• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Will steeper gears put more stress on AOD and a stock 5.0

  • Thread starter Thread starter MrPerfect2
  • Start date Start date Feb 16, 2020
Prev
  • 1
  • 2
First Prev 2 of 2

MrPerfect2

5 Year Member
Jul 23, 2019
308
54
48
Washington DC
Feb 17, 2020
#21
  • Feb 17, 2020
  • #21
Will I need new brackets for top of radiator ?
 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,037
1,625
194
NJ
Feb 17, 2020
#22
  • Feb 17, 2020
  • #22
MrPerfect2 said:
OEM is $90 shipped
Click to expand...
I wasn't aware you could buy any radiator in 2020 for $90 shipped.
With that said, i'd probably never know, because there is no way i'd squander a chance at a robust cooling system.
It's a nice feeling to cruise around knowing the cooling system on an old car is up to any situation.

I'm not sure about the brackets, back in the day I always ran a pepboys 3 row (that was about $140 way back) and I squeezed it into the stock brackets.
 
Reactions: fun331 and Gs1987GT

Gs1987GT

Active Member
Sep 25, 2019
484
170
53
MidAtlantic
Feb 18, 2020
#23
  • Feb 18, 2020
  • #23
Wow, $90? If your engine is stock with no planned modifications, it would be real hard for me, personally not to give that a shot for $90.

Where is that price from? I don't recall stock 5.0s back in the day having overheating issues, so I don't see why a stock radiator wouldn't work. If you have the cash for an upgrade, by all means, but for a stock engine I wouldn't be afraid to try it.

Radiators have been produced with plastic tanks for many years now and they can last a long time. Good luck with your decision. Just my .02.
 

MrPerfect2

5 Year Member
Jul 23, 2019
308
54
48
Washington DC
Feb 19, 2020
#24
  • Feb 19, 2020
  • #24
 
Reactions: Gs1987GT

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,960
10,601
203
polk county florida
Feb 19, 2020
#25
  • Feb 19, 2020
  • #25
That is gonna have plastic side tanks, I think that is not a bad thing for the money spent but I would not do one for a car I plan on keeping.
Bagillion of them in cars today.
 

MrPerfect2

5 Year Member
Jul 23, 2019
308
54
48
Washington DC
Feb 19, 2020
#26
  • Feb 19, 2020
  • #26
As long as it works and fits good is my concern - since it’s a daily drive with no high performance parts , it should do
 
Reactions: Gs1987GT

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,037
1,625
194
NJ
Feb 19, 2020
#27
  • Feb 19, 2020
  • #27
MrPerfect2 said:
As long as it works and fits good is my concern - since it’s a daily drive with no high performance parts , it should do
Click to expand...
Could have sworn this post started with gears.
Gears mean more rpm, more rpm means more heat.
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
7,387
2,745
194
Kearney, NE
Feb 19, 2020
#28
  • Feb 19, 2020
  • #28
to agree with Noobz347, it is like using a lever with the fulcrum closer to the heavy object end. It is easier to move the object (the car) but you have to move the lever more (in this case spin more) to do it. So not counting high speed interstate or yhe Sandhills Open Road Challenge, it should be easier on your motor and transmission. Add slicks, a grippy clutch and 5k clutch drops, then the T-5 is on death row no matter the rear end gears are.

Noobz347 said:
3:27 to 4:10 will increase torque to the wheel.

Think about this a little bit...

When you change the gear ratio, the forces will generally be [less] on the engine and trans. [More] on everything downstream of the flywheel or flexplate.

Take a moment to think about the individual components of a drivetrain and how they interact with one another.

Also, keep in mind (because this may be coming next): Power output in unchanged.
Click to expand...
 

MrPerfect2

5 Year Member
Jul 23, 2019
308
54
48
Washington DC
Feb 19, 2020
#29
  • Feb 19, 2020
  • #29
I have a feeling if I put gears in - I will be pushing the car to its maximum potential often . It will be too fun to resist fast takeoffs and rpms will cause trans to shift more often -
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,960
10,601
203
polk county florida
Feb 19, 2020
#30
  • Feb 19, 2020
  • #30
Go for a compromise, 373 gears will be better and more fun.
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
43,194
21,364
234
Box behind Walmart
Feb 19, 2020
#31
  • Feb 19, 2020
  • #31
MrPerfect2 said:
I have a feeling if I put gears in - I will be pushing the car to its maximum potential often
Click to expand...

Gears do not determine this limit. You can push a Fox to this in either case.
 

marcelo

Active Member
Feb 25, 2018
215
48
38
Quepos, Costa Rica, Central America
Feb 22, 2020
#32
  • Feb 22, 2020
  • #32
still just 170 hp on the wheels ... nothing to worry about ....making a big thing about nothing...
 
Reactions: Gs1987GT

Neuron

5 Year Member
Nov 6, 2016
859
192
93
Feb 22, 2020
#33
  • Feb 22, 2020
  • #33
A tranny cooler IMHO is a necessity for good transmission life especially with 4.10's. Have you had a chance to try out 4.10's in OP car? They can be pretty hairy for some OP on the freeway and in the gas station. With an AT I would say 3.73's would be good, with the torque multiplication factored in. I think I remember reading that the lower gears actually rob some HP. Also the size of the rims and tires will affect the final drive ratio too.
 
S

southcross2631

Active Member
Dec 13, 2019
73
76
28
Athens,Tn
Feb 23, 2020
#34
  • Feb 23, 2020
  • #34
As to your gear change. I built a 1958 Morris Minor with a H.O. 5.0 and an AOD. It had a .512 lift Comp roller cam and it had a stock AOD with a shift improver kit and a 2200 rpm convertor. When I first built it I had a 3.00 gear and around town I had to pull it out of overdrive or it would hunt and lug the motor.
I went to a 4.10 gear and it made the car drive much better and I still got good gas mileage. The car was my daily driver for 3 years. I had an external cooler on the transmission , but no adverse issues with the transmission.
 
Reactions: marcelo, General karthief, TOOLOW91 and 2 others

Gs1987GT

Active Member
Sep 25, 2019
484
170
53
MidAtlantic
Feb 24, 2020
#35
  • Feb 24, 2020
  • #35
Man, that's cool!
 
Prev
  • 1
  • 2
First Prev 2 of 2
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T5 5th gear 89 gt
  • mac_55
  • Mar 19, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
202
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 20, 2026
Mustang5L5
B
Advice after break down.
  • bjornsn95
  • Jan 17, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
25
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Aug 8, 2026
bjornsn95
B
B
Where to go from here on my build…
  • B0udreaux
  • Jul 14, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
229
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 18, 2026
AeroCoupe
6
Hey all,I’m putting together a 302 for my 1968 Mustang and wanted to post the combo + some questions to make sure I’m not missing crucial
  • 68_Disgustang
  • Feb 22, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
983
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jun 20, 2026
gray owl
G
N
For Sale 1984 Mustang gt
  • NJgeorge
  • Nov 29, 2024
  • Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93)
Replies
3
Views
826
Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93) Nov 29, 2024
NJgeorge
N
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?