T5 Crossmember For 68?

[horseballz]

Hi All,
One of the last feces to buy is the crossmember for my T5 in a 68 Coupe. I see 2 distinctly different units, 1 is made out of tubing and the other is made of plate. Which is better? The tubing unit looks sturdier but he plate one looks like it might provide better clearance for exhaust, which I don't have yet (oh, yeah, more feces to buy) to compare. I'm hoping for some informed opinions on this issue.
Thanks,
Gene

 

[2+2GT]

I've always been a fan of the tube-style, myself. Never seen it to be a clearance problem.

 

[woodsnake]

Are you talking about different pieces to buy? I know this **** can be expensive...

Feces - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

The guys that did my swap used the stock mount, turned backwards and then welded on some tabs to bolt back to the stock mounting location.

For the money, I would rather they had bought the tube type, rather than spend the time fabbing up the one they did...

 

[68stang351]

I used the tube type made by California Pony Cars, and haven't had any problems. I've also been using a stock replacement 4 speed trans mount with it.

 

[mikemustang289]

You can also use a stock automatic crossmember. The holes for the mount need to be redrilled and it may need to be massaged with a hammer. I've had mine that way for years. If you're on a budget, that's the way to go.

 

[tx65coupe]

I'm using the Modern Driveline crossmember. It works great and fits very well.

 

[nepm]

We offer these tubular overdrive crossmembers for sale and make them here in the USA.

1964 1965 1966 Mustang T5 T-5 Crossmember powder coated. Install an overdrive 5 speed T5 transmission in your 1964 1/2 1965 1966 Mustang. This crossmember is made here in USA - New - $75 shipped

Buy from us directly at our website: http://www.neperformancemustang.com/Catalog/product_info.php?cPath=65&products_id=73

1967 to 1970 Cougar & Mustang T5 / T-5 Conversion Crossmember powder coated. Install an overdrive 5 speed T5 transmission in your 1967 1968 Mustang or Cougar. This crossmember is made here in USA - New - $75 shipped

Buy from us directly at our website: http://www.neperformancemustang.com/Catalog/product_info.php?cPath=65&products_id=74

We also offer the bellhousing adapter plate for the T-5 conversion:
Buy from us directly at our website: http://www.neperformancemustang.com/Catalog/product_info.php?cPath=65&products_id=171

Cougar Mustang AOD / Tremec Conversion Crossmember - $75 shipped

1964 1965 1966 Mustang AOD / Tremec Conversion Crossmember powder coated. Install a Tremec or AOD transmission in your 1964 1/2 1965 1966 Mustang. This crossmember is made here in USA - New - $75 shipped

Buy from us directly at our website: http://www.neperformancemustang.com/Catalog/product_info.php?cPath=65&products_id=75

1967 1968 1969 1970 Cougar & Mustang AOD / Tremec Conversion Crossmember powder coated. Install a Tremec or AOD transmission in your 1967 1968 1969 1970 Mustang or Cougar. This crossmember is made here in USA - New - $75 shipped

Buy from us directly at our website: http://www.neperformancemustang.com/Catalog/product_info.php?cPath=65&products_id=76

Questions or Buy via Phone: 1.866.681.0543 or 603.589.2492

 

[mtaqua]

http://www.moderndriveline.com/images/threecrossmember65-70.jpg

I got one similar to the 67-70 in my 66 when I had a T5, I like it because there is fore/aft room for the tranny in case it isn't where it should be. In my case I had move my motor back a bit.

 

[zookeeper]

I can tell you what NOT to buy. I bought my tube T5 swap crossmember off ebay. Lots of people selling the exact same one and all go for about $80. When it arrived it was paper-thin, but looked nice with powder coating and all. But when I went to bolt it it place, I had to grind off nearly 1/2" off the top of the mounting tabs to get the holes to line up. It was so thin I was tempted to just cut it with scissors. Then the paper-thin mounting plate that is supposed to bolt up to the actual trans mount, wasn't even close to bolting up It was too far forward by about an inch, and offset the distance of the holes. So I had to cut it loose, cut the tube nearly in half, length-wise, box it in place, weld the mount back on, then repaint it. If I had it to do over again, I'd just fab my own.

 

[67rcks]

Fabbing your own is not that easy as it seems - to be sturdy enough, enough exhaust clearance, good looking.
You need to bend solid metal or tubing to achieve enough space for the exhaust, there no way about it.
Do you have bender?
I made some four different designs; happy with neither one.
if I had to start over I would go with redrilled stock crossmember for c4.