How does the T-5 compare to the 3550?

Nobody

Founding Member
May 9, 2000
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Kenmore, WA
I just drove someone's 2001 GT with the 3550 tranny and that thing shifted like butter! He had his Tri-Ax set to the lower setting and it was twice as easy as my T-5 on the higher setting.

So, how does your T-5 shift? Is there anything I can do make my tranny shift easier?

Thanks
 
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How's this for "lift weights"? :D
<img src=http://www.zerort.com/mustang/parts/snap2.jpg>

So you are saying that the T-5 is just a hard tranny to shift. So there's nothing wrong with my tranny. When synchros start going bad, the tranny grinds correct? If my tranny doesn't grind, then there's nothing wrong right?
 
I've always heard the T-5 is a ticking time bomb, just waiting to grenade itself at the worst possible moment, but mine has taken a beating, and still goes strong. My car is wrecked and running squatty right now though, and sitting so much since I got my truck isn't helping.
 
zenboy99 said:
No, they're different transmissions.

I've been in the market for a new tranny since my T5 has 166,000 miles on it as of Sunday. The TKO and 3550 are always listed as two different transmissions.

you are right, i asked a buddy of mine and he says the 3550 sux too, but is also better then the T5, so i guess what he was saying if your going to upgrade might as well get the tko, heh but only way to find out if the 3550 does sux is to ask the modular guys since thats stock in the GT
 
This may be a very arrogant statement, but I'll say it anyway.

I'd take a T5 anyday over any TKO, TKO II, 3550, T45, or T56. Of course this is just in my case in my H/C/I car. In a high(er) powered situation, I'd use either a G-Force or a Pro-shifted Liberty T5. When I blow the 2-3 cluster out of my car, I'll pull the trans out, rebuild it in 2 hours, and have it back in the car. When you blow out a 2-3 cluster in a TKO or any of the other transmissions named above, and you'll won't have your car for the next week, and the "mod fund" will take a serious hit.

Sure, the T5 is inherently weaker than any of the other transmissions above, so why would I stay with the "weaker" T5? Simple - the T5 isn't weak. For 99.5% of Mustang drivers, a T5 is more than enough, and why spend the money for a "stronger" transmission when it's not needed. Spend the 300 bucks for the new synchronizers, blocker rings, shims, races, springs, thrust washers, snap rings, etc. and call it a day.

Again, this is just my opinion. Filter through all the BS about T5's being junk, and plan ahead. If you are going to build some wild race 347 motor, then yes, a stronger transmission is probably in order. However, if you are going to be staying with the stock shortblock and no serious power adder, the T5 is more than enough.

Joe
 
Nobody said:
I just drove someone's 2001 GT with the 3550 tranny and that thing shifted like butter! He had his Tri-Ax set to the lower setting and it was twice as easy as my T-5 on the higher setting.

So, how does your T-5 shift? Is there anything I can do make my tranny shift easier?

Thanks


I have a question, Did he get a 3550 (needs to get a new bell as they just came out with a bell for the 4.6 to use the 3550-tko) after blowing up his stock trans, or are you mistaking the 3550 for the 3560 or is it the 3650 that is stock in 01gt's?
 
blksn955.o said:
I have a question, Did he get a 3550 (needs to get a new bell as they just came out with a bell for the 4.6 to use the 3550-tko) after blowing up his stock trans, or are you mistaking the 3550 for the 3560 or is it the 3650 that is stock in 01gt's?

My bad, it was the 3650 tranny. Just the little time that I spent with the car had me feeling that I couldn't even miss a gear shift in that thing. So, to get back to the question...

Does the Tremec take less effort to shift than the T-5?