Converting AOD into t5

T-5 is going to consume less HP between the flywheel and rear wheels than the AOD, though I can't recall the exact percentage that it uses. The only trade-off is that the AOD tends to be capable of holding more power in the long run (likely because it "eats" more power), so if you plan on building the motor up significantly and flogging this thing a lot, I'd stick with the AOD you've already got.

That said, the major components (that I can think of right off hand) that you'll need:

- T-5 or T-56 donor tranny
- manual brake and clutch pedal assemblies
- clutch switch
- decent clutch kit (King Cobra, mayhaps?) and flywheel ... no point in bothering with a used set
- OEM clutch cable (do NOT get an adjustable)
- a reputable aluminum clutch quadrant and firewall adjuster
- ECM from a T-5 equipped '86-'88 Mustang (unless you plan on converting to Mass Air, instead of speed density)
- a decent aftermarket shifter assembly (Hurst Billet Plus, Pro 5.0, or similar)
- Shifter boots (top leather and lower rubber) and related trim bits for console

I'm sure there's a couple other details in there that I'm forgetting, but those are most of the biggies. The crossmember's the same, the tranny mount's the same (although it wouldn't hurt to upgrade to a poly mount at the same time), and the driveshaft's the same. Pretty sure that the speedo cable and VSS are the same, but the speedo gear is (I think) is another story - same tooth count, but different gear (at least the part numbers are different between T-5 and AOD listings).

Umm ... what else am I forgetting? My AOD - T-5 conversion was already done before I obtained my current car, so I can't really offer too much detail as far as swapping the pedals and minor electronics go, but the rest is pretty much "remove AOD bits, install T-5 bits, enjoy." Hope this helps.

AOD's can be made to handle power, but it's pricey, and the T-5 can also be modified to take the beating that most of us put our poor trannys through, but it's also expensive. It's usually cheaper to mod an auto though-sadly enough, i think there are places that offer up built AOD's minus a converter for about $1200 or so with Kevlar bands, good clutches and steels, better input shafts, etc.

a plain jane T-5 runs about that much brand new, and to mod one to take the beating is pretty costly, they put in straight cut gears instead of the helical cut

as for how much you could get...not sure, start looking how much people are asking on there as a historical reference.