New Guy on the block

Chevyguy · 02-01-2001, 10:29 AM

I have just scored a 90 LX 5.0 coupe for the staggering sum of $700. This pony needs a tranny ( 5 speed) just for starters, gotta find a coolant leak but in good shape. I had bought a 91 LX 5.0 5 speed brand new, drove it 40k got stolen twice never got it back the second time.

I am really a chevy guy and never had to do much to the 91 other than tuneup oil change, oh yeah, tighten nearly every bolt in the interior after buying it, it was a hatch model with the fact sunroof so it flexed a bit.

My first mission is to find a good used T-5 and replace the clutch and cable while in there. The car has just under 100K should I replace the flywheel too or should it re-surface fine. What other problem areas should I be on the lookout for ?? The good news is while the car was neglected, everything looks totally un altered under the hood, has the orginal wheels and interior, still has the ford radiator hoses and clamps. I dunno about ford guys but I dread re-doing someone elses "handy work" I went through some of that with my 74 Laguna

Just looking for advise and comments, BTW this is going to be a daily driver

------------------
Frank W
90 5.0 LX coupe
74 Chevy Laguna Type S-3
www.chevellepages.com/folingo

spinemup · 02-01-2001, 10:47 AM

first of all welcome! and secondly if i where you i would buy a good ram clutch with a new after market clutch cable and quadrant. if your looking for a t-5 tranny i got one with 40,000 miles for sale email me if you want it. bkrbkr19@juno.com

------------------

THE MIGHTY NOTCH

Chevyguy · 02-01-2001, 11:01 AM

I'm starting to drive myself nuts. There is a guy in Waltham Ma that sells modified Tremec and T-56 trannys I could swear it was called Forte's or something like that. I cant find a phone # or anything and am going nuts!!!!!!

------------------
Frank W
90 5.0 LX coupe
74 Chevy Laguna Type S-3
www.chevellepages.com/folingo

Green92LX · 02-01-2001, 11:23 AM

You could find a tranny dirt cheap if you look hard enough. I just swapped the tranny in my 89 coupe for one out of a 90 absolutely mint, drives like a new car, for 150 bucks. I also took the chance and bought it at a swap meet, but my buddy knew the guy. As far as a clutch, I had to swap that when I got my car too at 199k and I put a ZOOM in. I've put 7,00 hard earned miles on it since the swap and it is mint, I love the way it feels. I would put one in my 92 except I don't think it would take THAT much abuse, since I have all of the below goodies plus I just scored an S-trim that I haven't thrown on yet, so...My only other advice is to avoid king cobra. The clutches grab so-so, and the throwout bearings that come in the kits absolutley suck!

------------------
1992 5.0 LX, Edelbrock 6037 Heads, Cobra Intake,E-303, 1.6 Roller Rockers,65MM Holley TB, 75 MM Pro M Mass Air, 190 LPH FP w/ 24 lb injectors,BBK equal length shorties,offroad h-pipe,Mac Flowpath Mufflers, Pro 5.0, 3.73's,Motorsport "C" springs,welded subframe connectors, Ponies w/ 225/50 Nittos, 93 Cobra Spoiler

Daily driver: 89 Coupe with 205K plus, BBK shorties,offroad h-pipe,2-chamber flowmasters with dumps, cut and welded stock shifter...and it runs like a champ.

spinemup · 02-01-2001, 11:30 AM

i didn't realize you were in natick! forte's transmissions (781 647 1530) http://www.fortesparts.com he is ok but do you really wanna buy a tranny that is worth more than your car?

Chevyguy · 02-01-2001, 11:45 AM

Just talked to Forte's they have brand new T5 Z's for $995 apparently marginally stronger than a stock T-5. Sounds nice but not the way to go for now. They had some interesting info like the adjustable shifter quadrant. They do not deal in used trannys though. I'd like to check out your used T-5 smokem. Email me at folingo@hotmail.com I sent you a email also

------------------
Frank W
90 5.0 LX coupe
74 Chevy Laguna Type S-3
www.chevellepages.com/folingo

Chevyguy · 02-01-2001, 04:10 PM

Any opinions on the RAM OEM type clutch kit PN 88794 sold by Summit vs the generic Autozone Cumberland kit ?? Autozone gives a better warranty and $115.99 vs $149.99 + shipping. The stronger clutches like Zoom or the other Ram kits look nice but Zoom wants you to upgrade to their adjustable quadrant. I just want a functioning clutch for right now. My guess is that this car is only worth about $1500 after fixing the clutch and trans

I got a quote of $750 for a rebuilt T-5 from a local shop. Now getting boneyard quotes

------------------
Frank W
90 5.0 LX coupe
74 Chevy Laguna Type S-3
www.chevellepages.com/folingo

spinemup · 02-01-2001, 04:47 PM

your gonna spend $500 for a tranny at any of the bonyards around here and the milage is mostly unknown and they are probably beat up. OR you could call me and buy my 40,000 mile tranny that is factory origional and never been rebuilt by some sh!tbum tranny shop.

Rick 91GT · 02-01-2001, 07:03 PM

I personally like the Centerforce Dual Friction

but the Motorsport King Cobra clutch is a nice piece, and it will take a beating at the track as well.

------------------
My Ride Check Out My Site 91GT, Holley SysteMAX II Kit-Heads 2.02" x 1.60",Full MAC exhaust 1-5/8" Long tubes, 2-1/2" O.R H-Pipe, 2 1/2" cat back, 12" K&N Filter, RNH PERFORMANCE Ram Air, Ron Davis Radiator, Full Suspension,3:73's, Welds, Best on new motor-12.60 @ 108, no traction 1.98

Mr 5 0 · 02-01-2001, 07:31 PM

I have the King Cobra clutch and like it; never a problem in almost 20,000 miles, but I have very light mods and only stop-light race, and not often, at that.

With that mileage, I would get a new flywheel. The iron stocker replacement is only about $100. and is fine if you don't plan big engine mods or heavy racing duty.

chris91LX · 02-02-2001, 02:04 AM

I bought the z t-5 new and wish I had gone with the TKO instead. The gearing on the z t-5 is a little differen't and for the extra 2 or 300 buck it would have been a better idea to go with the tremec or the tko. That's if you end up going with a new trans. Just something to think about, but if you can upgrade, just my $.02.

------------------
91 LX 5.0
Z t-5, 3:73 gear, Vortech 73mm Mass Air, Accufab 65mm TB, BBK underdrives, Crane HI-6S Ignition, BBK unequal length headers, Bassani x pipe, 2.5" Dynomax Super Turbo cat back, Kenny Brown Super Subs, Factory Five Control Arms, Mac cold air kit and more to come!

joe4speed · 02-02-2001, 04:12 AM

If you go to www.stangparts.com they have alot of T-5's around and they are a good company from my experience... Good luck with it, and welcome!

------------------
Joe!
1988 GT, 167,000 miles!!! 13.71@105mph Check out my listing! Click here! Or my website:
www.joe4speed.com
1999 Ninja ZX-6R 10.32@135mph!

Chevyguy · 02-02-2001, 08:57 AM

Thanks for the warm welcome guys

I have made great progress planning out my attack in just one day

The only clutch that is not twice the cost of a stock unit appears to be the Ford Motorsports unit. All of these want me to convert to the adjustable quadrant,and the FMS one mentions "other modifications"

I am planning on getting a new flywheel, doesn't even seem worth trying to get is surfaced as this would be at least the third clutch on this car. The clutch is not totally smoked as the car is movable, feels spongy on the pedal but the tranny feels really smoked, I could feel clunking barley moving, my guess is blown out imput shaft as noise is made in neutral.

So new flywheel new stock clutch kit, stock cable, used T-5 ( thanks to smokemup)

I may regret not moving up to a beefier clutch later, but the car is totally stock right now, even has the silencer still

The stock stuff is half the price so I can upgrade later when more $$ is avaiable. Plus I gotta find a coolant leak since several prestone jugs were strewn around the interior although no obvious leaking was visable. Needs back tires, what a shocker

------------------
Frank W
90 5.0 LX coupe
74 Chevy Laguna Type S-3
www.chevellepages.com/folingo

spinemup · 02-02-2001, 09:02 AM

damit ! i am spin em' up...

... not smoke em' up....

p.s- ill have the tranny ready to be pulled by sunday.

[This message has been edited by spinemup (edited 02-02-2001).]

Chevyguy · 02-02-2001, 10:26 AM

Duh,

------------------
Frank W
90 5.0 LX coupe
74 Chevy Laguna Type S-3
www.chevellepages.com/folingo

joe4speed · 02-02-2001, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by spinemup:
damit ! i am spin em' up... ... not smoke em' up....
p.s- ill have the tranny ready to be pulled by sunday.

[This message has been edited by spinemup (edited 02-02-2001).]

Smoke 'em up is good too...

------------------
Joe!
1988 GT, 167,000 miles!!! 13.71@105mph Check out my listing! Click here! Or my website:
www.joe4speed.com
1999 Ninja ZX-6R 10.32@135mph!

02-01-2001, 10:29 AM	#1
Chevyguy Backyard Mechanic/Chemist Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Acton MA USA Posts: 435	New Guy on the block I have just scored a 90 LX 5.0 coupe for the staggering sum of $700. This pony needs a tranny ( 5 speed) just for starters, gotta find a coolant leak but in good shape. I had bought a 91 LX 5.0 5 speed brand new, drove it 40k got stolen twice never got it back the second time. I am really a chevy guy and never had to do much to the 91 other than tuneup oil change, oh yeah, tighten nearly every bolt in the interior after buying it, it was a hatch model with the fact sunroof so it flexed a bit. My first mission is to find a good used T-5 and replace the clutch and cable while in there. The car has just under 100K should I replace the flywheel too or should it re-surface fine. What other problem areas should I be on the lookout for ?? The good news is while the car was neglected, everything looks totally un altered under the hood, has the orginal wheels and interior, still has the ford radiator hoses and clamps. I dunno about ford guys but I dread re-doing someone elses "handy work" I went through some of that with my 74 Laguna Just looking for advise and comments, BTW this is going to be a daily driver ------------------ Frank W 90 5.0 LX coupe 74 Chevy Laguna Type S-3 www.chevellepages.com/folingo

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02-01-2001, 10:47 AM	#2
spinemup Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: middleboro,ma, usa Posts: 734	first of all welcome! and secondly if i where you i would buy a good ram clutch with a new after market clutch cable and quadrant. if your looking for a t-5 tranny i got one with 40,000 miles for sale email me if you want it. bkrbkr19@juno.com ------------------ THE MIGHTY NOTCH

02-01-2001, 11:01 AM	#3
Chevyguy Backyard Mechanic/Chemist Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Acton MA USA Posts: 435	I'm starting to drive myself nuts. There is a guy in Waltham Ma that sells modified Tremec and T-56 trannys I could swear it was called Forte's or something like that. I cant find a phone # or anything and am going nuts!!!!!! ------------------ Frank W 90 5.0 LX coupe 74 Chevy Laguna Type S-3 www.chevellepages.com/folingo

02-01-2001, 11:23 AM	#4
Green92LX Registered Member Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: North Haven,CT Posts: 336	You could find a tranny dirt cheap if you look hard enough. I just swapped the tranny in my 89 coupe for one out of a 90 absolutely mint, drives like a new car, for 150 bucks. I also took the chance and bought it at a swap meet, but my buddy knew the guy. As far as a clutch, I had to swap that when I got my car too at 199k and I put a ZOOM in. I've put 7,00 hard earned miles on it since the swap and it is mint, I love the way it feels. I would put one in my 92 except I don't think it would take THAT much abuse, since I have all of the below goodies plus I just scored an S-trim that I haven't thrown on yet, so...My only other advice is to avoid king cobra. The clutches grab so-so, and the throwout bearings that come in the kits absolutley suck! ------------------ 1992 5.0 LX, Edelbrock 6037 Heads, Cobra Intake,E-303, 1.6 Roller Rockers,65MM Holley TB, 75 MM Pro M Mass Air, 190 LPH FP w/ 24 lb injectors,BBK equal length shorties,offroad h-pipe,Mac Flowpath Mufflers, Pro 5.0, 3.73's,Motorsport "C" springs,welded subframe connectors, Ponies w/ 225/50 Nittos, 93 Cobra Spoiler Daily driver: 89 Coupe with 205K plus, BBK shorties,offroad h-pipe,2-chamber flowmasters with dumps, cut and welded stock shifter...and it runs like a champ.

02-01-2001, 11:30 AM	#5
spinemup Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: middleboro,ma, usa Posts: 734	i didn't realize you were in natick! forte's transmissions (781 647 1530) http://www.fortesparts.com he is ok but do you really wanna buy a tranny that is worth more than your car?

02-01-2001, 11:45 AM	#6
Chevyguy Backyard Mechanic/Chemist Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Acton MA USA Posts: 435	Just talked to Forte's they have brand new T5 Z's for $995 apparently marginally stronger than a stock T-5. Sounds nice but not the way to go for now. They had some interesting info like the adjustable shifter quadrant. They do not deal in used trannys though. I'd like to check out your used T-5 smokem. Email me at folingo@hotmail.com I sent you a email also ------------------ Frank W 90 5.0 LX coupe 74 Chevy Laguna Type S-3 www.chevellepages.com/folingo

02-01-2001, 04:10 PM	#7
Chevyguy Backyard Mechanic/Chemist Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Acton MA USA Posts: 435	Any opinions on the RAM OEM type clutch kit PN 88794 sold by Summit vs the generic Autozone Cumberland kit ?? Autozone gives a better warranty and $115.99 vs $149.99 + shipping. The stronger clutches like Zoom or the other Ram kits look nice but Zoom wants you to upgrade to their adjustable quadrant. I just want a functioning clutch for right now. My guess is that this car is only worth about $1500 after fixing the clutch and trans I got a quote of $750 for a rebuilt T-5 from a local shop. Now getting boneyard quotes ------------------ Frank W 90 5.0 LX coupe 74 Chevy Laguna Type S-3 www.chevellepages.com/folingo

02-01-2001, 04:47 PM	#8
spinemup Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: middleboro,ma, usa Posts: 734	your gonna spend $500 for a tranny at any of the bonyards around here and the milage is mostly unknown and they are probably beat up. OR you could call me and buy my 40,000 mile tranny that is factory origional and never been rebuilt by some sh!tbum tranny shop.

02-01-2001, 07:03 PM	#9
Rick 91GT Procharged! Join Date: May 1999 Location: Hanover, PA Posts: 1,539	I personally like the Centerforce Dual Friction but the Motorsport King Cobra clutch is a nice piece, and it will take a beating at the track as well. ------------------ My Ride Check Out My Site 91GT, Holley SysteMAX II Kit-Heads 2.02" x 1.60",Full MAC exhaust 1-5/8" Long tubes, 2-1/2" O.R H-Pipe, 2 1/2" cat back, 12" K&N Filter, RNH PERFORMANCE Ram Air, Ron Davis Radiator, Full Suspension,3:73's, Welds, Best on new motor-12.60 @ 108, no traction 1.98

02-01-2001, 07:31 PM	#10
Mr 5 0 Conservative Individualist Join Date: May 1997 Location: Wherever I need to be Posts: 7,487	I have the King Cobra clutch and like it; never a problem in almost 20,000 miles, but I have very light mods and only stop-light race, and not often, at that. With that mileage, I would get a new flywheel. The iron stocker replacement is only about $100. and is fine if you don't plan big engine mods or heavy racing duty.

02-02-2001, 02:04 AM	#11
chris91LX Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Suburban Chicago, Hanover Park Posts: 695	I bought the z t-5 new and wish I had gone with the TKO instead. The gearing on the z t-5 is a little differen't and for the extra 2 or 300 buck it would have been a better idea to go with the tremec or the tko. That's if you end up going with a new trans. Just something to think about, but if you can upgrade, just my $.02. ------------------ 91 LX 5.0 Z t-5, 3:73 gear, Vortech 73mm Mass Air, Accufab 65mm TB, BBK underdrives, Crane HI-6S Ignition, BBK unequal length headers, Bassani x pipe, 2.5" Dynomax Super Turbo cat back, Kenny Brown Super Subs, Factory Five Control Arms, Mac cold air kit and more to come!

02-02-2001, 04:12 AM	#12
joe4speed He said Member...heh, heh Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Jupiter, Florida U.S.A. Posts: 3,718	If you go to www.stangparts.com they have alot of T-5's around and they are a good company from my experience... Good luck with it, and welcome! ------------------ Joe! 1988 GT, 167,000 miles!!! 13.71@105mph Check out my listing! Click here! Or my website: www.joe4speed.com 1999 Ninja ZX-6R 10.32@135mph!

02-02-2001, 08:57 AM	#13
Chevyguy Backyard Mechanic/Chemist Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Acton MA USA Posts: 435	Thanks for the warm welcome guys I have made great progress planning out my attack in just one day The only clutch that is not twice the cost of a stock unit appears to be the Ford Motorsports unit. All of these want me to convert to the adjustable quadrant,and the FMS one mentions "other modifications" I am planning on getting a new flywheel, doesn't even seem worth trying to get is surfaced as this would be at least the third clutch on this car. The clutch is not totally smoked as the car is movable, feels spongy on the pedal but the tranny feels really smoked, I could feel clunking barley moving, my guess is blown out imput shaft as noise is made in neutral. So new flywheel new stock clutch kit, stock cable, used T-5 ( thanks to smokemup) I may regret not moving up to a beefier clutch later, but the car is totally stock right now, even has the silencer still The stock stuff is half the price so I can upgrade later when more $$ is avaiable. Plus I gotta find a coolant leak since several prestone jugs were strewn around the interior although no obvious leaking was visable. Needs back tires, what a shocker ------------------ Frank W 90 5.0 LX coupe 74 Chevy Laguna Type S-3 www.chevellepages.com/folingo

02-02-2001, 09:02 AM	#14
spinemup Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: middleboro,ma, usa Posts: 734	damit ! i am spin em' up... ... not smoke em' up.... p.s- ill have the tranny ready to be pulled by sunday. [This message has been edited by spinemup (edited 02-02-2001).]

02-02-2001, 10:26 AM	#15
Chevyguy Backyard Mechanic/Chemist Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Acton MA USA Posts: 435	Duh, ------------------ Frank W 90 5.0 LX coupe 74 Chevy Laguna Type S-3 www.chevellepages.com/folingo