Adam, DS = driveshaft. quadrant (and pawl) are the mechanisms that pivot when you push the clutch pedal. it is above the dash and the cable attaches to it. the stockers are plastic and leave something to be desired.
I got a z rated t-5 I just took out of my 93 that works perfect & a 3 month old king cobra clutch kit, I want $500 for the tranny & $100 for the clutch.
I rebuilt my T-5 with the T5-Z setup. I've pounded the crap outta that tranny and it still feels new. If your mostly stock, then the T5-Z will be fine, plus it just bolts in. Just find a good shop in your area to build it for you.
I bought the tremec T5 which is basically the t5z. I paid a grand for it new. I bought it from http://www.ddperformance.com/ these guys were great and they have every tremec that you want to put in a mustang.
My 95GT is on its 4th transmission, and 2nd motor. Luckily, all of that happened under the previous owner (I swapped a functional AODE for a functional T5).
Well how much power can the t5z hold? I want to make sure I'm not gonna be kicking myself later on. I'm planning on building a 400 hp motor at least. It's a year long project, but I figure since the tranny went ahead and took a dump I might as well get what I need in there now. I was hoping this wouldnt' have happened so soon, I had planned to take a transmissions class at the community college here next spring. I need to take it since I see a transmission as something that puts power to the ground and thats about it.
right, i forgot...short attention span. would it be best to go with a tremmec 3550 or TKO 500 then if i plan to spray a lot sinc 400 RWHP sounds less then what i'd like to eventually produce? just asking for opinions