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.