I have an ls1/A4 and want to swap over to a manual. i can get a 5 speed out of a late 90's (1997 i think) 5.7 vortec 2wd pickup for free. will this work without having to take the trans all the way apart? i wouldnt mind changing the nput shaft, but i am worried about the output shaft. is there anywhere i can look for the specs on this trans ( gear ratios, input and out put shaft specs..) to see if it will work and what the driveability is going to be like?

my only other option is to pay 800 for a lt1 t56 and swap some stuff over

or pay 1750 for an ls1 tranny at the junkyard and find the rest of the parts

what would be the best route here?

 

Uh... either buy the T56 or buy a parts car and pull it out. I would NOT mess with the 5 speed at all.

 

A Borg Warner T-5 out of a 4th Gen V6 can be built to handle the LS1, but you'll have almost as much money in it as getting a T56. That, and you'll have 1 less gear. However, the T-5 is about 40-50lbs lighter and takes less power to turn.
Now as far as the truck transmission you're looking at.....there should be some sort of tag on it. Hopefully you can get some information about it based on that. I'm going to wager a guess that you won't like the gear ratios in it since it's geared for a truck and not an F-body.

 

a stock t5 will be a pile of oily parts the first time you grab 2nd hard if you mount it behind an ls1.

go for the t56 or don't bother

 

I'd put in a nice high stall converter before I made that swap. They really wake your automatic up if you're getting bored with it.

1st Mod I do if I have an Auto.

SS3600 should do the job nicely (and some 3.73 gears)