1999 Camaro T5 ratio question

joe_padavano · October 14, 2011, 12:39:57 PM

Does anyone know the gear ratios in the T5 used in the fourth-gen Camaros behind the 3800 V6? No, the list on this website does not cover T5s that new and no, I do not have the tag number. This is the T5 with the unique bearing retainer that accepted the factory hydraulic throwout bearing. Thanks.

roverman · October 14, 2011, 12:57:12 PM

Joe, If you cannot find the ratios, you can "count" them. Not the easiest, but doable. Good Luck, roverman.

Bill Young · October 14, 2011, 01:50:55 PM

Joseph, this site lists the ratios for a 1995+ F body V6 trans. http://www.f-body.org/gears/
1st 3.75
2nd 2.19
3rd 1.41
4th 1.00
5th .72

joe_padavano · October 17, 2011, 01:26:30 PM

"Joe, If you cannot find the ratios, you can "count" them. Not the easiest, but doable. Good Luck, roverman."

Yeah, see, funny thing. I'd like to know the ratios BEFORE I buy one... ;-)

"Joseph, this site lists the ratios for a 1995+ F body V6 trans."

Yeah, I saw that. Unfortunately, 95 was the last year that the 60 degree V6 was available, and it also used the external slave cylinder, not the integral hydraulic throwout bearing, so I don't know if the transmissions are the same or not. I've found lots of sites that list the trans ratios for 95-96 Camaros, but none that explicitly talk about the 99-up cars.

Bill Young · October 17, 2011, 04:16:55 PM

I took the listing of 1995+ as inclusive of the later models as well. Dont' know for sure, but I can't see any reason why they'd change the ratios for the V6 cars 60 degree or not. Displacement and power were about the same for the 3800 powered cars as the 3.4.

joe_padavano · October 22, 2011, 03:09:25 PM

"I took the listing of 1995+ as inclusive of the later models as well. Dont' know for sure, but I can't see any reason why they'd change the ratios for the V6 cars 60 degree or not. Displacement and power were about the same for the 3800 powered cars as the 3.4."

GM and Ford both changed the ratios in their T5s over the years when used behind the same V8s, so there's also no reason to assume that they DIDN'T change them behind the V6s, especially since the two V6 motors likely have different torque curves. Before I spend the money, I'd like to be sure. I usually get burned when I ASS-u-me...

ex-tyke · October 23, 2011, 09:57:18 AM

Joe, take a trip down to your neighbourhood Chevy dealership and ask the guy behind the parts counter to look up the ratios in his service parts catalogue.

roverman · October 23, 2011, 11:25:29 AM

Joe and clan, old "swap meet" trick, mark the input shaft/collar and the output shaft/tailhousing. Put in 1st gear and count turns of input to = (1) turn of output. You could also check all other gears, same way. Checking 1st and 5th, should tell you which box ? Good Luck, roverman.

joe_padavano · October 24, 2011, 12:34:39 PM

"Joe and clan, old "swap meet" trick, mark the input shaft/collar and the output shaft/tailhousing. Put in 1st gear and count turns of input to = (1) turn of output. You could also check all other gears, same way. Checking 1st and 5th, should tell you which box ? Good Luck, roverman."

Yeah, unfortunately still tough to do when the trans is on ebay...

On the other hand, the Chevy parts counter suggestion is a good one, thanks.

garylum · November 16, 2011, 12:36:00 AM

From what I can tell, the 3.8's are the same as the 93-95.

This is what I found, this page will let you choose the base model and gives you the RPO code for the manual trans (m49)
http://www.camarosource.ca/camaro_info_db/variation.php?year=1999&bmid=194

This page give the gear ratios for various GM transmissions

http://mechdb.com/index.php/General_Motors_gear_ratios

The bell should be different for sure. The 3.8l is a 90 degree motor and the 3.4l a 60 degree

mgb260 · November 16, 2011, 02:26:45 AM

Actually, bellhousing pattern is the same but 3800 has the starter on the other side like a FWD.Compared to the RWD 3.4.

garylum · November 16, 2011, 07:47:55 PM

Hmmmm.. you look familiar Jim. Have I met you someplace else?

mgb260 · November 16, 2011, 11:53:22 PM

Hey Gary, I get around! You sound familiar too. What's your story/build,other forum?

garylum · November 17, 2011, 12:06:17 AM

Oh, I've been hanging around mgexperience for awhile. Getting ready to do a 3.4l swap into my b. Ended up over here while researching newer t5's that might work for me.

mgb260 · November 17, 2011, 12:37:14 AM

Gary, 93-95 Camaro bell has Ford pattern. The newer Mustang V6 T5 are pretty common. You can change out the input shaft or use a 1" spacer between tranny and bell,and use Ford 2.3 clutch disc .

garylum · November 18, 2011, 12:12:45 AM

Interesting. How does the shifter line up? Do you have to bend it like the camaro t5? I'm guessing you need use a HTOB with it?

mgb260 · November 18, 2011, 12:26:58 AM

If using the Camaro bell with tilt you would have to bend the shifter. If you use Brian's HTOB you would use the Camaro bearing retainer or turn down the diameter of the Ford one. There was a thread on MGExperience on using the Ford T5. If you want to be different you can also use Jeep Wrangler 2.5 bell(same GM V6 pattern) with small pattern Toyota W55 and W58. Or 2.5 Dodge Dakota for large Toyota pattern R154 Supra or Colorado/Canyon tranny. I don't have the notes handy but have info on both boards if you search.