Progress Thread 1989 LX 5.0 convertible - mild project

[AeroCoupe]

Best and cheapest place for T5 parts is Astro Transmission Parts.

352-343-0956
601 E Alfred St
Tavares, FL 32778

About the only way to control costs when having someone rebuild one is to have them tear it down and get a parts list. You order the parts and provide them.

 

[gkomo]

Does Astro still have the higher horsepower T5 kits like they used to?

 

[Noobz347]

They used to have their own beefed up case. I thought they went out of business.

 

[AeroCoupe]

You would have to call. Last time I ordered some parts for my T5 was 4 years ago and their prices were way better than everyone else. They did say the Tremec parts were drying up. I had a couple aftermarket parts on that order but Astro said they were as good as Tremec.

If you need a good T5 I have the one that came out of my Coupe in the classifieds as I went to a TKX.

 

[Scott_S]

Sigh .... you're not gonna believe this .

Got a call from the transmission shop today. They pulled the old transmission and were ready to install the T5. That's when I found out that the car DOES NOT have a T5 in it! It has a TKO. What the ... ??!!

I've already installed the new clutch kit. At first, I thought maybe that was still the problem, since it's for a T5. However, I talked to Brandon at LMR and he said the clutch kit would work with either. So now I need a T5 bellhousing and 28 spline slip yoke.

I know, I know .... the TKO is an upgrade. But at this point, I still don't know what the issue actually is. The smart money is to go ahead and finish up with the T5. A buddy has a bellhousing for $100. I ordered a slip yoke. Luckily, I have a Hurst shifter that will fit the T5.

I'm hopeful that this can still be wrapped up by the middle of next week. What a freaking nightmare.

 

[AeroCoupe]

So you had a Tremec 3550 in it?

 

[Scott_S]

So you had a Tremec 3550 in it?

I haven't ran the serial numbers myself. I'm going on what the transmission shop told me over the phone. They just said TKO. I'm not sure which one at the moment.

 

[AeroCoupe]

Could be a TKO 500 as well. I think those are the only two that have an 11 spline input from Tremec.

 

[Scott_S]

After the transmission debacle (I posted in my other thread. I'll update here soon), I have a guy wanting to trade me a tubular GT40 intake upper/lower and $200 cash. That's for a Tremec 3550 that needs a rebuild, bellhousing and Pro 5.0 shifter.

I already have an Edelbrock Performer RPM and I know it flows better and makes more power up top. I also LOVE the look of the tubular GT40, and I might gain a little torque.

Should I make the 3550 go away and grab it?

 

[DadLife0724]

I'd hang on to that transmission. That's just me though. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[General karthief]

That's a tough one, but if you ain't using the trans and those tubular GT40s are flat sexy. I could dig up a pic, I've had several including the one under the hood now.

 

[AeroCoupe]

The Edelbrock one you have will outperform it. Unless you need an intake why swap a 3550 for it? The 3550 is worth more than the intake any day of the week. I’d hold on to the trans and find a buyer as you will get more money that way. Just my .02.

 

[limp]

Pulling this out of my rear but arent the 3550 transmissions based more on the old TKO transmission platforms??

 

[Scott_S]

Here's the deal on the transmission:
I bought the car and assumed it was a T5.
When I started having shifting issues (2nd gear wouldn't engage when downshifting. After a clutch adjustment, 1st and 2nd would get REALLY hard to engage), I took it to the transmission shop. They SWORE it was clutch related. All new clutch, PP, flywheel, etc., and the issue was still there. They had it for months (short staffed, staff quitting, on vacation, lift is tied up, etc.). When they started talking about "I hope we can find quality parts", I decided to try and speed things up by just buying a new World Class T5. When it arrived, they said it wouldn't fit. What the heck do you mean?!
THAT is when I figured out it was a 3550. So .... new T5 bellhousing, new clutch, new transmission, new slip yoke, and shortened the driveshaft to fit the T5.

I won't be going back to the 3550. I'm more focused on dialing in the last few things on this car and starting to actually drive it and enjoy it.

 

[DadLife0724]

You could at least sell it and make some cash. Trading it for an intake that doesn't flow as well as your current seems counterintuitive. I'm sure the cash will help a bit with the "dialing in the last few things".

 

[limp]

You could at least sell it and make some cash. Trading it for an intake that doesn't flow as well as your current seems counterintuitive. I'm sure the cash will help a bit with the "dialing in the last few things".

Are you going for that 1/100 of a second faster at the drags?? Or do you want the COOL looking intake ( with more lower end torque you said) that would make your car faster on the street?? Let me think

 

[DadLife0724]

Valid points