I found a T-50 at a swap meet. Does anybody know if they are any good?

I have to play stupid here. I don't even know what a T-50 is. I found this discussion on the web. Read the "Mystery transmission" thread. Is this what you have?

http://www.team.net/html_arc/buick-rover-v8/199907/threads.html#00034

Yeah thats it. It came out of a V6 Buick. Some Toyotas and other rice have them. I've heard it's about as strong as a Sag.

I ran one of these in my Camaro before the Tremec. Odd ball shift pattern, first is over(left) and down, reverse is over and up, just like a three speed. Really low first gear, like 4:1 or so with a .80 overdrive. Real weak first gear, don't even try a full throttle with a V8 engine. Bolts up to a standard bell housing and clutch but is longer than four speeds by about 2 inches. One the first world class type gearboxes in a GM car I believe.

I have a T-50 in my kit car. I'ts bolted to a mild Chevy 350 engine. To call this transmission marginally strong would be giving it credit. Originally these boxes came in V-8 Monzas. I don't drag race my car, so I haven't blown up the T-50 (yet), but I wouldn't recommend using it behind a healthy V-8.

Terminology dictionary for this thread http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/smile.gif

T-50=GM tranny that Gary knows absolutely nothing about.

Oddball shift pattern=Anything other than the simple H pattern we understand. Don't confuse us with other stuff.

World Class type gearbox=easily destroyed by any Chevy V8. (OK for Japanese engines)

Healthy V8=Them's the ones we just love.

That's the little 5 speed that came on the Vegas and Astres (and Monzas) beginning in 1976. My 2 barrel 140 ci 4 cylinder wore it out twice in 90,000 miles. The rubber boot that seals the top of the transmission around the shifter would crack and road dirt would eat up the bearings (lots of tiny needle bearings in open races). The bearings on the input shaft went south both times. You don't want to put one behind a V-8 if you have any intention of really using all 8 cylinders.

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81Z4ME