Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

General => General Fox T-Bird/Cougar Discussion => Topic started by: Dan B. on August 10, 2009, 04:44:31 PM

Title: Got all my T5 swap parts....but...
Post by: Dan B. on August 10, 2009, 04:44:31 PM
Thanks to Bill (protouring442), we worked out a deal on a '88 TC parts car that had all the stuff I "thought" I needed for the rear and T5 swap. 

I was psyched...until I started doing some reading on coolcats this AM about the swap.  Turns out the '88 TC can NOT be used for the T5 swap...the hydro clutch arrangement won't work!  :punchballs:  So now I still have to shop for pedals, all attachment parts, cable, quadrant and the bellhousing!  I needed the bellhousing anyhow but had not expected to need all the other stuff.

In the meantime I'm gonna swap my AOD for another to get the 'bird on the road.  I'll also do the rear swap before winter.

Quick question....did all TC's have rear disc brakes?  I'm gonna swap the prop valve and '93 Cobra MC (is that the preferred one?) also.  The front brakes will stay stock...but I did read about swapping the TC fronts on as well.  Is that are good upgrade?  I have to complete TC rolling parts so I have to stuff needed.

Thanks.
Title: Got all my T5 swap parts....but...
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on August 10, 2009, 04:52:51 PM
You planning on using a 4cyl T5 behind a 5.0???
Title: Got all my T5 swap parts....but...
Post by: vinnietbird on August 10, 2009, 05:04:05 PM
If you have access to the TC front brakes,spindles,rotors and calipers,put them on as well when you do the rear end swap.They are bigger than the stock ones by two inches.That makes a difference.The Turbo Coupes with disc rears are the '87/'88 models.Previous years had drums.The '93 Cobra MC is a great one to swap on.I'm doing the brake swap eventually and I'm also going to install a Mustang brake booster so I can use a firewall adjuster for my clutch cable,plus,at nearly 22 years old,a new booster can't hurt.
Title: Got all my T5 swap parts....but...
Post by: Dan B. on August 10, 2009, 05:52:13 PM
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;286081
You planning on using a 4cyl T5 behind a 5.0???


Yep....at least for the meantime.  It's mainly a toy for the wife to roll around in.  It's won't be raced for a while...at that point I'll ante up for a Richmond or Tremec gear box.

Ford put it behind a turbo 4 banger...how could a stock 5.0 do any real damage unless you really hammer on it?
Title: Got all my T5 swap parts....but...
Post by: 86XR7project on August 10, 2009, 06:01:20 PM
Somehow I don't see this faring very well...
Title: Got all my T5 swap parts....but...
Post by: Dan B. on August 10, 2009, 06:27:24 PM
Quote from: 86XR7project;286101
Somehow I don't see this faring very well...


Some fellas feel very confident in their 7.5" rears behind a 5.0.  Back when I was running 2.9L Rangers (with five speeds) I managed to thrash more than one 7.5 into oblivion.  The tranny was fine.

I'm not talking trash on anyone that posts on this thread (already or in the future)...but if you're gonna post a comment like that quoted above...please elaborate.  Smart comments help no one.  I'm here to seek info (I've banged the search function into submission), ask questions when I need help....and in return, help when I can.
Title: Got all my T5 swap parts....but...
Post by: 88turbo on August 10, 2009, 06:35:54 PM
when I swapped my TC from ABS to power brakes I used a master cylinder from an SVO mustang and all has been well.
Title: Got all my T5 swap parts....but...
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on August 10, 2009, 07:19:29 PM
The torque ratings on the 4cyl tranny are less than the v8 boxes and the gear ratios are rather deep... You'll need a Probe pilot for something like a '89 or so...
Title: Got all my T5 swap parts....but...
Post by: 5.0 tbird on August 10, 2009, 07:31:02 PM
The 4 cyl T5 will probably last alright behind a 5.0, but the ratios are way off. I had to start mine out in 2nd most of the time and burned the clutch in <10,000 miles. Now I have a '93 Cobra trans and the ratios are a lot better.
Title: Got all my T5 swap parts....but...
Post by: Dan B. on August 10, 2009, 07:31:10 PM
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;286110
The torque ratings on the 4cyl tranny are less than the v8 boxes and the gear ratios are rather deep... You'll need a Probe pilot for something like a '89 or so...


Now...that helps.  Thanks.

I'll likely just swap another AOD for now...I have a line on one from a local Ford guy.  The T5 swap will have to wait.

The brakes however...that will happen much sooner than later.
Title: Got all my T5 swap parts....but...
Post by: dominator on August 10, 2009, 08:05:28 PM
Sorry to hijack(kinda).
I have always wondered why the hydro parts could not be used behind the regular 5.0L T5????
I have pondered trying to swap in all the TC hydraulic components yet use the 5.0L clutch and 5.0L T5.
What are the reasons it would not or could not work or with some modification?????
Could you not use the pedals,master,slave,lines,bellhousing,possibly the fork with the 5.0L t5???
I have always hated the feel of non hydraulic clutches and if was ever to swap to a manual it would have to be hydraulic.
Does anyone have actual experience in trying to piece together this setup, or is it like the keeping abs and swapping to sn95 components myth(which no one had done and i found to work perfectly)????
Title: Got all my T5 swap parts....but...
Post by: gumby on August 10, 2009, 09:29:32 PM
Quote from: dominator;286116

Could you not use the pedals,master,slave,lines,bellhousing,possibly the fork with the 5.0L t5???


bell housing pattern doesnt match from a 2.3T to 5.0
Title: Got all my T5 swap parts....but...
Post by: dominator on August 10, 2009, 10:39:18 PM
Hmmm that's interesting,how far off is it????
Could it be modified or is it just to off???
Title: Got all my T5 swap parts....but...
Post by: Kitz Kat on August 11, 2009, 03:25:27 AM
I'm still using the original master cylinder, with disc TC rear, works fine.
Title: Got all my T5 swap parts....but...
Post by: vinnietbird on August 11, 2009, 07:04:23 AM
I had a 7.5 from an '86 Turbo Coupe in my other Bird.Drove it for years and beat the living  out of it,and it never gave me a single issue.It had 3.45 gears,which weren't bad at all.
Title: Got all my T5 swap parts....but...
Post by: 86XR7project on August 11, 2009, 08:21:52 AM
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;286110
The torque ratings on the 4cyl tranny are less than the v8 boxes and the gear ratios are rather deep... You'll need a Probe pilot for something like a '89 or so...


and that is why I said that, I apologize for not elaborating. :bowdown:
Title: Got all my T5 swap parts....but...
Post by: Thunder Chicken on August 11, 2009, 04:41:29 PM
Quote from: dominator;286157
Hmmm that's interesting,how far off is it????
Could it be modified or is it just to off???

The 4cyl bellhousing is way different from the V8 block pattern. I don't think you'd get one to work without an adapter, and since T5's have removable bellhousings there is no real need to use an adapter, so I doubt you'd be able to find one. If you want a hydraulic clutch with a 5.0 you're gonna have to either use the Mazda tranny (Super Coupe, F-150) or something custom
Title: Got all my T5 swap parts....but...
Post by: vinnietbird on August 11, 2009, 06:35:19 PM
Just buy the right parts the first time.If you can't afford it (I am in that situation ALL the time),just buy one piece at a time until you have everything collected.Check salvage yards,Ebay,here,the Corral forums.Most people are willing to deal with you if you intend to buy.Prices aren't set in stone except rarely.Start acquiring parts and be patient,it'll come together.
Title: Got all my T5 swap parts....but...
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on August 12, 2009, 08:25:26 AM
Quote from: dominator;286157
Hmmm that's interesting,how far off is it????
Could it be modified or is it just to off???

The 2.3 bolt pattern, bell and clutch components are toys compared to the 5.0 stuff, much smaller... I believe the largest clutch that's available for the 2.3 is 9", with the correct flywheel, a 11" isn't a problem for the v8...