What should it cost?

[68conv4sp]

Assuming the shop purchases and installs all parts for a Toploader to T-5 swap, what should it cost? ('68 289 in Monterey, Ca.)

Basically, I think they will need: T-5 (new), bell housing (?), shorten drive shaft, new clutch (Centerforce), new Starter(?), cable clutch conv kit, and ?

10 mechanic hours or so?

Then, how much is a fully functional 4 speed Toploader (RUG A) worth?

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[ForceFed70]

If they are buying the parts I'd expect a bill somewhere near $3000

Depending on the shape of your toploader, i wouldn't expect much more than $400 for it.

 

[68conv4sp]

Is it best to sell it on E-Bay or is there a better venue?

 

[ForceFed70]

It's hard to say. The problem with this item is that it's so expensive to ship....

You could always try Ebay...maybe someone local will be interested.

 

[68conv4sp]

Your $3000 was pretty close. A little more investigation shows about $2300 in parts w/ tax and shipping. I think at least $800 in labor. Good guess!

 

[68conv4sp]

The existing Top Loader is looking better all the time.

 

[ForceFed70]

Your $3000 was pretty close. A little more investigation shows about $2300 in parts w/ tax and shipping. I think at least $800 in labor. Good guess!

I want to swap out my FMX (auto) for a T5 someday, so I can't claim I havn't investigated this a little myself...

And I agree... if you've already got a 4-speed... it's a little hard to justify the swap unless you have lots of money, or the 4-speed needs to be replaced anyway. For an auto to T5 swap it's a little more straightforward of a decision...but I'm still secretly hoping my auto will give me a reason to replace it some day.

 

[PJx5x]

if you shop around for used/rebuilt stuff, and be patient about it, it can be done for a lot cheaper. i think my T5 conversion was about $900, including a clutch pedal. But i did it myself, so labor wasnt included

 

[ForceFed70]

if you shop around for used/rebuilt stuff, and be patient about it, it can be done for a lot cheaper. i think my T5 conversion was about $900, including a clutch pedal. But i did it myself, so labor wasnt included

You did it for cheap. I was planning on spending that on just the transmission. ($500 for a used T5, $400 to rebuild/freshen up)

 

[D.Hearne]

Lets see---- $3000 for the swap, less $500 for the Toploader, that leaves $2500 left, divide that by $3.00 ( gallon of gas) , you can buy about 833 more gallons of gas for your ride. If you drove your car 15,000 miles a year(which I doubt anyone does now in a classic car) and the T-5 saved you 5 mpg, it would take a little over three years to recoup the cost of the T-5 ($2500) multiply that times two if you managed 7,000 miles a year.And that's not counting the cost to rebuild the T-5 should it not handle the power that the Toploader will.

 

[S-Car-Go]

Give Bruce at Modern drivline a call and he can help you source parts. He's in San jose, so you can drive up there and save shipping. I don't know his pricing though. Put the toploader on craigslist to sell it (also local) and get someone to do side work from californiafords. You may even get them to supply the parts (used, from wreckers). I've seen a couple guys advertise they do this, but mostly in newer cars (auto to stick).

 

[68conv4sp]

S-Car good local info. Thanks.

Mr. Hearne my reasons for the 5 speed interest are irrespective of fuel mileage. I want to leave the stoplight faster without suffering on the highway.

Can a Top Loader be built with a steeper 1st gear and a taller 4th gear, say .85? (My motor is set up for low end torque.) This question shows how little I know about the inner workings of a trans.

 

[D.Hearne]

The late 70's overdrive Toploader is what you'd want there. They had a 3-something 1st, and a .70 4th. But the spread between the rest of the gears leaves something to be desired. If you have the money, I'd go with a Tremec 3550 instead of a T-5. You can use either your present bell with a 1" spacer (for the longer input shaft) or use an 80's SROD bell without the spacer.

 

[68conv4sp]

Thanks, Mr. Hearne. Thats the first I've heard of a late 70's toploader with such different ranges. I imagine that would be a drop in swap. I checked David Kee's site and did not find mention of Toploaders after 1972. I'll send him an e-mail.