More T-5 swap questions

[bdepedro]

First off, I apologize if some or all of these questions have been discussed in prior threads but I just want to sure of these specific things before getting going.

I'm switching from a 4sp toploader. It has a NHRA bellhousing (Lakewood?) and I would like to keep it with the swap. I know there are kits out there w/ adaptor plates to complete this. I also know that this would allow me to keep my clutching linkage alone for now. I may convert to hydraulic down the road.

1st question: Are there any down sides to keeping the toploader bellhousing w/an adapter as opposed to using a T-5 bellhousing?

My car has a 289 that is currently under 350hp and if I ever have to replace my engine I'll probably not exceed much over 400hp.

2nd question: Which T-5 should I use? If the answer is a World Class T-5, were they the only ones that were used w/ V8s?

A friend of mine has a T-5 in his Mach1 and wound up changing his rear end gears to 3.00s because the 1st gear is so low.

3rd and final question: Is there a T-5 that has a first gear similar to the toploaders 1st gear and in what cars did they come?

Thanks in advance and again sorry for being redundant.

 

[Z06killinSBF]

Go to http://www.allfordmustangs.com/Detailed/349.shtml to answer some questions.

 

[88gt]

world class t-5's a re good, but, keep in mind a heavy car with the power numbers you are predicting would result in upgrading the t-5 fairly quick. I would go with a stout 4 speed or tko if you must have a 5 speed.

I have to ask...why a 5 speed with 3.00 rear gears? I had an 88 GT with a t-5 and 3.55's...ran great...

 

[bdepedro]

world class t-5's a re good, but, keep in mind a heavy car with the power numbers you are predicting would result in upgrading the t-5 fairly quick. I would go with a stout 4 speed or tko if you must have a 5 speed.

I have to ask...why a 5 speed with 3.00 rear gears? I had an 88 GT with a t-5 and 3.55's...ran great...

The engine is probably @ 350hp now and I have no plans to up it at this point. If something catastrophic were to happen where I need to replace it I would probably build a slightly higher powered engine of up to @ 400hp. So I would like to use a trans that would support either.

I actually have 3.50s (changed from 4.11s) and a 4spd toploader. I use the car for quite a few cruises and it's difficult to run w/ a large group when they are traveling at 65-70mph and I'm running over 3Krpm. That's why I need the 5spd, for the overdrive.

 

[bdepedro]

Go to http://www.allfordmustangs.com/Detailed/349.shtml to answer some questions.

OK, looks like the only factory T-5s that are rated to handle the torque needed are the World Class that came in the 5.0s which all used a 3.35 1st gear. I don't see any World Class factory units that had the 2.95 1st gear.

So, I either used a Non-World class that would not be as durable or I use a World Class that has a too low 1st gear. Are there any other options other than aftermarket trans ($$$) to get the World Class trans w/ a higher 1st gear?

Also, does anybody know of any reason against re-using my toploader bellhousing w/ an adapter?

 

[68stang351]

Why is the first gear so bad for you? You can easily take off in 2nd with a T5. Alot of people normally do that anyways.

 

[bdepedro]

Why is the first gear so bad for you? You can easily take off in 2nd with a T5. Alot of people normally do that anyways.

Yeah, my buddy does that with his. It would be nice to simply have a reasonable gear for 1st. You can start in 2nd but I'm sure that puts additional wear on the clutch over time and if I'm going to do that wouldn't it be similar to simply changing my rearend gears to 3.00 or less? My goal here is to add top end without loosing bottom end. I thought a T-5 swap would do that.

 

[CraigMBA]

Put the tremac with the 2.25 first gear in it with 3.89s or 4.11s. It's what I wish I'd done.

And now that I went to look for the PN, I can't find it. Maybe it never existed.

http://www.moderndriveline.com/Technical_Bits/tremec.htm

 

[mrmustangman357]

thegearbox.org sells a 2.95 first gear set that is OE on the T5z. this can candle your power. Also get a good rebuild kit with carbon fiber blockers and you will have a nice upraded t5. if you don't powershift or grind gears, they can withstand a decent amount of power

 

[bdepedro]

CraigMBA: I don't believe the World Class w/ the 2.95 1st gear was a factory item Ford trans. I have seen aftermarket T5s with the higher gear set.

MustangMan: That would be great but I was planning on buying a rebuilt trans all ready to install. I guess one option would be to buy a trans that needed rebuilding and buy the gear set and have someone rebuild it for me. If it is not too hard to do I could rebuild it myself. Any advice for or against a first timer? Or what should I expect to pay to have someone else do the work? Working w/ a pretty limited budget.

 

[CraigMBA]

CraigMBA: I don't believe the World Class w/ the 2.95 1st gear was a factory item Ford trans. I have seen aftermarket T5s with the higher gear set.

Most folks, associate the term "World Class" as meaning the best, however world class T-5 were introduced in 1985 as stated ealier. The T-5z is a 1993 Cobra T-5 with 2.95 first gear set and .63 over drive.

http://www.moderndriveline.com/Technical_Bits/t5_history.htm

 

[bdepedro]

That is exactly what I need! Now if I can only find one for a reasonable price. I seached on e-bay and found none now but I'll keep looking.

Is the T-5z any different than any other T-5 in terms of installation kits, etc...?