I started researching 5-speeds over a year before I was ready to buy. I questioned two local Mustang shops, D&D Performance and the local transmission hot shot. When my T5 finally broke, my first choice was to get a stock replacement. After talking with these people again, I decided to weigh my options based entirely on the facts...
Reasons I wanted a Tremec TKO500:
Long successful history with Mustangs
Proven strength
Plenty strong for my car
Many people have them
Reasons I didn't want a Tremec:
3 rail shifting mechanism - Hit or miss on the satisfaction on this, a lot of owners don't like the way it shifts. I personally didn't think it was that bad but I also didn't bang on the tranny either.
Extra weight (30lbs to be exact) -My car will never make 400rwhp, so weight is very important to me.
Required conversion to Fox spec drivetrain setup -moved the shifter forward in the console - not by much though.
I've watched good drivers' shift times increase at the track when going to a Tremec.
Requires a new shifter
Contrary to popular belief, they break
Reasons I wanted a G-Force:
T5 shifting characteristics
T5 form factor - bolts right up (with a new clutch disc)
Plenty strong for my car
Close ratio gearset with a nice tall 5th (2.94, 1.94, 1.34, 1, .59) - Makes 4.10's very streetable.
G-Force makes an input shaft specific to the 94-95 cars
Reasons I didn't want a G-Force:
Not much of a history - fairly new to the market
They break
I got the G-Force because my pros/cons ratio favored the G-Force. My only concern was that the GFT5 is relatively new compared to the Tremec. I was never concerned about the GF breaking because a bad driver can break anything. The form factor was more important to me than a history. G-Force knows that they are going to be compared directly to Tremec and therefore, would not be doing themselves any favors by putting out a crappy product. Tremec OWNS the Mustang aftermarket 5-speed space and G-Force will not cut a niche fore themselves by suckering people or ripping them off. I understand there is a certain comfort in sticking with the established product but I personally am one to give the new guy a chance, especially if they are willing to go the extra mile and make an input shaft that fits my car.
BTW: I am the one who made "the video" and I can attest that the noise level is nothing. The exhaust level is now louder than the transmission. That video was made the day after I got the GF installed, the tranny had like 8 miles on it. The tranny sounds loud also because the mic on the camera is on the front, boosting the tranny noise while not picking up much of the exhaust.
Bottom line, the two biggest reasons I went with a GF over a Tremec was 1)Form Factor and 2) Shifting characteristics. If these two areas aren't important to you, then get the tried and proven 5-speed - Tremec. Trust me, as torn as you are between the two, if you get the G-Force, you will always have that question in the back of your mind,
"Did I make the right choice?"
. These days it seems like the T-56 has come down a little -- Dark Horse Performance has it for about 2200 bucks for a 94/95 swap kit ... that's not too bad at all.
. (hahaha... at least when compared to a T-5)