T5 tranny

jahen65

New Member
Sep 29, 2004
16
0
0
ontario
i really want to replace my mediocre c4 tranny with a t5 tranny, but im wondering whether i buy a new one or rebuild a used one (say from a early 90's mustang) would make a difference. i guess what im really asking is will a rebuilt one fit just like a brand new t5?
 
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so would it be a good idea to just buy a used one and rebuild it to whatever horsepower and torque im gonna put through it. or would it be better to just buy a new t5 tranny. my only concern is the total money spent on the tranny.
 
BUY NEW!!!!! I just finished my T5 conversion today with a used transmission. Back it out of the shop, put it in first and it jumps out of first and grinds a pound of gears. I drove it , starting out in 2nd , shift into 3rd , look ma, no synchros , shift into 4rth , no synchros there either. I'm so pissed!!! It is guaranteed , but I don't want to do this 10 times till I get a good trans.
 
I went with used. It was out of a 93 which has a higher torque rating than the earlier units. A lot of good it did me. Oh well, 2 arms , 2 legs, 2 eyes , 2 ears. Life is good!! It's just a car.
 
Got my used 89 trans for $30. That's a steal though. The guy selling it said it whined-- he wasn't kidding, but it's been in service for more 2 years and has been to the strip a few times.

If you are in ontario, california-- look in the recycler for a tranny. that's where i found mine.
 
It grinds into 2nd at high RPM. Other than that, it usually works good. I got the 89 cause it was cheap. I would like to get a 90+, or better yet a cobra one. I really think the ratios are better in the cobra tranny (2.95 1st, .63 5th). The guy delivered it for free since he worked near my parents' house in LA. I had to get a bell for it and I also bought a B&M Ripper shifter. I highly doubt you will find one for $30 though.
 
why did you need to get a new bell? what engine did u use it on? i have a 289 but it is not the origional and i dont know what year it is. yeah thanks for telling me about the recycler i actually found a lot of t5s cheap, what do u think about getting a t5 off of ebay?
 
If you get one on ebay, shipping is gonna be a lot. There are some great deals in the recycler if you look for awhile. I had to get a bell cause for $30 the guy didn't include one with the tranny. The bell was $40 from a different guy on the recycler.

I had to buy a new flywheel and clutch kit for mine. I have a roller cam 302 though. My old flywheel was too large for the t5 bell. The 157 tooth flywheel fits in the T5 bell. If you have a 289, you will need a 28 oz imbalanced flywheel.
 
As a builder of T5’s I think a used one is fine. Especially with upgrades like the cobra gear set and a countergear stabilizer.


Like all things made by a human being anything can go wrong. I would check with folks in the Fox body crowd to find a reputable builder.