Transmission options for SVO swap

[agentorange]

I know it's typically frowned upon for a first post to be a new thread, but I didn't see much information on this and i'd like to stick my foot in the door of these boards since i'll be hard at work in the coming months.
Anywho, found an 85 SVO engine with an LA3, bigger VAM, full wiring harness, stock turbo. Everything's there. Going in an '89 Notch, originally an a4ld 4cyl. Only negative is that there was no transmission with the motor. I need some clarity on what i'm going to need to rock a T-5 out of a 5.0 on the back of this puppy. The input shaft is bigger, and there are aftermarket pilot bearing available to my understanding. Can I put a 2.3 t5 bell on a 5.0 unit and use the larger pilot or is there a fault in that plan? Will I be able to use the 5.0's driveshaft with an 8.8? Will the 2.3 bell accept a 5.0 clutch cable kit? I'd like to run a setup with the firewall adjuster. If there is any other pertinent information I should know it would be greatly appreciated!

[Stinger]

Typically 2.3 T5's are a dime a dozen because of their less desirable (non 5.0) status so it's often cheaper and easier to just go that route than retrofit other stuff. With that said, there is no pilot bearing available for the v8 trans on a 2.3 engine, only bushings (which wear faster) so the best option there is to machine the v8 input to match 2.3 specs, then it's essentially a 2.3 T5 with v8 gearing. The 2.3 bell will bolt to the trans but you'll need to use a 2.3 cable. This is ok though because you can still use the v8 style firewall adjuster and clutch adjuster as the cable is the same on that end, only the bell end is different. Driveshaft is the same for 2.3 and 5.0 T5's.

[agentorange]

Exactly the information I was looking for. Am I going to puke an NA 2.3's guts all over the asphalt though, or are they as tough as the 5.0 units? If an NA gearbox is durable enough to handle some power, then that's the surefire route it would seem.

[Stinger]

We've pushed 2.3 T5's into the high 10's so you certainly won't puke the guts all over from power.

[Strangeleak]

What about the Borg Warner 5 speed in the N/A 2.3?

[Stinger]

Same story...note I said 2.3 T5 above, not 2.3T T5

[Strangeleak]

Ahhh ok, wasn't sure if that was an oversight. That's comforting to know!

What about the 7.5 with slicks?

[Stinger]

Not a good combo above 250whp.

[Strangeleak]

That's what I thought...

[svonotch]

My question would be is there any difference between the n/a 2.3 trans and the turbo 2.3 trans is so is it just gearing ?

[Stinger]

Gearing and shifter are the only differences unless one is World Class and the other isn't (which depends on the year of each). Shifters are interchangable, the SVO just comes with a Hurst branded one that's a little better than the standard one (but way worse than the modern aftermarket options).