So did I buy the wrong T5?

Fstbk

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Sep 7, 2010
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I found a good deal on a T5, the tag reads a 155 so it looks like a T-bird turbo coupe unit. It's weird because it came out of a mustang v-8 car so it may have been a swapped out unit.

Anyway, it's at least a WC t5 but the gearing is the thing, this one has a 3.97 first gear and a 2.34 second, 1.46 third 1.1 fourth obviously and a .79 fifth.


For a mild 302 what should I expect from this thing? Is the gearing going to feel really short in the first few gears or really long or what? I am going to need to figure out what rear end gear to go with in my 8" diff.
 
My T5 has a 2.94 first and it is pretty short. I am running a 3.70 gear out back with 26.5in tall tires. My stock 8in came with 2.80 rear gear, not sure if yours is the same but maybe install it with stock gears and see how you like it.
 
I need to go out and try and figure out if it is in fact the 3.97 gear, the tailshaft is a different color and I am not certain what it is.
On one hand this kinda sux, but if it keeps me from needing to spend $700 on rear gears it could work out nice?
 
I found a decoder on line that puts the overall gearing of the car close to that of a 3.27 gear ratio rear end with a 3.35 first gear.

This may work, but I have read conflicting reports about the input shaft. I doubt I will break it but I need to find a special sized pilot bearing?
 
It almost sounds like the '83-'84 2.3L Turbo T5 with a 4.03, 2.37, 1.50, and 1.00 gear set. I don't believe it will work behibnd a V8 due to differences in the input shaft.
 
It almost sounds like the '83-'84 2.3L Turbo T5 with a 4.03, 2.37, 1.50, and 1.00 gear set. I don't believe it will work behibnd a V8 due to differences in the input shaft.

Well, no its a 3.97/2.34/1.46/1/.79. Why wont it work is the question? I have seen many posters across many forums say that, but then how do other people seem to be running one? Every thread ends with "Just run the smaller pilot bearing" and the thread dies.
 
Well, no its a 3.97/2.34/1.46/1/.79. Why wont it work is the question? I have seen many posters across many forums say that, but then how do other people seem to be running one? Every thread ends with "Just run the smaller pilot bearing" and the thread dies.

Hi! I'm not using one but seen thread where people ran those behind a 302 HO with no problem as long as you dont dump the clutch. you can find a small pilot bearing on e-bay and I think they come from ranger with diesel engine in early 1980 or you can get a bushing made to use a v8 pilot bearing. for your rear end it will work fine with gear from 2.8 to 3.25 to 1 gear ratio. A 4 cyl t5 with 3.o to 1 rear end gear it would be similar as a V8 t5 with 3.50 gear.