How to tear apart a t5z?

Kevins89notch5.0

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Jan 1, 2000
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So I'm sitting here deciding what to do with my 89. Its basically 500rwhp, just not tuned. That, and I sold my tremec 600(which shifted like crap) to help buy my 93 cobra a little over a year ago. Since then I tossed in a factory replacement flywheel, clutch, and its original t5. I've been driving it more and more recently as its only about 2-3 miles each way to campus. I've been thinking more and more about the fact I need to get another tremec under her. Just this evening, it hit me. I have this t5z sitting here I picked up for free due to a blown 3rd gear. Why not get it rebuild(should be less than $500), toss in a mid level clutch, and be done with it. If I blow it up a year from now, oh well. Better to do that, then blow $1500 on a new trans setup, have it shift like crap, and then break it.

So, I need this t5z rebuilt. Someone at a local forum said they can do it, but the cost depends on what I need. Any guesses? It was under a 450rwhp car, and mid way through 3rd at WOT, I am told 3rd gear blew out. So, I know I at least need a new third gear. What else should be replaced since its getting rebuilt?

I can tear it apart and get pics if someone tells me how to do it. I could just start removing bolts, and yanking on things, but I don't know if thats the best idea.
 
pretty simple to take apart for inspection.

Remove shifter
Remove the block on the shaft. There is a small pin that holds it in place. There will be a spring and steel ball underneath this block. Do not lose these.
Remove all the bolts connecting the tail shaft cover to the main case.
Slide tail shaft housing off.
Remove all bolts holding down the top cover. The top cover cannot be lifted straight up as the reverse lever prevents this.
Slide the cover to the passenger side (Might be the driver's) first, then lift up. Voila.
 
pretty simple to take apart for inspection.

Remove shifter
Remove the block on the shaft. There is a small pin that holds it in place. There will be a spring and steel ball underneath this block. Do not lose these.
Remove all the bolts connecting the tail shaft cover to the main case.
Slide tail shaft housing off.
Remove all bolts holding down the top cover. The top cover cannot be lifted straight up as the reverse lever prevents this.
Slide the cover to the passenger side (Might be the driver's) first, then lift up. Voila.

passenger side. reading that after without watching the rebuild video would have confused me. I recommend the hanlon rebuild video. very nice and informative.
 
pretty simple to take apart for inspection.

Remove shifter
Remove the block on the shaft. There is a small pin that holds it in place. There will be a spring and steel ball underneath this block. Do not lose these.
Remove all the bolts connecting the tail shaft cover to the main case.
Slide tail shaft housing off.
Remove all bolts holding down the top cover. The top cover cannot be lifted straight up as the reverse lever prevents this.
Slide the cover to the passenger side (Might be the driver's) first, then lift up. Voila.

Shifts is off. What do I do with that pin. Do I pull it out, or push it down? I'm lost there, otherwise this POS would be in pieces already.
 
Hmmm, but this pic during the shifter install shows that pin being level.

217819.jpg


This t5z may have already been opened up by the past owner, I don't know. That pin on mine is about 1/4 inch up from being level.
 
I'm also not wanting to spend a crap load of money. If I spend $500 on this, and get 2 years out of it, I would be MORE than happy. I don't go to the track ever, and I'm often on street tires, so I think this t5z would last at least a while.
 
looks like it tore up the counter gear as well. (that lower set) i believe that is one piece and you would need to place that entire set as one. the only thing that comes off of that piece is the bearings on either end.
 
To get a t5 to hold any kind of power it needs to be shimmed up.

Kevins89: where do you live? There is a guy that live about a mile up the road from my house that builts t5's and knows how to shim them up. I have one of his t5z in my car now. Still works as good as the day it was bought. It was ran behind a friend of mine 347 at the track for over a year before I bought it from him.
 
I agree. Proper shimming is key. Otherwise the mainshaft flexes. Since 3rd gear is the farthest from any sort of structural support, the flex is greatest here, physics tries to separate the teeth of the gears and when they get far enough apart or the torque gets great enough....they shear like above.

If you shim it properly, it reduces flex and keeps the gears engaged.

They also sell aftermarker mainshafts that are stonger...but are like $500!
 
Posting just for reference guys. I'll probably do a rebuild on my T5z this summer as well. The tranny is all original in my cobra. Im amazed its lasted this long but I dont want to push it. Im interested to see how your build goes Kevin.