Help with manual conversion

CPH89LX · Aug 23, 2026

So i picked up my 89 fox earlier this year as something to just play around with. It came with a carb'd 347 with a c4 trans in it. Now from looking at the car, it looks like it was originally a 4cyl 5 speed car and the just cut the wire harness out of it and made it like an old school no frills car.

I am wanting to swap it over to a 5 speed as I'm not a fan of the auto that's in it. I'm not real familiar with mustangs as I've spent more time building jeeps so don't really know which year's are best for doing this type of swap. Are there years to avoid or ones that are easier to swap in it? I know I'm gonna have to get a flex plate, bell housing, pressure plate and clutch, and all that stuff. Just not real sure on main trans part and which one to get.

Thanks for all the help. Looking forward to tearing more into this car and actually getting it out and driving it.

Noobz347 · Aug 23, 2026

How much torque do you generate?

Are you looking for an OEM T5 setup or something beefier?

Does your car still have the clutch pedal in it?

CPH89LX · Aug 24, 2026

Yes car still has the clutch pedal in it. Not quite sure on torque numbers. Motor does seem healthy tho. Was kinda looking at a normal t5 setup.

keel · Aug 24, 2026

T5 swap with OEM parts is definitely going to be the easiest and cheapest way to go. If you can find a crashed or roached out 5-speed V8 parts car for cheap that's probably the route I would take, you'll get everything you need in one shot and it will make your life easier. I used a crashed 1989 GT for my manual and 5.0 swap into my (formerly) 4 cyl 1993 LX hatch.

If your car started life as a 4 cyl car I would also check to see if you have the stock 7.5" rear axle or if the last owner upgraded to the 8.8" rear axle. If you have a 7.5" that is another reason in favor of picking up a parts car so you can swap over the rear axle and rear brakes.

I believe any V8 5-speed car that is 1986 and up has the upgraded world class T5 and an 8.8" rear end.

Noobz347 · Aug 24, 2026

keel said:
V8 5-speed car that is 1986 and up has the upgraded world class T5 and an 8.8" rear end.

True

KRUISR · Aug 24, 2026

keel said:
I believe any V8 5-speed car that is 1986 and up has the upgraded world class T5 and an 8.8" rear end.

The 8.8 started in the 1986 V8s. The V8 WC T5 was rated at 265 ft lbs up to the end of '89 model year. The 90-93 V8 T5 was rated at 300 ft lbs. These are factory trans numbers, not the T5Z or other upgraded T5s.

If you change the input shaft and bearing retainer you can use a 94-98 V6 T5 (rated at 265 ft lbs, same as the early V8 WC T5s) or the 94/95 V8 T5 (rated at 300 ft lbs) or the 99-04 V6 T5 (rated at 300 ft lbs - same gear set as the 90-95 V8 T5s). To not change the input shaft and bearing retainer you will need the hard to find 94/95 5.0 bellhousing - it is cast 5.0 into the housing. V6 bellhousings after 94 were cast 3.8.

keel · Aug 24, 2026

KRUISR said:
The 8.8 started in the 1986 V8s. The V8 WC T5 was rated at 265 ft lbs up to the end of '89 model year. The 90-93 V8 T5 was rated at 300 ft lbs. These are factory trans numbers, not the T5Z or other upgraded T5s.

Wasn't the 5.0 already making more torque than that 265 ft-lb rating in 1986? What's up with that??

Noobz347 · Aug 24, 2026

keel said:
Wasn't the 5.0 already making more torque than that 265 ft-lb rating in 1986? What's up with that??

Yeah but... It was hard to put it down.

General karthief · Aug 24, 2026

KRUISR said:
The 8.8 started in the 1986 V8s. The V8 WC T5 was rated at 265 ft lbs up to the end of '89 model year. The 90-93 V8 T5 was rated at 300 ft lbs. These are factory trans numbers, not the T5Z or other upgraded T5s.

If you change the input shaft and bearing retainer you can use a 94-98 V6 T5 (rated at 265 ft lbs, same as the early V8 WC T5s) or the 94/95 V8 T5 (rated at 300 ft lbs) or the 99-04 V6 T5 (rated at 300 ft lbs - same gear set as the 90-95 V8 T5s). To not change the input shaft and bearing retainer you will need the hard to find 94/95 5.0 bellhousing - it is cast 5.0 into the housing. V6 bellhousings after 94 were cast 3.8.

TEST ON FRIDAY

AeroCoupe · Aug 24, 2026

Just me but while I was doing this I would install an aluminum clutch quadrant on the clutch fork.

I have a complete T5 swap listed in the classifieds and would consider shipping. You would need:
- A clutch cable so I would suggest either a Steeda adjustable or an OEM one with a fire wall adjuster. When I say OEM I mean new old stock (NOS) as the aftermarket non-adjustable units are 99% trash.
- Flywheel & flywheel bolts (would suggest ARP)
- Clutch pressure plate bolts (again would suggest ARP)
- Pilot bearing
- Bell housing to engine block bolts (good Grade 8 bolts with hardened washers is what I use)

You may also need a VSS to get the Speedo to work. Not sure if the C4 uses one or not.

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You would also most like need the NGS wiring harness but not sure with the car being carbed and you would need the reverse light switch harness.

Not sure if the drive shaft you have will work so you will need to do some research there.

For Sale Post in thread 'Borg Warner WC T5, Stock Bell Housing, RAM Clutch Set, Double Hump Cross Member, & Pro 5.0 Shifter'

Dec 26, 2025

Holiday bump.

2000xp8 · Aug 25, 2026

What heads are on the car and what are your future plans?
A 347 with cheap or stock iron heads isn't much to worry about.
A 347 with afr or TFS heads, probably is.
And then there is the tires, do you plan on running sticky tires or summer tires?
A well done 347 with good tires may make short work of a t5 if you drive it hard.

Maybe consider a used tko or new tkx.

Qtrhrse23 · Aug 25, 2026

MANY T5s have been blown. I myself HAVE NEVER. Thousands of POWERSHIFTS logged. Lucky I guess.

Many a salesman have BEEN SHOCKED at SAID powershifting. ESPECIALLY GM salesman. Learned how to at 15. Even learned how to powershift 5th. You have to if 3.73s are in rear, racing 0-160.

First car had one of those 265lb T5s. It went boom, BUT MY DAD WAS DRIVING. Superpissed when dealership asked if racing. NO NEVER. HE DIDNT.

Same thing with the 28 spline axles. Ive seen slower 60ft cars bust one.

MY FAVORITE 1/4 strip was closed. So now I can say these things WITHOUT JINXING MYSELF.

And My TCM does the powershifting for me A6.

I MISS THAT D1 SOUND RIGHT BEFORE A 5000 RPM CLUTCH DUMP.

FYI My T5s been 30K miles with the D1 on. 100K total. Bought car at 60K. If the gas is matted, IT GETS POWERSHIFTED. Not my 1st fox, HAD 2 others. Same with them, if matted...YUP you guessed it.

POWERSHIFTED

People just assumed my bolton car running 12s was Auto by the way it sounded during a pass. Well except for the launch.

SORRY FOR THE RANT

Qtrhrse23 · Aug 25, 2026

As for the TECH. I personally vouch for the King Cobra clutch AND adjustable quadrant.

CPH89LX · Aug 26, 2026

Thank you all for helping in figuring out which trans to look for. As much as id like a TKX in there, for what the car will be used for just don't know if i can justify it and swing it by the wife. She already let me spend way more on my Jeep than I ever should have.

May just lean on the T5 trans and go down that route.

keel · Aug 26, 2026

FWIW there are plenty of guys making way more power than the advertised torque rating on T5s with no issues.

KRUISR · Aug 26, 2026

The issue comes if you start dumping the clutch with slicks or really sticky tires. That's when trans and rear ends break. If you just drive/cruise around a stock T5 can handle much more power than those ratings.

2000xp8 · Aug 26, 2026

I blew up two, the original and a t5Z.
Both on nitto drag radials if i remember correctly.
I can't remember what happened to the first one, but my hci swap (about 340rwhp) made short work of the second one.

Noobz347 · Aug 26, 2026

keel said:
FWIW there are plenty of guys making way more power than the advertised torque rating on T5s with no issues.

I'm one of those. I try to treat it well. lol

I don't know how well it will do with the new wheel/tire combo.

The Cooper Cobras are the current, "fuse".

90sickfox · Aug 26, 2026

Hey guys. Had to chime in. My 4 cylinder t5 handled way more power than my v8 t5s or my t5z. Never speed shifted it and rolled into the power. I really can't explain why it lasted so long. I have a built tko600 in my car now. Honlon Motorsports builtbit and sold me the swap package. Had to change from the t5 because i was pushing through the clutch anytime i got on it.

limp · Aug 27, 2026

Help with manual conversion

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wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

For Sale Post in thread 'Borg Warner WC T5, Stock Bell Housing, RAM Clutch Set, Double Hump Cross Member, & Pro 5.0 Shifter'

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Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done

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