Can T-5 handle 400 hp?
- Thread starter 67gt390
- Start date
No T-5 will ever handle what that Toploader will. As for if any T-5 will, in my opinion, that's going to depend on how much torque you're talking about, not the HP rating. It's the sudden application of torque, combined with too much traction and no slippage on the clutch's part, that is the undoing of T-5's.
MustangMatt1966
New Member
65ShelbyClone
Founding Member
67gt390 said:
Yeah, but only if you're making less than 300ft/lb of torque. Unless you have a Honda engine stuck onto a T-5, you'll have trouble.
Your only option for keeping the tunnel AND 400ft/lb capability is a G-Force T-5. The Toploader will take at least 400lb-ft.
Hack
15 Year Member
I think 400 hp could be pushing the G-Force T5, even. Part of the problem is that the case for the T5 just isn't that strong. Stronger gears can only do so much.
Like D. Hearne said, it depends on how you use it. If you want to drive the car hard and not break it soon, and you really have 400 hp - get something stronger than a T5.
Like D. Hearne said, it depends on how you use it. If you want to drive the car hard and not break it soon, and you really have 400 hp - get something stronger than a T5.
69Rcode_Mach1
Active Member
It takes a lot of power to split a T5 case. More than most people make, you are talking 650+ rwhp to split a case.
It all depends on how you drive the car. The T5 will survive if you don't powershift it, clutch dump, and hook up hard. If you drive it normally it shouldn't break, it is the abuse. Either way T5's are a hit and miss, some people have them handle decent power and abuse, some people break them with a stock 5.0.
It all depends on how you drive the car. The T5 will survive if you don't powershift it, clutch dump, and hook up hard. If you drive it normally it shouldn't break, it is the abuse. Either way T5's are a hit and miss, some people have them handle decent power and abuse, some people break them with a stock 5.0.
Cannoball888
New Member
A buddy of mine said that a Tremec is much stronger. If I break my T5, what Tremec will fit my '65?
i'm sure they make a tranny mount for a tremec for your car. currently i am using a W.C. T-5 and i make 428 rwhp on my juice. so far this tranny is holding up. the previous 5 t-5 tranny's did not. the tremec 5 and 6 spds are very strong tranny's. i like how 69 rcode put it it will last if you are nice to it. no dump clutch and so on. i think my fail because i dump the clutch at the drag track with slicks and doing nitrous launches.
Hack
15 Year Member
From what I understand - not pretending to be an expert, just reading books, etc. - the case doesn't have to split to cause failure. Commonly the case will flex. Essentially when the gears mesh they are trying to push away from each other. When the case flexes, the gears end up meshing in a non-ideal manner - if you get my meaning. This happens and it's transparent to the user, until a gear / the gears fail.69Rcode_Mach1 said:
I agree 100% with the second part of your post. If you have a very strong clutch and slicks or drag radials you can get too much traction and break a T5 with a stock 200 horsepower 5.0 motor. I've seen many people complain about this. Some people are just hard on things and they break T5s with every other part of the car being factory stock.
i am going to answer your original question this way;
i have seen stock non world class T5's last several seasons in cars that run well into the 10's, and i have seen world class T5's break behind stock engines. i have also seen the reverse as well. some people can break a lenco with a stock 3 cylinder geo engine, while others can beat on old dagenham's, and not break them. how you treat the trans is the most important part of the equation here. synthetic fluids, proper shifting technique, etc. will go a long way to transmission longevity. if i were in your shoes, i would use a "Z" series T5, and run something like royal purple trans fluid. i would also install a shifter that had short throws, and stop bolts, and properly adjust the stop bolts. i would also learn to flick the shifter from gear to gear, and NOT ram it from gear to gear.
i have seen stock non world class T5's last several seasons in cars that run well into the 10's, and i have seen world class T5's break behind stock engines. i have also seen the reverse as well. some people can break a lenco with a stock 3 cylinder geo engine, while others can beat on old dagenham's, and not break them. how you treat the trans is the most important part of the equation here. synthetic fluids, proper shifting technique, etc. will go a long way to transmission longevity. if i were in your shoes, i would use a "Z" series T5, and run something like royal purple trans fluid. i would also install a shifter that had short throws, and stop bolts, and properly adjust the stop bolts. i would also learn to flick the shifter from gear to gear, and NOT ram it from gear to gear.
rbohm said:
Well said.
I also think that a well built trans would help. The Gforce kit that they are selling now claims to handle 600 "streetable" HP. I took a quick look but didn't see anything about the torque, however you would think a 600hp motor would have a significant torque output. Just remember, every time you make your motor stronger your entire drive line needs to be strong enough to handle the new power. A lot of people over look how one upgrade will effect the rest of the car. If you are pushing a lot of power then you gota pay to play.
69Rcode_Mach1
Active Member
steel1212 said:
That is what I'm doing and I'm inching up on 400 fwhp. I think you would be better off with a TKO 5 speed. Don't they fit into a 67 with out mods? I know I would use one if I thought it would fit correctly.
It does take modifications, to put it in. It does on all years regardless of what some people say. It simply won't fit, Ronstang has attempted it, on all classic year mustangs except for 71-73. All of which had problems with the drive angles.
atomicpunk
Member
How do you do a short-throw shifter in a classic ? I have to admit, about the only strike against going with a T5 instead of an AOD to me is my recollections of driving a '67 with a T5 and the almost absurdly long throw shifter necessary to let you reach it. 
69Rcode_Mach1
Active Member
The same way you would do it in any other car. its only 4 bolts. Sometimes though on the classic it doesn't line up with the shifter hole that well so you may need to trim the hole to access the bolts. I just installed it before I put the tranny in.
After just rebuilding my T5 in my 90 with a lot less than 400 hp, I would say that they don't handle that much power. It would be a shame to have that much power and have to treat it nicely so it doesn't break... kind of defeats the point of having a Mustang. The Gforce would be a good option if you already have a T5, bellhousing and stuff but if you are starting from scratch, I would suggest getting a Tremec TKO500 or 600. They are a much better platform for performance. If you are on a budget... stick with the toploader.
Kevin
Kevin
blkfrd said:
I can see what you is thinking, but with that logic I could have a 33 million HP engine and the trans mission would last for a mile.
I am sure they state lower to cover themselves, but I would be willing to bet it is a pretty fine line. State to low you wouldn't be able to sell as many, state to high, people get ticked cause they break to easy.
Like most are saying, You might get one that can easy handle 400, might get one that won't handle 300. All depends where it falls in the manf tolerances.
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