I am planning a 3800 turbo swap and I am can't decide which 5 speed transmission to use. It is said that the f23 can only withstand 170 ft-lbs of torque, is this accurate? What would be the best 5 speed to use?

The F23 is arguably the sturdiest 5 speed out there.

Is there any problem with its power handling? I want to use the f23 im just thrown off by what the power handling is.

I believe the 170 ft.lbs figure is incorrect.

BV Motorsports has one bolted to a turbo 3800.
Trinten has one bolted to a small block Chevy that makes about a million horsepower. (An exaggeration, of course, but it's seriously around 400.)

I have an NV T550 (late Getrag 282) bolted to my 4.9. It's only about 220 HP, but it's a torque monster. Probably ~300 ft.lbs. Haven't broken anything yet.

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 07-31-2013).]

Thank you im glad you cleared that up for me!

Sorry to hijack but can ANYBODY give some info on which year cobalt had the gearing best for the v8? I think it was a 3.94 or something? All around me there are like 85% of the worlds supply of wrecked cobalts in the yards.