T5 swap. Have questions

wow, i just re-read your post...i have a T5 out of my car less than 3 feet away from me as i type this. The part of the collar that the throwout bearing sits on is 2 15/16. The overall length of the retainer is 4 3/8, give or take a 16th. if you need anything else, let me know, as i said i have a T5 right here....cant pick it up or move it for a few more weeks...but its here.

go with a late-model bellhousing. i didn't and it's driving me nuts because i bent a z-bar and clutch rods with my wicked clutch. and i can't use a hydraulic clutch setup because the clutch fork pushes the opposite direction from a clutch rod setup. or ... go a step up and do a hydraulic throw-out bearing, in which case you'd need to make a pedal stop so as not to kill it.

and i think the T-5 adapter kits are cheaper when using a late-model bellhousing since there's no big spacer plate, the tranny just bolts right up to it.

I used the following items:

'69/'73 164 tooth Toploader bell housing, and starter.
Ram Clutch Kit (disc, pp and throwout bearing)
Ram Flywheel (steel billet 164 tooth, 50 oz-in for 5.0L engine)
Late model T5 pilot bearing
California Pony Cars adapter plate for Toploader bell housing
California Pony Cars crossmember for T5.
California Pony Cars pivot adapter for 164 tooth bell housing/5.0L engine.

Clutch linkage is stock except for pivot adaper above. Fits and works perfectly. Driveshaft was shortened 7/8" and re-balanced.

I used a t5 bellhousing and made a pivot spacer to use my old fork and z-bar setup. it works, but my zbar is mis-aligned and possibly bending. As soon as i can get the late model fork parts, i would like to switch to the hydraulic setup. i think i shortened my driveshaft 3/4". my toploader bell was 164 tooth/10" clutch. I eneded up getting a 157tooth flywheel (FRPP) and a 10.5" clutch (RAM). If you switch flywheels, make sure to get the right balance (28oz vs 50oz).

I have the t5 with a lakewood scattershield (replaces old style bell housing), Center Force dual friction clutch, and originial linkage - it came this way from the PO. If there was one thing I would change it would be the linkage - just too many piviot (friction) points and the geometry changes every time you use the accelerator. (Why do you thing modern cars do not use mechanical linkages.)