Hey guys, just wondering. I picked up an 87 IROC with a new motor and trans, its a built 350 TPI that put 337horse to the rear wheels, and the tranny was beefed up to harness the extra power. It seems it likes to grind a little ONLY going into reverse... if i put it in reverse QUICK it goes in without grinding 95% of the time.. sometimes if i put it in 4th.. or 5th.. then Reverse it goes in without grinding. I think this is common though, my buddy's used to grind going into reverse.. do you think its because the tranny is still fresh and the tolerances are tight? Other than this, the thing runs like a raped ape, its hard to believe there is something actually wrong with the car. Is this common with T5s? Thanks for the info.

 

Every T-5 I have ever listened to did that.


I find it hard to believe that someone built a T-5 to stand up to 300+ hp though Those trannies are so pathetically weak

 

That's completely normal behavior for a T5. Always put it into a different gear before going into reverse.

 

That is common on all transmissions because the gears are turning in engine rotation, and they have to go the other direction for reverse. So when you stick the tranny in a schronized forward gear it stops the gears from rotating, and you can slide into reverse effortlessly. It is like transmissions with unschronized Low gears, you have to shift into first and then Low. Every vehicle I drive with a manual I stick into 1st then reverse to back up.
Martin

 

thanks for all the replies, and so quickly too!.. you guys rock.