I have a 65, 6 banger with a 3-spd, 2.77. I'm in the process of converting to an eight and want to know what my trans options. The motor will be either a 289 or 302. The shop building the motor suggested the C4. I was thinking t-5. Any other options? Which would cost less?
Is the 3 spd a manual or auto? If it's a manual then I would say get a T-5. If it's an auto, then you have to decide which you would like to have more. I personally would still go with the T-5, but if you don't wanna deal with adding a clutch pedal, clutch, flywheel, ect. then I would go with a AOD. Whatever you do, try to get a tranny with OD. That way you can get some better gas mileage, and add some low gears without spinning 3500rpm at 65mph.
I have a T-5 and love it. If you race or otherwise abuse your car (I don't mean abuse in a abd way either) you may want to consider a tremec TKO, T-56 or a richmond 6-speed. They'll require some tunnel modification. (Well, I'm not sure about the richmond, gp001, you wanna come in on that one?"
If you had a '68 I'd say to seriously consider the TKO or T-56 as you wouldn't need tunnel mod then (or so I am told, anyone want to weigh in on that?)
You might also consider going to a hydraulic clutch (or a cable clutch and if you don't mind you header choices being limited - like me.) But your current set up should work. If you go with the T-5 make sure you get a steel bearing retainer.
A T-5 will do just fine. They get a little bit of a bad rap on durability but I use mine under road race conditions and no problems. If you are going to drag race, then yes perhaps an upgrade.
Historic: I should have clarified that I meant drag race. Road racing is just a wee bit different.
Hey historic, here's a tech question for you (showing some of my ignorance here) leaf springs are new hat for me, what's a reverse eye and mid eye do for the spring?
skywalker, remember there are no stupid questions at StangNet, only stupid answers from the individuals that drift in and out.
A standard suspension uses a standard eye which has the spring leaf at the bottom of the eye or where the rear bolt and shackle attach. The spring wraps around this eye toward the bumper and goes to the top of the shakle bolt.
The mid eye has the spring meet the shakle bolt about mid way between the bottom and top.
The reverse eye has the spring go over the top of the shakle bolt and around to the bottom of the shakle.
I know this is may sound a little confusing but get out a pencil and paper and it will make sense.
The mid eye lowers the center of gravity a bit and the reverse eye lowers it a bit more while also lowering the car.
My ride uses a reverse eye which lowers it about 1 1/2" and the 1" lowering block lowers it about another 1".
I came from imports. Integras and CRXes don't have leaf springs.
I'm trying to decide what to do about leaf springs, 65shlbycln can tell you that I need them, I knew I wanted 5 leaf springs but I had no clue wha tthe heck reverse eye and mid eye and all that meant. I think I'm going to go with reverse eye springs...now i just need to figure out how to lower my front end.
I've thrown some pretty bad abuse at my T-5 and haven't broke it yet (although, the 4.11's help reduce the torque load on the tranny). I know thrid gear is a weak part on the T-5 so be carefull there, but other then that I would say that unless you run DR's at the track and do a 5500rpm launch, you won't have a problem.