock cosworth torque arm un modified, but fabricated a mount for it to "slide" on the trany. I also had to fabricate an angled spacer to bolt the trany to the crossmember as the Camaro had it tilted a few degrees for clearance issues (yet in a VEGA it fits in perfect straight up and down!) Literally - ALL GM parts off the shelf aside from the custom angle mount! I was amazed that from the engine to the rearend assembly is the exact same length as a 3rd generation Camaro (1982-92). I don't recall ever hearing anyone using a stock length Camaro driveshaft before - but its all bolt in using 3rd generation Camaro T5 and driveshaft!
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