T5 Time is Now.

[pantera77]

Yes, that is right. I've been thinking about it for a while now, and it is finally time to begin. Even though my 89 has a WR-AOD and a nice Lentech VB, it just isn't the same as rowing your own gears. So over the winter, I'll be ditching the slushbox in favor of a T5. I'll have a ton of questions so get ready. I'll try and make a nice write up in the end, with tons of pics, info, ect.., so for now I'll just post them all in this thread.




Well so far, I've completed the easiest task. I swapped out the stock brake booster for a 98 p71 unit. I went with the p71 one as it actually allows the pedal to have some feel, other than the "granny could push it with her pinkie" feel. The stock master cylinder bolted right up (although I'll be swapping in a 98p71 MC due to my big brakes and rear disc), and I'd assume this true for any 88-89, and 90-91. I'm not sure why Freshmeat's write up says the MC won't bolt up. Yes, I know I'll have to remove it come time for everything else, just wanted to make sure it fit right.

The stock booster compared with a 98 unit:



It bolts in place 100% with no mods needed. Comes close to the factory airbox, but doesn't actually touch.

[86VickyLX]

I can haz AOD?

Also, that brake booster looks like the one I have from the 93 Grand Marquis.

[sly]

my WR-AOD just has a shift kit... It could stand a WR valve body though... the 2-3 shift is a little early and the 1-2 is a little late. I dialed it for proper 2-3 shift so you have to peddle it between first and second when running WOT. It is nicer than the stock gears for getting out of the hole though.

[86VickyLX]

my WR-AOD just has a shift kit... It could stand a WR valve body though... the 2-3 shift is a little early and the 1-2 is a little late. I dialed it for proper 2-3 shift so you have to peddle it between first and second when running WOT. It is nicer than the stock gears for getting out of the hole though.

In the Mark VI? What rear gear ratio?

[Southern_Pride]

They sell a bellhousing for a t45 to a 302. T45 is rated for 400 ftlbs instead of 300. I'm seriously looking into it.

[pantera77]

They sell a bellhousing for a t45 to a 302. T45 is rated for 400 ftlbs instead of 300. I'm seriously looking into it.

Ya, that's one of my many questions. I know summit sells the Ford Racing T5 rated for 330, but is that worth the $1300? But then again, there's plenty of Mustang people running 4cyl T5's behind a lot more power than I'm making.

[86VickyLX]

But then again, there's plenty of Mustang people running 4cyl T5's behind a lot more power than I'm making.

Keep in mind, they also weigh less...

[Pesty351]

The t5 that was in my car was holding up decent. It just didn't like being slammed into 2nd at the track too much.

[marquisman]

how much do you want for the WR-AOD? i wonder if shipping would be a dirty whore...

[85crownHPP]

Im guessing he's gonna keep it for one of his other boxes...

If Freshmeat's box was an 87 or older, the MC is different and might explain why his didn't fit.

Please take lots of pics! One day we might get enough bits n pieces for a half decent T-5 swap guide.

[88grandmarq]

Im guessing he's gonna keep it for one of his other boxes...

If Freshmeat's box was an 87 or older, the MC is different and might explain why his didn't fit.

Please take lots of pics! One day we might get enough bits n pieces for a half decent T-5 swap guide.

Master cylinder is different on older cars, but Brake booster should be the same.

[pantera77]

Please take lots of pics! One day we might get enough bits n pieces for a half decent T-5 swap guide.

That's the plan! I want to make The T5 Swap Guide, granted I'm going to need a lot of help along the way.



So let's start with the biggest question right out of the box. What tranny should I use? Keep in mind, this car is my DD spring, summer, and fall. I don't want some super notchy ruff tranny in it. At the same time, I do take it to the strip occasionally, and at times, certainly drive the car to it's fullest potential. I'm not sure what the actually power output of the engine is, for those who don't know:

Rebuilt engine;
86 Mustang 302 HO engine, bored .030" over = 306 Cubic Inches
speed pro flat top pistons -- 9.5:1 compression ratio
ARP rod bolts
88 Mustang HO camshaft
Crane 1.7 rocker arms
GT40P cylinder heads (4 bar)
Explorer upper and lower intake
65mm throttle body

My biggest concern is will a T5 take it? Sure plenty of Mustang guys run more power through their tranny's, but also, as 86VickyLX stated, are certainly lighter. One of my main concern's is reliability.

A quick visit to Summit Racing shows 2 choices of stockish, brandy new T5's, one a Ford Racing unit rated to 330ft./lbs, another, a Hurst unit, rated at only 300ft./lbs. Both cost the same at $1,300.

Now I know what your thinking, "why not just go buy some generic used T5 for $200, or score a free one from you buddy like I did?" Well first off, a quick visit to Craigslist shows two T5's for sale near me. One, for $950 that has been "rebuilt", the other, for $500 that has been "sitting outside under a tarp for a year, but should be ok". Stay classy Craigslis. Secondly besides for my $10 HO longblock (which ironically I got for so cheap because the kid only wanted the T5 behind it), I never find good deals. And last, I really don't trust any used T5, mainly because they've nearly all been beat to hell.

From what I've seen around here, nearly everyone who has done this swap, has ended up with a broken tranny (or rear end) sooner or later. I'd rather start with all new components if possible. While money obviously is somewhat of an issue, I'm not afraid to pay to play.

So I ask, what would you guys do?

[johnunit]

Just thinking out loud,
Is there a technical reason not to do a non-t5 tranny? A t56 or something would be more than strong enough. Is the size that different? Shifter location, adapters?

[Southern_Pride]

T45 same size, Close to the same gear spacing. Just a different bellhousing. And it may bolt up with a t5 bellhousing.

[sly]

In the Mark VI? What rear gear ratio?

oops... no... the 88 GM... 2.73 rear gears. the stock trans gears were slugs out of the hole... the wide gears (even though they're not that much lower) allow the torque converter to hit the power that much faster. That 88 is real fun off the line... looses all grunt at 4K though (just like all lopos).

the Mark... actually has the stang AOD in it with that lower lever TV stuff on the side.