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  • 2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech

T-5 Horsepower Capacity

  • Thread starter Thread starter JamesBaumann
  • Start date Start date Jun 2, 2004

JamesBaumann

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Nov 26, 2003
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Vancouver Island
Jun 2, 2004
#1
  • Jun 2, 2004
  • #1
I am thinking of starting my own 2.3T project. My question here is how much horsepower can we put through 2.3 T-5 transmissions? I'd like to hit 300 rwhp. I won't be starting this project for a while yet, and it will be a long term thing, but I'd like to gather as much inforomation about it as I can now. I'm going to take a wander over to turboford to gather some info as well. Anyways, any help would be appreciated, thanks.
 

stackz

Founding Member
Jun 13, 2001
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james island, sc
Jun 2, 2004
#2
  • Jun 2, 2004
  • #2
JamesBaumann said:
I am thinking of starting my own 2.3T project. My question here is how much horsepower can we put through 2.3 T-5 transmissions? I'd like to hit 300 rwhp. I won't be starting this project for a while yet, and it will be a long term thing, but I'd like to gather as much inforomation about it as I can now. I'm going to take a wander over to turboford to gather some info as well. Anyways, any help would be appreciated, thanks.
Click to expand...

baby it. a stock n/a 2.3 T5 is not a creature of brute force. Here's some info for you:

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2000/09/t5swap/index2.shtml
 

JamesBaumann

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#3
  • Jun 2, 2004
  • #3
Thanks for the link. What are you turbo guys up over 200 rwhp using for trannys?
 

stackz

Founding Member
Jun 13, 2001
1,352
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james island, sc
Jun 2, 2004
#4
  • Jun 2, 2004
  • #4
JamesBaumann said:
Thanks for the link. What are you turbo guys up over 200 rwhp using for trannys?
Click to expand...


T5 out of a 5.0 with the input shaft swapped is an option.

most common is a T5 from a TC.

personally, I've got 3 spare 2.3 T5's available to me (and can get more at the pick-a-part for $100 each) so I just swap them out. 2.3 T5 should only run about $100-150 from any JY though as it is since they're no where NEAR as desirable as the 5.0 pieces.

there's a guy on turboford that runs a 6speed in his though....
 

JamesBaumann

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Nov 26, 2003
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Jun 2, 2004
#5
  • Jun 2, 2004
  • #5
Thats awesome, what's his six speed out of?
 

stackz

Founding Member
Jun 13, 2001
1,352
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james island, sc
Jun 2, 2004
#6
  • Jun 2, 2004
  • #6
T56 6speed.

I think, but can't remember, that it was out of a camaro or vette. something with an LT1 pretty sure.

here's the site:

http://www.ndperformance.com/

86 svo nd on the second page is where you'll find it...
 

351wcoupe

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Jun 2, 2004
#7
  • Jun 2, 2004
  • #7
stackz said:
2.3 T5 should only run about $100-150 from any JY though as it is since they're no where NEAR as desirable as the 5.0 pieces.
Click to expand...



anyway.
Around my part of the country I get about $275 for a 4cyl 5spd and about $500 for a V8 trans with bell.


"IF" you can drive you'll be hard pressed to break a 4cyl T5 with a 2.3T. Randy on turboford was running 7.59 in the 1/8 with a stock TC trans. I went 7.8 in a similar car with an all motor 351w on slicks. I left at 5k and shifted pretty easy. My 4cyl trans lasted 1 year and was pulled only to swap to a C4.

If its 5spd already just invest in a new clutch/flywheel and you'll be good to go.
 

kiddiccarus

The first widely accepted Tranny
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#8
  • Jun 2, 2004
  • #8
what year did WC begin on the 2.3 T5's?
 

351wcoupe

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#9
  • Jun 2, 2004
  • #9
kiddiccarus said:
what year did WC begin on the 2.3 T5's?
Click to expand...
I can't remember. "I thought" it was all svo's and TC's, but I'm not sure.
 

351wcoupe

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#10
  • Jun 2, 2004
  • #10
stackz said:
T56 6speed.

I think, but can't remember, that it was out of a camaro or vette. something with an LT1 pretty sure.

here's the site:

http://www.ndperformance.com/

86 svo nd on the second page is where you'll find it...
Click to expand...

Its a nice I idea but I think its just a bit too much spinning weight for a 2.3 unless its a powerhouse to begin with.
 

mr_woodster

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Jul 28, 2003
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Jun 3, 2004
#11
  • Jun 3, 2004
  • #11
From what i remember seeing posted awhile back, '86 and up are WC T5's. As far as messing up a 2.3 T5....you gotta be pretty brutal, and your gonna need a mean clutch along with slicks.
 

stackz

Founding Member
Jun 13, 2001
1,352
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james island, sc
Jun 3, 2004
#12
  • Jun 3, 2004
  • #12
351wcoupe said:


anyway.
Around my part of the country I get about $275 for a 4cyl 5spd and about $500 for a V8 trans with bell.
Click to expand...

i get mine from the pull-a-part where flatrate a tranny is $100 and an engine is $150 and a turbo is $45. Most of the time the trannies are already on their last leg as it is which is why they dont really last long.
 

351wcoupe

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Feb 13, 2003
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#13
  • Jun 3, 2004
  • #13
stackz said:
i get mine from the pull-a-part where flatrate a tranny is $100 and an engine is $150 and a turbo is $45. Most of the time the trannies are already on their last leg as it is which is why they dont really last long.
Click to expand...
I understand that. If you're not careful that happens anywhere I guess. I was thinking if 4cyl trans are that common there then I'll come down and buy 10-15 and bring the back here and sell them.
 

jman_b13

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Jul 27, 2000
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Edmond/Norman OK
Jun 3, 2004
#14
  • Jun 3, 2004
  • #14
JamesBaumann said:
Thanks for the link. What are you turbo guys up over 200 rwhp using for trannys?
Click to expand...

using the stock t5 still. 220rwhp 300rwtq, really in truly a transmission has a TORQUE rating not a hp rating. I've beat the hell out of my transmission without any problems, and it supposedly only good to 240torque according to the specs sheet, hell my car put down 238rwtq STOCK. A stock t5 is not really a problem till you get pretty good amount of power. you'll break the 7.5 rear way before you do anything to the transmission.
 

stackz

Founding Member
Jun 13, 2001
1,352
7
58
james island, sc
Jun 3, 2004
#15
  • Jun 3, 2004
  • #15
351wcoupe said:
I understand that. If you're not careful that happens anywhere I guess. I was thinking if 4cyl trans are that common there then I'll come down and buy 10-15 and bring the back here and sell them.
Click to expand...

even the 4cyl T5's only last about 4-5 days after the car is put out but I go once a weekend when I'm not doing anything and if I see one, I pop it out. I've resold a few locally for double that heh. The thing that REALLY irritates me is that before I got my 2.3T interest there would always be about 4-5 TC's in the north and another 4-5 in the south yards with engines, some with turbos....I actually pulled a few of the turbos and ebay'd em.

NOW that I've got a damn 2.3T up and running and need parts (like a good turbo head) There's not a single one that isn't gutted to the ground out there Found 2 with short blocks but noooo heads.

I hate irony.
 

Mike SVOR

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Mar 28, 2000
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Jun 7, 2004
#16
  • Jun 7, 2004
  • #16
A stock N/A 2.3 trans is just as strong as a 5.0 trans with exception for the input shaft.

I've been throwing a little over 320 hp at it for a long time with no problems.
 
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