Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Drivetrain Tech => Topic started by: SR71blackbird on May 07, 2010, 01:38:17 AM

Title: tranny swap
Post by: SR71blackbird on May 07, 2010, 01:38:17 AM
does anybody have any preference on what year mustang T5 i should swap in? any tips on will help alot. thank you. im swapping in a new clutch (any help with tips on that will be helpful too) and T5 tranny at the same time.
Title: tranny swap
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on May 07, 2010, 03:00:11 AM
If you want the best there is...

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FMS-M-7003-Z/
Title: tranny swap
Post by: 86T-bird on May 07, 2010, 07:27:40 AM
Not the forum for selling parts, but I have a t5-Z spec box for sale. The unit was in my Thunderbird for 9,000 miles, I purchased it new from D&D.  I swapped it out for a t56 this winter.  It includes the bell housing, shift fork and stock shifter $750.  A Triax shifter is availlable for $125.  I have clutch & brake pedals from a Mustang, it includes an aluminium clutch quadrant ($75). 

Can't tell where you are located, does not include shipping.

Other items you will need are: a clutch, clutch cable and double hump crossmember.
Title: tranny swap
Post by: Aerocoupe on May 07, 2010, 11:03:48 AM
You are looking for a World Class T-5.  Ford started using the WC T-5's in 1985 and there was a change in the WC units around 1990 which resulted in a higher torque rating.  Modern Driveline has a great history on the T-5 here:

http://www.moderndriveline.com/Technical_Bits/t5_history.htm

Found another good bit of data on the T-5's here:

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/Detailed/349.shtml

I have had a 1992 unit in my Coupe for 8 years and beat on that thing like I stole it for the first 6 years.  Had it rebuilt by a guy in Houston about two years ago and it was still in good shape.  I added a few aftermarket parts and changed some worn parts but overall it held up very nicely.

Darren
Title: tranny swap
Post by: jandmmustangs on May 07, 2010, 07:14:54 PM
Quote from: 86T-bird;320991
Not the forum for selling parts, but I have a t5-Z spec box for sale. The unit was in my Thunderbird for 9,000 miles, I purchased it new from D&D.  I swapped it out for a t56 this winter.  It includes the bell housing, shift fork and stock shifter $750.  A Triax shifter is availlable for $125.  I have clutch & brake pedals from a Mustang, it includes an aluminium clutch quadrant ($75). 

Can't tell where you are located, does not include shipping.

Other items you will need are: a clutch, clutch cable and double hump crossmember.


That sir is a good deal on a Z-spec T-5
Title: tranny swap
Post by: SR71blackbird on May 10, 2010, 02:54:55 AM
what is a Z-spec T-5? will it work with the stinger 2.3 to SBF bellhousing adapter plate?
 thank you all for your help.
Title: tranny swap
Post by: SR71blackbird on May 10, 2010, 02:56:05 AM
and i have a short throw on my tranny right now, will that work on the Z-spec?
Title: tranny swap
Post by: Aerocoupe on May 10, 2010, 07:42:47 AM
If they will both work on a standard T-5 for a 5.0 car then you are good to go.  The Z-Spec T-5 is basically this:

http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=1879

I have seen some sites rate it as high as 330 ft-lbs of torque.

Darren
Title: tranny swap
Post by: 32VFoxBird on May 10, 2010, 08:23:46 AM
you'll need to have the input shaft machined down to fit your 2.3's pilot bearing if you want to use a V8 T5.
Title: tranny swap
Post by: Aerocoupe on May 10, 2010, 09:21:03 AM
Is there a pilot bearing which will allow the use of the 5.0L T-5 behind the 2.3L?  I know there is one to put the 2.3L T-5 behind a 5.0L or 5.8L.  Not quite sure why a person would want to do that as I would think the 2.3L T-5 would die a painful death behind a mild 5.0L.  I do not know the ID of the pilot bearing hole in the 2.3L crank versus the ID of the tip of 5.0L T-5 input shaft so that may be the issue all in itself.

Its not really that big of a deal to have the input shaft machined down as the T-5's are super easy to tear down to get the input shaft out.  You can get the manual for them here:

http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English/media/pdfs_autogen/T-5_Service_Manual.pdf

Darren
Title: tranny swap
Post by: 86T-bird on May 10, 2010, 01:38:53 PM
Quote from: Aerocoupe;321310

I have seen some sites rate it as high as 330 ft-lbs of torque.

Darren


That's the first time I haven't seen it rated at 330 ft-lbs.  They're a sturdy close ratio trans.
Title: tranny swap
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on May 10, 2010, 05:38:53 PM
I was asleep, with the half motor I defiantly would not use a V8 tranny, a fat ass TC needs all the 1st gear it can get... The later TC T-5('87-'88) have a 3.97 first gear vs the 2.95 of the Z spec... Assuming you have 3.55 cogs out back, using the Z will make 1st feel like you swapped to a 2.73 rear...

Quote from: 86T-bird;321354
That's the first time I haven't seen it rated at 330 ft-lbs.  They're a sturdy close ratio trans.

When you talk Top Loader four speeds, a 2.32 1st gear is the close ratio, the wide ratios have a 2.78 1st...
Title: tranny swap
Post by: SR71blackbird on May 10, 2010, 07:57:31 PM
so would i just be better off building up my stock tranny then? do they make beefer parts for it even?
Title: tranny swap
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on May 10, 2010, 09:15:28 PM
Quote from: SR71blackbird;321403
so would i just be better off building up my stock tranny then? do they make beefer parts for it even?


Not that I know of, the '87-'88 TC T-5 and the '87-up Stang trannys are World Class boxes and were the most developed 4cyl units built...

BTW the front bearing retainer for the 4cyl trannys isn't available and the 5.0 piece doesn't fit...
Title: tranny swap
Post by: Beau on May 10, 2010, 10:31:00 PM
Quote from: Aerocoupe;321322
Is there a pilot bearing which will allow the use of the 5.0L T-5 behind the 2.3L?

Negative, ghostrider. Pattern is full.;)
Title: tranny swap
Post by: 86T-bird on May 10, 2010, 10:31:04 PM
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;321381

When you talk Top Loader four speeds, a 2.32 1st gear is the close ratio, the wide ratios have a 2.78 1st...


Ah, another era...  Showing our age on that one Tom!

It seems silly in that context to refer to a Z-spec as a close ratio.

Remember the big rear gears needed to get those cars off the line?  A 2.32 first gear and a 4.51 rear is the equivalent to 2.95 first gear and 3.55 rear gear.  Man, they used to scream on the highway with no overdrive.  Their strong point was taking loads of torque! 

In comparison to the T5 4 cylinder first gear of 3.97 and the standard V8 of 3.35, a 2.95 of the Z spec is the nearest thing to a close ratio box in this era, that is, without going to a custom gear set.

Of course my comments don't help the OP address the issue of upgrading his trans.  I'll bow out, I know nothing of 4 cylinder transmissions.
Title: tranny swap
Post by: SR71blackbird on May 10, 2010, 11:47:37 PM
so running the Z-spec with 3:55 gears out back what would the final ratio be then? i do a good amount of free way driving and right now at 70mph my engine is close to 3000rpm. And what if my car makes more then the 330ftlbs of torque when using the Z-spec?
so im going to need a new clutch cable, a different brake booster, adjustable firewall, the bell housing adapter, clutch, flywheel. is there anything else id need?
btw, you guys know alot. thank you for your help.
Title: tranny swap
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on May 11, 2010, 08:52:18 AM
Quote from: SR71blackbird;321445
. And what if my car makes more then the 330ftlbs of torque when using the Z-spec?

You're having a Hellva dream... :rollin:

Use the chart to find out what gear ratio you'll have with each tranny, as I stated prior current tranny should have a 3.97 1st gear... Just multiply each gear times 3.55...

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2000/09/t5swap/index2.shtml

You could maybe live with a production 5.0 tranny with a 3.35 1st gear(and those are stronger than the 4 cyl boxes), but again the input pilot will need some machine work... The .68 5th gear would noticeably reduce highway RPMs


Quote from: 86T-bird;321436
Ah, another era...  Showing our age on that one Tom!

LOL

Yeah you ain't lived till you've cruised a big block at 70mph with 4.56 cogs and no overdrive(can you say 8 MPG & 4K RPMs?), even the 3.50 rear in my Fairlane about drove me nuts till I swapped it to a 3.00... It also has the 2.32 1st gear Top Loader, so even with the 428 it's a dog till she gets rolling...
Title: tranny swap
Post by: SR71blackbird on May 11, 2010, 10:13:19 PM
nothing wrong with dreaming:mullet: thank you for the help, ill check that out
Title: tranny swap
Post by: quicksilver on May 11, 2010, 11:09:13 PM
In the mean while, is there away to get the 2.3 trannys to stop rattling? mine and my friends both do it so we think its the same in all other 2.3 trannys. is that true?
Title: tranny swap
Post by: Chuck W on May 12, 2010, 11:13:53 AM
Quote from: Aerocoupe;321322
Is there a pilot bearing which will allow the use of the 5.0L T-5 behind the 2.3L?  I know there is one to put the 2.3L T-5 behind a 5.0L or 5.8L.  Not quite sure why a person would want to do that as I would think the 2.3L T-5 would die a painful death behind a mild 5.0L.  I do not know the ID of the pilot bearing hole in the 2.3L crank versus the ID of the tip of 5.0L T-5 input shaft so that may be the issue all in itself.

Its not really that big of a deal to have the input shaft machined down as the T-5's are super easy to tear down to get the input shaft out.  You can get the manual for them here:

http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English/media/pdfs_autogen/T-5_Service_Manual.pdf

Darren


There is a pilot bushing, but no bearing.
Title: tranny swap
Post by: SR71blackbird on May 12, 2010, 11:42:27 PM
how much horsepower can stock TC T-5's handle anyways?