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What T-5's can I get?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 6Stang7
  • Start date Start date Dec 18, 2003
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6Stang7

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Dec 18, 2003
#1
  • Dec 18, 2003
  • #1
I need to find a T-5 now, as the one I had pland on buying didn't work out (HUGE crack in the case). What cars can I get a T-5 from? I know that 5.0's are a good source, but what else? Isn't the 5 speed in a camaro or firebird the same as the mustang (except for the bellhousing of course)? Does anyone know a list that will have the cars that I can plunder a 5 speed from that will work with the T-5 conversion (V8 cars only)?

-Shaun
 

rbohm

Founding Member
Apr 12, 2002
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tucson,az
Dec 18, 2003
#2
  • Dec 18, 2003
  • #2
stick with 85-93 mustang 5.0 T5's. the camaro trannies are enough different to make things a pita when trying to adapt them to your application.
 
F

Fostang

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Dec 18, 2003
#3
  • Dec 18, 2003
  • #3
v8 cars only 5.0 mustangs 85-93 thats it. Other t5's are either weak, won't fit, or too much to make them fit.

My prime choice are the 89-93 trannies.
 

imshaggy2000

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Dec 18, 2003
#4
  • Dec 18, 2003
  • #4
The only factory t-5's that are worth anything IMO are the 90-95 t-5's. They are rated at 300 (lb/ft) although they started putting World class trans in 86 i belive, 1990 was the first year of the 300 (lb/ft) ratting. The 94-95 trans have a longer input shaft and a longer bellhousing, this is good if you find it hard to reach the shifter as it will move the shifter back an inch or so(you do have to cut the shifter hole a little bit to make it fit), not that big of a deal. You have to make sure you get the bellhousing with it or else you will have to change the input shaft to work with a the shorter t-5 bellhousings.

Just looked at my chart and 86-89 trans are rated at 265 (lb/ft) just for your reference.
 

6Stang7

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#5
  • Dec 18, 2003
  • #5
So then 90-93 is the best choice for me? I was hoping to get one from a pick-n-pull, as they have a sale were all trannys are $65. I've checked the newspaper and such, and haven't found that many. I would like to spend no more the $150 for just the tranny. Mileage doesn't worry me too much as I am going to buy a rebuild kit for it and rebuild the tranny. Where else should I look?

-Shaun
 

66P51GT

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Nov 7, 2003
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#6
  • Dec 18, 2003
  • #6
Where else should I look?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure where Livermore is but if you are in the SoCal area, check out the Pomona Swap Meet or the Long Beach High Performance Swap Meet.
-Chuck
 

6Stang7

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#7
  • Dec 19, 2003
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It's Bay Area.
 
F

Fostang

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#8
  • Dec 19, 2003
  • #8
Findin one at pick n pull that is good is like wining the lottery or even rebuildable.

You have so many voltures just waiting to strip the wiring harness and t-5.

Having either of those is like having money in your pocket someone is always looking for them.
 

6Stang7

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#9
  • Jan 8, 2004
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Ok, a buddy of mine has a T-5 from an 87 GT. It's rated 265 ft/lbs from the factory. I have a 79 302 which was rated at 250 ft/lbs from the factory(2bbl). It has since had tri-y headers, an aftermarket cam of some type (I really wish I had more details on it), Performer 289 intake, 600 CFM 4 bbl carb, and the heads maybe have been shaved down, bumping up compression; however, I am not sure. I think this tranny will be strong enough for normal driving, but I am going to beat on it (with having 4.11's in the rear, how could I not ). Is there anyway to beef this thing up, if I need to, short of having to get like a TKO or something? Could I just buy a gear set for like a 90-93 Cobra and put those gears in place of the old ones when I rebuild it? Where could I buy a Cobra's gears?

-Shaun
 

66P51GT

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#10
  • Jan 8, 2004
  • #10
Here is a good chart for T5 IDs. Make sure you read the Borg Warner ID from the tag, not the one on the casing.
 

6Stang7

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#11
  • Jan 9, 2004
  • #11
I know what the tranny is, it's just I am wondering if there is anyway I can beef it up, short of getting a TKO kit.

-Shaun
 

Lab Rat

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Oct 25, 2002
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Jan 9, 2004
#12
  • Jan 9, 2004
  • #12
Yeah, you can beef the T5 up, but most of the hardcore 5.0 folks will tell you it's not really worth it. Searh the 5.0 tech forum for stuff about the T5 and you'll find that there are more than a few posts about stock or near-stock cars blowing the T5 trans on hard use. The thing wasn't originally made to handle the power of a V-8, unfortunately. If you look back at it's history, it was originally designed for the 4-cyl cars. It's a very small trans with small gears. It was later adapted for use in the V-8 cars due to it's light weight and the fact that less power loss is associated with it. But if you're going to be running more than 300hp/300lbs torque through it at the rear wheels, I would say just bite the bullet and start figuring out how to fit a 3550 or TKO into your Falcon's transmission tunnel (especially with 4.11s). Bottom line, I think you'll find a T5 to result in more headaches in the long run, but that's just my $0.02.

Matt
 
S

slapper

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#13
  • Jan 9, 2004
  • #13
6Stang7 said:
I know what the tranny is, it's just I am wondering if there is anyway I can beef it up, short of getting a TKO kit.

-Shaun
Click to expand...
Not really. Not without $$
It's much easier to get a 3550 and upgrade it to a TKO
 
J

johnkn

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#14
  • Jan 9, 2004
  • #14
Lab Rat said:
Yeah, you can beef the T5 up, but most of the hardcore 5.0 folks will tell you it's not really worth it. Searh the 5.0 tech forum for stuff about the T5 and you'll find that there are more than a few posts about stock or near-stock cars blowing the T5 trans on hard use. The thing wasn't originally made to handle the power of a V-8, unfortunately. If you look back at it's history, it was originally designed for the 4-cyl cars. It's a very small trans with small gears. It was later adapted for use in the V-8 cars due to it's light weight and the fact that less power loss is associated with it. But if you're going to be running more than 300hp/300lbs torque through it at the rear wheels, I would say just bite the bullet and start figuring out how to fit a 3550 or TKO into your Falcon's transmission tunnel (especially with 4.11s). Bottom line, I think you'll find a T5 to result in more headaches in the long run, but that's just my $0.02.

Matt
Click to expand...

Sounds then like 'most' of the 5.0 guys have not heard of Libery or G-Force. G-Force for instance builds a T5 that will handle >650hp. Price is reasonable also. http://www.g-forcetransmissions.com/tran_gt-5.asp You get what you pay for in transmissions. Buy a POS 4 cylinder T5 for $150 and you get exactly what you pay for. I would suggest that a new T5Z would be a reliable alternative for most. <$1100. Due to it's design, and propensity to bend clutch forks if constantly power shifted, it's important to use a quality shifter (PRO5.0) with adjustable stops. $200. The T5Z in my GT350 is ~4 years old, works perfectly. It's behind the original 289 Shelby HiPo with 10-1 compression and original Paxton blower running 6psi.
 

Lab Rat

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Jan 9, 2004
#15
  • Jan 9, 2004
  • #15
johnkn said:
G-Force for instance builds a T5 that will handle >650hp. Price is reasonable also. ........ I would suggest that a new T5Z would be a reliable alternative for most. <$1100.
Click to expand...

Did you read the entire thread? He's after a T5 from a yard, not a brand new one or one of the specialty units. You're right, if he wants to go with a T5, then one of these would be ideal. But I don't think there's one of those to be had at a pick 'n pull.
 

66P51GT

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#16
  • Jan 9, 2004
  • #16
Lab Rat said:
Did you read the entire thread? He's after a T5 from a yard, not a brand new one or one of the specialty units. You're right, if he wants to go with a T5, then one of these would be ideal. But I don't think there's one of those to be had at a pick 'n pull.
Click to expand...
Agreed, I doubt you will find the M-7003-Z tranny in the yard, but you can find them slightly used in the classified sections of message boards. I picked up slightly used T5-Z tranny with Ram 900 clutch and pressure plate, FMS Aluminum Driveshaft, and B&M shifter for $1,100 shipped to my door from a member of Stangnet.
 

6Stang7

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Jan 9, 2004
#17
  • Jan 9, 2004
  • #17
I am hearing a lot of mixed stuff here. So are you saying that no one makes a gear kit for a T-5 that's short of going to a TKO or something. You said that many 5.0 guys have blown there stock tranny, but do you know what it was? T-5's have a really big problem with there thrid gear going out. How big? It's the second most common problem with them. I have found a new thrid gear with the bottom cluster for around $200 that will fix the thrid gear problem; but If I replace all the gears, then there is no point in me getting it. It sounds like the T5Z is stronger, but by how much? Does anyone sell just a gear set that you can install in a normal T5 so that it will have the strenght of the T5Z?

-Shaun
 
6

68DARKHORSE

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Oct 9, 2003
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Jan 9, 2004
#18
  • Jan 9, 2004
  • #18
I bought a '93 T5 from a GT for $50 and had it built with Z spec parts. They sell all the parts also. The T5 and T5Z use the same case.

www.austinareastangs.com/abt
 

HistoricMustang

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Apr 11, 2003
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Confederate States of America
Jan 10, 2004
#19
  • Jan 10, 2004
  • #19
The T-5 will last just fine, unless you are an animal with the speed shifts and then nothing short of a Jerico will last.

Been using one from a T-Bird Turbo in my race rod for years with no problems.

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com
 

Lab Rat

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Jan 10, 2004
#20
  • Jan 10, 2004
  • #20
I'm out
 
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