manual transmissions, what do you have?
- Thread starter Eos
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Power Surge
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78CobraII
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The Tremec 3550 uses a different bellhousing than the T-5. I would not be surprised if you had to dimple the MII trans tunnel to get it installed. Ford racing sells one as do several racing companies like Lakewood. I believe that it uses the same bolt pattern as the old top-loader 4-speed. The late-70's 3+OD 4-speed had the same pattern, so the bell should be available used.
The 3550 should certainly stand up to anything you could throw at it.
The 3550 should certainly stand up to anything you could throw at it.
78CobraII said:
Yeah I knew that it needed a diff bellhousing. But if that's all it needs I'll for sure go with the Tremec like I planned. I am not planning on breaking another tranny! lol And as my list of engine mods grow I want my tranny to be able to handle it. So I want to do it right from the beginning.
Power Surge
Founding Member
fastmustangII said:
Megan, honestly, you don't need a trans like the Tremec unless you plan to make over 500-600 rwhp. A T-5 will be just fine in your car. Your particular problem is you keep getting these second hand units, installed by monkeys. If you bought a new, or used unit from someone reputable and had it installed by a professional, you'd not likely have ANY issues. Just my 2 cents, after all I do this stuff every day, and would hate to see you spend money that's not needed.
New Tremec 3550 = $1395 ... When I was searching for a good new T-5, the best prices I could find were in the $950 - $1195 price range PLUS shipping. I found the Tremec at http://www.darkhorseperformance.com/ (10 miles from work).
The 3550 is only rated for 375 ft/lb of torque and the T-5 is rated for 265 pre-'90 and 300 after. I was expecting, and am getting, over 400ft/lb of torque at the crank. The Tremec was bought as insurance against my abuse. I have already done in the bearings of the T-5 behind my 302 in the Mach 1.
As for installing a Tremec in-place of a T-5, all you end up needing is the different bellhousing. I used the SROD 4-spd bellhousing.
The 3550 is only rated for 375 ft/lb of torque and the T-5 is rated for 265 pre-'90 and 300 after. I was expecting, and am getting, over 400ft/lb of torque at the crank. The Tremec was bought as insurance against my abuse. I have already done in the bearings of the T-5 behind my 302 in the Mach 1.
As for installing a Tremec in-place of a T-5, all you end up needing is the different bellhousing. I used the SROD 4-spd bellhousing.
CobraIILover said:
The shop that installed my tranny were supposed to be professionals
You say I don't need the tremec now.... but I want to have something that can grow with my engine that I don't have to worry about. In a few years I do plan on stroking it to 347 and I don't want to have to buy another transmission at that time. And even if I don't do the 347 I'm still going to build it up and I want to make sure my transmission torque limit excedes my torque a bit. Just thinking...
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