beating a dead horse again

[4eyegt]

Ok I know I'm a noob here so please forgive this question. I did search and found some info but not what I was looking for.


I have an 86 GT with a T5. The trans is on its last leg. I found someone with a T5 from a 4 cyl. He has a V8 input shaft for it as well. I remember reading that the 4 cyl input shaft puts too much pressure on the crankshaft thereby putting pressure on the thrust bearing. Which leads to premature thrust bearing failure. I can't find that thread anymore. Can someone post a link or shed some light on this?

 

[Cobra912]

 

[Lawbreaker5.0]

i have a t5 rebuilding manual on my documents section. its really not that hard (easy for me to say since i've never rebuilt one) from what i've heard and read. LOL

its too big to post here but if you want shoot me a pm with your email and i'll send it over to you.

 

[4eyegt]

Lol. I was waiting for that.


law breaker, I'm sending the info in just a few. Thank you. I rebuilt a top loader in school and I rebuilt a 10 speed from an over the road truck with twin counter shafts so I'm not really new to trans rebuilding. Just never done a T5 so the manual would be nice.

 

[JustA5.0]

While I can't answer your question about thrust bearing pressures, having driven with a 4cyl t5 for two years I can give you some perspective.

- What gearing do you have? With 4.10s my first gear was literally non-existant, as the 4cyl tranny already has a numerically higher first gear ratio.
- Is this a DD, or overly concerned with fuel economy? 5th gear in these trannys is too numerically higher, your MPGs will suffer a few (0.85 5th in 87 and 0.79 thereafter, versus 0.68 in the V8s).
- Do you take the car to the strip? The 4cylinders are weaker with a torque rating at 240lb-ft.
Having said this I personally didn't have a problem with the tranny while it was in the car. Keep in mind my car is a cruiser/spirited street driver at this point, and I don't give a rats about fuel economy, she's my toy. See if this 4cyl still has its transmission tag so you know exactly what's inside for gearing.

If you want to try your hand at rebuilding, might as well go down that path first. The 4cyl tranny you are considering might not be in the best of shape if it has already spent some time behind a 5.0L.

 

[NIKwoaC]

Keep shopping for a "World Class" V8 T5. T5s are built like glass anyway, but you'll be better off with a WC V8 T5, and they aren't all that hard to find. Astro Performance Warehouse is a good place to look for a professionally rebuilt unit (what my current T5 is).

 

[4eyegt]

I do drive this car everyday but gas milage is NOT a concern for me. I currently have 3.73 with a posi and I love to push it from time to time. While I really hadn't thought about the gearing change with the 4 cyl trans I was a little concerned with the power handling of the 4 cyl trans.


I'm going to keep an eye out for a cheap WC T5 that I can rebuild.

 

[Lawbreaker5.0]

What is the tell tell sign of a WC again?

 

[JustA5.0]

As NikwoaC suggested search for a WC T-5, which is more likely to be found anyways as all V8 trannies are 'WC' from 1985 on. There is a misconception that all WC T-5s are stronger than the NWC units. 85-89 WCs have the same torque rating 265 lb/ft, as 83,84 NWC units. In 1990 the tranny was upgraded with a stronger gear set, rating increased to 300lb/ft. Best bet is to find one with the tag still intact from a reputable source (people have been known to swap tags on these claiming theirs to be a 90up).

 

[54deuce]

The strongest factory T-5 that I know of is the 93 cobra or Z-spec unit with the 295 first gear. The input shaft and retainer are easy to replace on the T-5 . It is good to have the tag on the trans but the years are stamped on the cases also. But you can have a 92 case with a 87 to 89 gear set so beware of that. The thrust bearing, that is only effected when the clutch is pushed in. The only way for input shaft to hurt it would be if it is too long and pushes against the crank some how but that would make noise and such you would not run it that way. I never tried to run the 4cyl box.

 

[4eyegt]

..... The thrust bearing, that is only effected when the clutch is pushed in. The only way for input shaft to hurt it would be if it is too long and pushes against the crank some how but that would make noise and such you would not run it that way. I never tried to run the 4cyl box.

After searching for a few hours I was able to find a few posts where people said the 4cyl input shaft was longer. Therefore it would push against the crank. That was just what I read so that is why I asked here. Figured someone would shed some light on that.

Eitherway I just need a good case with a decent set of internals. I recieved the complete rebuild manual from lawbreaker5.0 so I just need a unit in good enough shape to rebuild. I don't mind replaceing a few things once I'm inside. I just don't want to have to gut it and start from scratch. I also can't afford to take my car off the road while I rebuild the one that's in it. I would rather use the one in it for a total rebuild and save it as a spare in case I beat on the trans too hard.

 

[Cobra912]

sounds good. I have a "few" T-5 trannys that were supposed to be 5.0 WC ones but I was dooped, because I was too lazy to research the tag. One was switched on me too. Where are the honest people nowadays???

 

[fiveohwblow]

Turn your fingers back towards you and stop and stare. That's what I have found when I am searching for honest people. Don't seem to find many of them these days...

 

[Mustang5L5]

I found someone with a T5 from a 4 cyl. He has a V8 input shaft for it as well.

V8 input shaft will not interchange with a 4-cyl input shaft. You need to swap out the entire gearset.


WC is not a big deal. A lot of people brag about having a "World Class" T-5. Reality is every single Mustang from 1985 1/2 through the current S197 V6 using a T-5 has a World Class T-5.

ALl it refers to is needle bearings and 3-peice synchros for 1-4 gears and it uses ATF.

Z-spec is the good t-5 everyone always confuses and calls a WC T-5.