hi, i need some advice, and was told this was the place to get it. long story short, i put a 95 LT1 and 6 speed in my 89 RS. i broke th 6 spd,(pre-existing damage) and decided a T-5 that i had would be cheaper than fixing the T-56 right now. well, i installed the T-5, (keeping in mind the car ran GREAT, only tranny problems) it would start, run for about 20 seconds and stop. not die, stop. it did that about three times. no noises, nocking or anything. well i thought it was the starter, thinking it was draining the charging system and killing the motor, because the starter was about as hot as a header to the touch. well, after a new starter, it won't even turn the engine over. drop everything off the back side of the crank, including flywheel, remove all eight spark plugs, and i STILL can't turn the engine over either direction. there is no metal in the oil, no coolant in the oil, and there is plenty of oil. the eingine has approximatley 18,000 original miles on it. right now i'm assuming she's seized, but i just don't understand how or why. any help is appreciated.
Justin

 

I don't think putting a T-5 with an LT1 is a good idea. The T-56 was put in there for a reason... the t-5 was used in the 305's because it was not strong enough for the Iroc 350, that's why all 350 3'rd gen's are automatic. I would get the T-56 fixed after you get the car running.

 

an LT1 should annihilate a T-5 fairly easy. Like was previously mentioned, the T-56 was put in there for a reason, to handle the 325 torque the LT1 makes.

 

Check for a broken timing chain, pull the oil pan off and check for a broken rod, make sure you don't have any broken valve springs or any other valve-train components.

 

thanks for the reply's. really, i knew it wouldn't last very long, but it is better than takin the bus. and i figured that if i babied it, it would've lasted a couple of months, in which time i could've had my T-56 fixed, and been back in business. coulda, woulda, shoulda. well, i was hoping someone would have experienced something similar, but i'll find out for sure this winter after we buy a house with a garage on it. till then, covered up in the carport will have to do. thanks again.

 

Before you condem the motor pull the belt off aand try to crank it. It could be a seized alternator or AC compressor. But im guessing it is a main bearing problem. When a tranny takes a dump (especally a manual) it is hard on them.

 

thanks for the reply Dave. i just pulled the belt off yesterday (the 9th), i haven't tried turning the engine over yet, but my alternator, power steering, and AC delete pulley's all turn easily. i agree with the main bearing idea though. it's just hard to beleive on such a new motor. dang. guess this means i'll have to tell the wife about the stroker.