Swap to beefier 5-speed, or up to a 6-speed?

[Bill Cool]

Last summer I blew 2nd gear in my T5 (4th time I think in 6 years). I was just going to garage the beast until I had enough money to totally restore her, but I just can't not drive it for that long

I don't want to go with a stock T5. I know there's a T5 WC, but I can't remember what the difference really is. Also, I've always liked the idea of having an extra OD (I do a lot of hwy driving, have 3.55's, and full exhaust)...but that may be cost prohibitive at this point.

What would y'all suggest?

 

[89stangWhiz]

im interested in opinions on a 5 vs 6 myself. I put a Tremec TKO in 2+ years ago, and have recently wondered if maybe i should have gone with the 6 speed. I do enjoy my tranny tho. But still begs the question, especially with the rediculous amounts of highway driving i did back then.

But on the other hand,i do 80mph at about 2000 rpm.... Would a 6th gear really be much more practical? I really get great mileage in the 75-80 mph for 4 hours straight range as is.

 

[Mike92GT]

6 speed is nice, but you'll be spending around $3000. You could do a Tremec 500 / 600 and save a few hundred $. Plus the Tremecs have a higher torque rating, unlees you get the Viper spec T56, which is considerably more expensive.

 

[Bill Cool]

whiz - what are the benefits of the TKO over the regular T5? What gears do you have, and what kinda mileage to you get on the hwy? Any opinions on the TKO vs. stock?

Mike - what are the benefits of a Tremec 500? 600? The difference between the two? It's been a while since I was really into the Stang scene, and I don't recall those being options when I was really into it...

 

[jgfiveoh]

87 GT your car should already have a world class T5 in it.

 

[Bill Cool]

Howso, jg? Why are they world class if they're just stock replacements? Again, forgive me if these are ignorant questions, it's been a while...

 

[Mavrick]

Stock Mustangs came with "world class" T5's after a certain year.. 85 I think it was.

6 speed would be sweet!

 

[Bill Cool]

Stock Mustangs came with "world class" T5's after a certain year.. 85 I think it was.

6 speed would be sweet!

Interesting... I probably knew that...
In any case, back to the recommendations!

 

[Designie]

I bought the the T-56 a couple years ago. I love it. It's very strong, and shifts smooth. I blew up my WC T-5 in no time.

The problem with the T-56 is that the 6th gear is not much different from a T-5. .62 versus .63. That doesn't change my highway RPM much, but I bought it mostly for strength and smoothness.

I think the viper T-56 gets a lower 6th though.

 

[Skoobie]

I was just looking through the new 5.0 and they were showcasing a T-5 rebuild/upgrade. The company they were working with was selling reconditioned T-56 for $1700

 

[bynummustang]

I'd say TKO or a "Z" T-5.

 

[Aliate X]

I went from stock T-5 to a TKO 600 and the difference is night and day. I broke mine in for what seemed like the right amount of time, yeah I layed into it a few times, but never any hard shifts during break in, the thing is a little notchier than stock when your driving around normally, no different really than any transmission behind a V8, Ive yet to miss a shift due to the transmissions fault. (sometimes people pull the shifter more towards their body than straight back and then blaim it on the transmission) The 2nd to 3rd shift is almost hard to miss, the spring is very tight compared to stock. Built in internal stops are also nice. The shifter that comes with the TKO's made my pro 5.0 on my T-5 look like crap.

I also have the road race option which I cant say was the best idea with 4.10s. The road race option changes the O/D to .82.

 

[2000xp8]

First off, if you are breaking that many tranny's with the parts in your sig, something is wrong. What type of clutches are you using? You may be using something with too much grip, there are alot of T5 breaking clutches out there.

The 6 speed is basically a novelty item, it's cool, but doens't serve a real purpose. Cost a bit more too.

The TKO 600 has a .62 OD, that's plenty for highway driving, but it will not enjoy highway racing, the shift from 4th to 5th drops you out of the powerband.
Also first gear is like a 2.87, which is long as hell, too long for my taste.

If i had to do it again, i probably would get a TKO 500, instead of the 600. With as close to stock ratios.

 

[Sicarius428]

I am still breaking in my TKO600 and so far I am very pleased. The shifter is a bit stiff but hopefully that will break in some. I was also considering the T56 but for the price and performance the TKO 600 was a better buy for me. The T56 is a bit more money but also 25 percent weaker. It also weighs about 25 lbs more... which for my fat ass really doesn't really count anyways. The real gain is the .8 5th gear. The final drive ratio is about the same so you will get about the same highway mileage as a T5 and TKO(non race). The TKO600 install was pretty strait forward so it really went in without a hitch(modified the exhaust hanger which took some thinking and about 5 minutes of cutting). I purchased the HPM crossmember to make things easier... In total out the door to my front step the TKO 600 with AL bell, Mcloud 26 spline disk(already had a centerforce pressure plate) HPM crossmember, GM synchromesh and yoke was 2500 dollars. T56 kit starts at 2700 so in the end its probably closer to 3k. The 2.87 first gear on the TKO600 is a little long but I have some 3.55s sitting on the shelf that should take care of it. I havn't jumped on it to see what it really feels like either... these are the longest 500 miles I am ever gonna have to drive but I'll probably get great gas mileage.
kevin

 

[Bill Cool]

By "the TKO600 makes first gear long," what do you mean? In all my years of car-dom, I've never understood that phrase...

2000xp8 - I think the real problem is that I often start out in 2nd gear. First gear goes by so quickly (in normal driving, I shift at 2K) with the 3.55s, so probably 1/3-1/2 the time I start in 2nd. As far as clutches, I used to run the FMS HD clutch kit, but now I've got a SPEC (I think Stage 1) on there...

 

[MeanMussy]

Go w/ the TKO.

 

[2000xp8]

By "the TKO600 makes first gear long," what do you mean? In all my years of car-dom, I've never understood that phrase...

2000xp8 - I think the real problem is that I often start out in 2nd gear. First gear goes by so quickly (in normal driving, I shift at 2K) with the 3.55s, so probably 1/3-1/2 the time I start in 2nd. As far as clutches, I used to run the FMS HD clutch kit, but now I've got a SPEC (I think Stage 1) on there...

When i say long, i mean it's physically long. Picture taking out your 3.55's in exchange for 3.08's, just for first gear.

I got used to it, but i still don't truely like it.

 

[89stangWhiz]

whiz - what are the benefits of the TKO over the regular T5? What gears do you have, and what kinda mileage to you get on the hwy? Any opinions on the TKO vs. stock?

Um, I just have my stock gears (whatever that is in my 89 vert.). The TKO has much beefer gears than the T-5. I can feel the strength difference.
More importantly, I didnt lose ANY mileage from the gear ratio's, if anything i might have gained. I get around 23-24 mpg on the highway. Thats better than some new 4 cyclinder cars.

Lol, in fact, my first car was a 91 cavalier, and the mustang gets better gas mileage than that poor little 4 cyclinder did!

 

[89stangWhiz]

The 6 speed is basically a novelty item, it's cool, but doens't serve a real purpose. Cost a bit more too.

Not that I am arguing or agreeing. But now im curious to the comparison of the gears. Anyone know offhand, especially like comparing the TKO's 5th gear to the 56's 5th and 6th?

Wouldnt it be nice if you could just test it out for a week instead of just picking one for $$$ and wondering about the rest, lol.

 

[tunedin302]

A point mentioned by 2000 is that the 1st gear in the 600 is longer. This coupled with the fact that the tranny is heavier than the stock one will result in your car being slower than it stands with the stock trans. The 500 is very close numerically to the stock tranny. From your mods, you do not need the Viper spec 6 speed. If highway miles are really your concern, keep your 3:08 gears and get the 500.

Here are the gearing options for the 500 and 600:
http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English/products/TKO.asp