Lakewood bellhousing?

[6Stang7]

Will a Lakewood bellhousing bolt up to a T-45? The bellhousing in on a 4 speed top loader if that makes a difference.

-Shaun

 

[1320stang]

Will a Lakewood bellhousing bolt up to a T-45? The bellhousing in on a 4 speed top loader if that makes a difference.

-Shaun

I don't believe so. Check Summit or Jegs, if they've a different part number, then no. But I'm 99% sure that you need a T-5 Lakewood bellhousing.

 

[6Stang7]

There are three in Summit that I see. One for 1965-1978 Ford 289-302-351C/W, 6 bolt; 1983-93 Mustang 5.0L with stock 5 speed; and 1979-93 Mustang/Capri with 302/5.0L and factory 4 speed, Tremec 5-speed, and Richmond 5- and 6-speed. So it looks like the bolt patteren from the tranny to the bellhousing would be the same on all of those, but since it doesnt list a T-45, does that mean you cant bolt it to it?

-Shaun

 

[gp001]

I think you are outa luck

Borg Warner T-45 transmissions were only used behind 4.6L single and dual over head Mustangs from 1996 to 1999. Tremec, in 2000, replaced the T-45 with the 3650 which is very similar in design. The T-45's design is very much like the T-56 six speed transmissions. In fact the T-45 and T-56 share many of the same parts. It has single rail gear selector and carbon lined steel synchro rings making it a smooth shifting transmission at high rpm's. The gears are larger and stronger then a T-5 and about the same as a Tremec 3550 in size. The T-45 is the first transmission in the B/W -Tremec lineup with a built-in bell housing so it can not be exchanged. This limits the T-45 to 4.6L mod motors as the bolt pattern is different than a Windsor push rod motors.

T-45 from 1996-98 GT are different than the Cobra Mustangs. The transmission mount point is moved further back for the Cobras and as well as a 8 tooth drive speedometer gear. Cobras T-45 are equipped with a 7 tooth speedo gear. In 1999 all T-45's were changed to the Cobra specs. Why this was not done earlier is not understood.

T-45 shifters are the same as the T-5 shifter, therefore, any aftermarket shifter will work on both transmissions. Borg Warner WC T-5/T-45/T-56 all use ATF oil or Synthetic ATF. No other oil should be used. Redline MTL should not be used. Redline ATF is fine. My recommendation is to use Amsoil ATF as I have used it for years at the track with great results.

 

[1320stang]

There are three in Summit that I see. One for 1965-1978 Ford 289-302-351C/W, 6 bolt; 1983-93 Mustang 5.0L with stock 5 speed; and 1979-93 Mustang/Capri with 302/5.0L and factory 4 speed, Tremec 5-speed, and Richmond 5- and 6-speed. So it looks like the bolt patteren from the tranny to the bellhousing would be the same on all of those, but since it doesnt list a T-45, does that mean you cant bolt it to it?

-Shaun

Don't you mean the bolt pattern from the motor to the bellhousing would be the same on all of those?

Any of those bellhousings will bolt onto a 6 bolt 289 block. The difference in the trannys is that those bellhousings aren't all the same depth as the input shafts are different lengths. Also the bolt pattern on the tranny to bellhousing bolts is not the same. Even on a Toploader, early Toploaders had a smaller pattern than later Toploaders, but the same input depth. That's why the early bell has two different bolt patterns in it.

As GP pointed out, I wasn't aware the T-45 had an integral bellhousing, so you wouldn't be able to put it behind a 289 and be cost effective (anything can be done with enough money).

 

[mp67]

There are adapter plates for a T5 and Tremec to bolt up to the lakewood housing, but I have not seen one for the T45.