Zero1Niner

I found a good deal on a T5 WC transmission from a 6 cyl Ford Mustang. I have read that using a 6 cyl T5 might not be advisable because its not strong enough, but I would have to guess that the 3.8 v6 from the Mustang is more powerful than my crappy 190hp stock engine in the 1981. This car is horribly underpowered, so cant imagine this engine breaking any transmission.

The trans I am looking at has a tag number of 1352-238, which shows a gear ratio configuration as 3.35 1.93 1.29 1.00 0.72, and 3.15 for reverse.

Wanted to ask
1) if using this trans would be a mistake (and why), and
2) Are these gear ratios ok for my stock rear gear, which I THINK is a 2.87.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

dugsgms74

I think the trans will live if youre nice to it, clutch drops and power shifts will probably kill it eventually but normal driving should be OK. As far as the gear ratios go, youll love the deep first but the fifth might be bit much for a 2.87 rear gear.

Frankenvette

I'm in the final prep stages of installing a Ford T5. As soon as I get the tranny inspected and a clean bill of health on the internal I'm a go for install.

I get your point about having a low hp engine, but there are so many T5's available from the Ford 5.0 why bother going with a 2.3? I was able to source a well conditioned Z-spec T5 for around $400.00 which is primarily made for the 93 Cobra.

Another reason to use the higher torque rated 5.0 T5 is what happens if you decide to replace your heads or other mods to beef up your HP? Using the 2.3 T5 does not give you much room to grow. If you are going to go through the process of installing the T5, a few hundred more for the 5.0 tranny seems a small price to pay.

Zero1Niner

Eventually I plan on swapping the engine for a LT1/T56 combo, but that might be a little way down the road. I have no intention of updating this original factory engine. Not worth the investment for my end goal for the car.

ddawson

Low HP is one thing but I would focus on the TQ numbers.

Really depends on the year.
http://www.moderndriveline.com/Techn...t5_history.htm

a 3.8L WC should hold about 310ft/lbs. They show 3.35 first gear ratio and either a .73:1 or .68:1 overdrive ratio.

John 65

My T5 has the .6?:1 5th gear. When I had the 3.08 rear in the car, it felt like the overdrive was useless unless I was moving at the speed of light. I changed the rear to 3.70 and they work well together now. Good luck with the swap.

Zero1Niner

Just picked up the T5. Only paid $225. Clutch pedals and 3/4 ton chevy hydraulic cylinder are already installed, so hoping I can figure out how to get this in without too much headache.

Since this is a Ford bellhousing, am I better off changing to a chevy bell or using an adapter?

ddawson

Adapter and adjustable pivot.

You may be able to use some of the parts for the conversion for the TKO for the speed-O and such.

Wonder if the offset shifter would work as well.

I was reading some else was doing the switch as well and was further along. Might have been on the other forum.

Zero1Niner

So digging in a little more on this transmission, Im unclear if this trans will work for me or not.

I see that this has a longer input shaft. Here is the info I found on the trans. Is this compatible with my car?

Trans ID 1352-238
Application Ford 95-97 3.8 V6
Torque Capacity 265
Gear Ratios:
1st 3.35
2nd 1.93
3rd 1.29
4th 1.1
5th 0.68
Reverse 3.15
Speedo Gear 8
Input Length 7.85
Pilot Diameter 0.668

Zero1Niner

Started searching for a bellhousing for this transmission. I know I need on with a hydraulic slave mount. Is there a correct version I need to find or will any chevy V8 bellhousing work for this transmission?

Frankenvette

I think the post 94 tranny will require either mating two adapter plates together. There are some thread out there that document that later 90's Ford T5 install as it relates to the longer input shaft.