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Stock Transmission

  • Thread starter Thread starter 905.0Coupe
  • Start date Start date Sep 24, 2008
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905.0Coupe

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May 4, 2008
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#1
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #1
I have a 90 lx 5.0 with a stock transmission with 103xxx and tonight leaving work it wouldn't go into 1st gear so i was wondering what the life of a stock transmission is or is mine just bad?
 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end
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#2
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #2
A bone stock 5.0 can blow a T5 very easy if driven hard. If you speed shift or power shift or miss gears then it could very well be on its way out.
 

905.0Coupe

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#3
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #3
dang thats not what i wanted to hear
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
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Sep 24, 2008
#4
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #4
Does it go into 1st when the engine is off?

If so, i'd say the clutch cable could be stretched and not disengaging the clutch
 

905.0Coupe

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#5
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #5
i just put a new clutch cable on it not to long ago
 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end
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#6
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #6
Yeah they're definitely the weakest link in the Mustang drivetrain except maybe the stock clutch. When people go out and put aftermarket clutches in, it gets even worse. Typically you want the cheapest part to be the weak link, which is usually the clutch. Guys put duel friction clutches in and go out pounding gears and then break the trany.

The good news is that a rebuild is pretty cheap if you wanna go that route, but it's likely to happen again if you plan on driving it hard. Your best bet is to cough up the cash for a stronger trany like a Tremec 3550 or better. Even the T5z isn't going to keep up with a mildly modded car.

Of course, this is a generalization. You'll find people running 10 seconds in the quarter on stock T5s but they're on borrowed time. My buddy for example, he swears by 4 cylinder T5s even though they're rated at less torque than the V8 versions. He's gone deep in the 13s powershifting the hell out of them and never has broke one. A lot of it has to do with how clean your shifts are and how much power you're really making.
 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end
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#7
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #7
905.0Coupe said:
i just put a new clutch cable on it not to long ago
Click to expand...



Aaah, well that may be your problem right there. Don't take offense, but did you know what you were doing when you did it? I personally get mixed up every time i go to adjust a clutch cable so you may wanna check and see if it's adjusted right...if the clutch isn't releasing then it'll be hard to get into gear.
 

905.0Coupe

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#8
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #8
i see im not sure which one ill do either buy a new one or rebuild mine
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
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#9
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #9
905.0Coupe said:
i just put a new clutch cable on it not to long ago
Click to expand...



Ford? or aftermarket?
 

905.0Coupe

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#10
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #10
its a factory ford one
 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end
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Nov 11, 2003
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#11
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #11
I'd double check and maybe ask around for help on making sure the cable is adjusted.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
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#12
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #12
But does it go into gear when the engine is off?


If you press the clutch in, count 20 seconds and try for 1st, does it go in?
 

905.0Coupe

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#13
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #13
ok thanks
 

1990Coupe

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#14
  • Sep 25, 2008
  • #14
I think it all depends


t5 tranny's aren't as weak as everyone makes them out to be.. 25th mustang powershifts the crap out of his trans, did so on his 12.9 run. If your beating the hell out of them, they yes they will break, but i have seen many a t-5 with HCI that are beat at the track for many many miles and daily driven without any real problems
 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta
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#15
  • Sep 25, 2008
  • #15
1990Coupe said:
I think it all depends


t5 tranny's aren't as weak as everyone makes them out to be.. 25th mustang powershifts the crap out of his trans, did so on his 12.9 run. If your beating the hell out of them, they yes they will break, but i have seen many a t-5 with HCI that are beat at the track for many many miles and daily driven without any real problems
Click to expand...

+1, +1, +1, +1.

T5's have been great in my book. I had a 95GT with HCI Procharged through 3 core intercooler 11-12PSI etc......STOCK T5, worked perfectly!!!!! Track, street didn't matter. I'd give that thing 2nd gear drops at 60MPH and hammer it, instant 11-12 PSI and destroyed any car in it's path.

I have had 3 others that have been good too.


To the thread starter, shut your car off, then put it in first. It it goes in when the car is off, then the clutch isn't disengaging and you need a new clutch.
 

NIKwoaC

中國製造
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#16
  • Sep 25, 2008
  • #16
The fact of the matter is that because it is not an extremely durable transmission, a lot of factors have to fall in place for it to survive a high powered engine. It has to have good fluid, a good shifter with adjustable stops, tight assembly tolerances, be broken in properly, have the right gear alloy (this changed over the years), clean and free of debris in the main case, and of course it needs to be shifted right. I'm a firm believer that luck plays a factor, too.

Regardless of whether your gears and shafts stay together, if a T-5 sees regular speed shifting, the blocker rings are going to wear out quickly, as will the "dog teeth" on the sliders.

I've learned the hard way, as my car is on its 3rd T-5 in 6 years...
 
M

Makdaddymac

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#17
  • Sep 25, 2008
  • #17
t-5 ftmfw
there not bulletproof but come on guys they aint junk, these motors put out alot of torque and everyone here knows how to drive a manual the way god intended, which i can say mine have held up alot better then some other trans(even other ford trannies, ive seen or dealt with)
 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end
15 Year Member
Nov 11, 2003
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Sep 25, 2008
#18
  • Sep 25, 2008
  • #18
Maybe you guys drive easier than some of the guys around here...i've seen stock 5.0s blow out 3rd gear on a power shift, and on street tires at that.
 

NIKwoaC

中國製造
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#19
  • Sep 25, 2008
  • #19
85_SS_302_Coupe said:
Maybe you guys drive easier than some of the guys around here...i've seen stock 5.0s blow out 3rd gear on a power shift, and on street tires at that.
Click to expand...

MEEEEEEEEEEEEE
 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta
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#20
  • Sep 25, 2008
  • #20
Mine was bad when I got my parts car, so I had my transmission shop rebuild it. They asked what it as going to be used for because all the parts were light duty. They might be right, but like my above post, I have runn some power in front of them, and had high mileage T5's as well, and they've been great for me.
 
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