Looking for opinions from people with first hand experience

[BlownFiveLiter]

I'm really thinking about going with a G-Force gearset for my T-5, and I'm looking for some honest opinions of those who have used them. I'd run the synchronized kit because it's still street driven, but I'm wondering if it's really worth it, or not? I really don't want to drop $1000+ on the kit and be dissatisfied with it, or regret not saving a bit more to go with a TKO 500 or 600. Right now, the TKO is out of my pricerange, but for the sake of argument, those running one of those, do you wish you had gone a different route and saved the cash? Gotta make this thing be able to handle some power, since my T-5 is hurting already, and with my mods, the first time I really grab second or third, I'm afraid I'll be replacing it.

 

[GTA_V6_Mustang]

Go with the G-force t-5 its lighter and can hold 650lbs torque. I am going to that and so is a buddy of mine with a turbo fox. And I know a few ppl here are using it with no complaints.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

It's something I'm definitely considering, but I'm also keeping an eye out for deals on the TKO transmissions. Buying anything used like a transmission always makes me a bit weary, so dropping a couple grand on the trans alone, then still needing a bellhousing, clutch, and slip yoke makes that one seem a little prohibitive with cost. With the G-force, I'd need a new clutch disc and I could bolt it right in otherwise, with no added cost otherwise. Ah, decisions, decisions...

 

[HGFireHazard]

The TKO install wasn't the easiest thing to do, but for how it handles the power I wouldn't go any other way.

My long tube headers (MAC) interfered with the Tremec aluminum bellhousing in a spot that I had to trip off the bell, but it wasn't an important piece.

I never really got any of the dreaded vibrations that others have had. I went with no driveshaft spacer and a new 96+ FRPP aluminum ds, which already has the 31 spline slip yoke on it.

I never used the shifter that come on it and bought a Pro 5.0, and the shift stops continually move and it pisses me off. I'm about to use some loc-tite and be done with that mess. If you're 5'11" or taller it's a good shifter, otherwise I'd look somewhere else.

If I could have done it any other way I might have went with a Viper spec'd T-56, only because with the 3.73's I turn about 2,300 at 70 and I commute on the freeway 40 miles daily and my gas mileage isn't that great. I'm not unhappy at all with how the transmission feels or behaves. You definitely don't want 3.08's with the first gear ratio the TKO has though, it'll be a dog.

Matt, I hope you find the answers you're looking for

 

[Trbofox]

I did the G-force kit two years ago after my stock T5 started to fail. It is holding up just fine with 511rwhp and 622 ft. lbs. of torque. i installed it myself, it wasn't to bad just take your time with it.

 

[blksn955.o]

Great thread....

I plan on going with a G-force/Astro gearset on mine when time/money/need arrives. TKO and T56's are HEAVY and I am wanting to drop weight not gain it. Buddy of mine put a T56 in his 96 cobra and after it was all said and done it was around 4-5k with him doing the work (although he did buy a Fidanza flywheel, centerforce clutch, and a new drivshaft).

I will be doing the rebuild/install myself so for around 1-1.5k for a trans rated at 500ftlbs+ is hard to beat.

 

[SublimeRT]

I never really got any of the dreaded vibrations that others have had. I went with no driveshaft spacer and a new 96+ FRPP aluminum ds, which already has the 31 spline slip yoke on it.

You definitely don't want 3.08's with the first gear ratio the TKO has though, it'll be a dog.

I can say the same about my TKO600. I didn't have any problems with the install. No vibes either. I don't really regret going with the TKO. It shifts fine and hasn't given me any problems. Sometimes I wish I had gone with a T56 though like my old '04 had. The 5th gear was nice as it was a happy medium between 4th and the overdrive. Whereas sometimes around town with the 5 speed, I'm not going fast enough for 5th, but the rpms in 4th are more than I'd like.

And I still have stock 3.08s with my TKO and it is brutal. I can't wait to get some 4.10s in this thing.

 

[BaBysARM]

a friend of mine has the g-force gear set in his 87 with a 347. He loves it. He has the taller 5th gear and 410 gears his car is barely breathing at 70 mph.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

I did the G-force kit two years ago after my stock T5 started to fail. It is holding up just fine with 511rwhp and 622 ft. lbs. of torque. i installed it myself, it wasn't to bad just take your time with it.

That's the kind of testimonial I like to hear! Do you have some passes down the strip on it, too? I'd like to hear how it holds up with some sticky tires and hard shifts.

Great thread....

I plan on going with a G-force/Astro gearset on mine when time/money/need arrives. TKO and T56's are HEAVY and I am wanting to drop weight not gain it. Buddy of mine put a T56 in his 96 cobra and after it was all said and done it was around 4-5k with him doing the work (although he did buy a Fidanza flywheel, centerforce clutch, and a new drivshaft).

I will be doing the rebuild/install myself so for around 1-1.5k for a trans rated at 500ftlbs+ is hard to beat.

That's the dilemma I'm having. Let's just call it $1500. That's definitely hard to beat for a 500+ lb ft. torque capacity trans that doesn't require anything other than swapping to a 26 spline clutch disc. I have no issues with adding 25lbs or so swapping to a TKO though, if it means my transmission isn't the weak link in my driveline.

a friend of mine has the g-force gear set in his 87 with a 347. He loves it. He has the taller 5th gear and 410 gears his car is barely breathing at 70 mph.

I'm honestly not too concerned with where my revs sit on the street, since my daily driver duties have been delegated to another vehicle for about 5 years now. Did he go with the synchronized kit?

 

[Pokageek]

Go with the G-force t-5 its lighter and can hold 650lbs torque. I am going to that and so is a buddy of mine with a turbo fox. And I know a few ppl here are using it with no complaints.

I have this but it can hold more TQ than that. It depends on who builds it.. Go with promotion powertrain. They will take care of you and build it right. I got $250 for my core so counting that I think I paid like $1800.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

I'm planning on building it myself, using the case I already have. Probably should have specified that.

 

[Pokageek]

I'm planning on building it myself, using the case I already have. Probably should have specified that.

You did say something to that effect..I was just making a suggestion. I don't know enough to build one myself but speaking of cases I got a "hardened " case cuz that was recommended. So if you build it I would consider that as well. Yea I went synchro to, its a streeter. Only thing I didn't get was a blowproof bell. I dont intend to smoke the rims off or track it prolly ever so I saved myself $300 on that.