Ok, been thinking about this for a while and have to ask. The mustang T5 that was in the V6 and 4 banger stangs seems to be held in higher regard then the GM T5 that was used in the Camaro. I have followed the posts where guys here and on the corvette site have done T5 stang conversions for our cars while at the same time flat rejecting a GM t5 swap from a Camaro. Since most of those cars had the 305 V8, why would the mustang 6 and 4 cylinder T5 be a stronger and better transmission?

forgive my ignorance in advance please.

rick

With a little adapting a friend put a T5 in his SS396 Chevelle. He pounded it through the gears a couple of times and nothing broke. He drives the car pretty easy so the transmission works fine. He likes the cruise rpm as well. Pretty cheap swap if you don't plan on getting rough.

With a little adapting a friend put a T5 in his SS396 Chevelle. He pounded it through the gears a couple of times and nothing broke. He drives the car pretty easy so the transmission works fine. He likes the cruise rpm as well. Pretty cheap swap if you don't plan on getting rough.


which T5 the GM or stang T5? I take it easy the majority of the time with my car but do occasionally get on it. I don't do burn outs (why burn up 10,000 miles worth of rubber and not go anywhere. And I don't power shift. I have a mild 350 (heads, cam, etc...) about 330 hp probably and don't mind doing the work to install the stang T5, but if the GM is easier and will hold up under my limited use why not use it?

i did the conversion in my 64 ,i used the camaro t5
there are 2 versions of the t5,,non world class and world class,,world class being the better of the 2
ford used the wc from 85 and up while gm did'nt start till 89
the camaro t5 was canted 18 deg so if mounted to a std bell housing the trans mount will not work and the shifter would be in the pass seat
so you would need the camaro bell housing to mount it right
also most gm cars used hydrolic clutch setups ,,83 is the only year to have mechanical clutch t5
i've never dealt with the mustang version but i think it mounts more straight up,so if thats the case thats why maybe most guys opt for the mustang version
even though i use the camaro version non world class trans i am happy with what i did ,,, i run stock 327 and have 342s in the rear,,,overdrive is great

from what I read the mustang t5 from a v8 is stronger. The later yrs being a little stronger. The first gear on these trans are great for the strip.

the late T5 V8 mustang trans cannot be mounted to a chevy engine because the trans and bell housing are one piece, as far as I can determine and therefore cannot be mounted to a small block chevy no matter what you do to it.

Interesting. I guess the T5 stang is the way to go then.

thanks guys

Pretty sure stang T5's are toploaders... And I love top loaders..

all t5s are top loaders
most of the parts interchange
world class is the stronger one

It was a GM T5 that he used in the SS396.

Ok, thanks for the input. So, if I got with a GM T5 I need to use the T5 bell housing from the camaro and convert to a hydraulic throw out bearing. If I use a mustang T5 I have to get the adaptor and change to a 10 spline clutch and change the yoke.

I blew my saignaw 2 weeks after getting it, so after looking at the cost of TKO and the cost of a Muncie with way to close ratios, I decided to go T5 Ford with the adapter. I have no idea how I will mount it to the crossmember but the other things I will need to do is shorten driveshaft and get the 28spline ford yoke put on. I have a rebuilt T5 from 5.0 mustang and modded the shifter to take the hurst handle from my saginaw. I ordered my adapter from Wilcap 5 weeks ago, still hasn't come :( and no sign of it comming. You have to use the ford clutch disc but use your gm pressure plate. The Wilcap adapter claims to come with pilot bearing adapter aswell as the plate. Now I'm not vendor bashing, because they have been nice to me on the phone and I'm sure they are really busy but its taking a long time to come, so if you order from them don't expect it anytime soon. I hope it works out for me and you. Summer is wasting away I can't wait to start driving my car and my friends and family will love it too when I stop borrowing thier cars. Anyways good luck. :thumbsup:

If anyone is interested, I have a T5 from a four cylinder Mustang here. Probably needs a rebuild, but it's yours for free. Either come pick it up, or pay for shipping.

professor SS just use a GM T-5 and have a competant person re drill your scattersheild for the 18* tilt of the trans. The hole in the belhousing locates the trans via the front bearing retainer, so it doesnt matter if the newly drilled mount holes are a few thou off. A freind of mine did it this way, and it was a fairly easy conversion. He really likes the trans, it is a non-world class unit too.

i never thought of re drilling the bell housing
i used the the mechanical clutch bell housing from an 83 and modified my linkage
cross member got moved back a couple of inches and shortened the drive shaft,,,,i do have pics of how i did all this
overall i am happy with my swap,,,,over drive is great

At least in the popular media the T-5 has been eclipsed by the TKO. What the T-5 has going for it is: plentiful, cheap, light, efficient, and an active aftermarket. Definitely get a world class T-5.

You can use an '89 - '92 Camaro/Firebird V8 T-5 with your regular old bellhousing. See http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=107314&highlight=T-5 for a post I did ask about the trans "tilt". In that post a guy replies about using the F-body T-5 in his '68 Camaro. Obviously you will need to modify your crossmember to tilt the mount for a straight up mounting of an F-body T-5. The tilted F-body shifter handle can be cut and rewelded, or you can just use a Mustang T-5 shifter.

interesting T-5 links:
http://www.g-forcetransmissions.com/tran_gt-5.asp
http://www.astroperformance.com/file..._Release_2.pdf

Astro Performance has a new "Super Case" replacement that they can drill for any mounting pattern you desire.

I did buy a '90 F-Body V8 WC T-5 for my old Studebaker, and I'll probably do the installation in the next couple of months.

Thomas

If anyone is interested, I have a T5 from a four cylinder Mustang here. Probably needs a rebuild, but it's yours for free. Either come pick it up, or pay for shipping.
where are you if the land of 10,000 ponds? I am on the NW border in Grand Forks I would be interested in the mustang t5 if it is still around.

I blew my saignaw 2 weeks after getting it, so after looking at the cost of TKO and the cost of a Muncie with way to close ratios, I decided to go T5 Ford with the adapter. I have no idea how I will mount it to the crossmember but the other things I will need to do is shorten driveshaft and get the 28spline ford yoke put on. I have a rebuilt T5 from 5.0 mustang and modded the shifter to take the hurst handle from my saginaw. I ordered my adapter from Wilcap 5 weeks ago, still hasn't come :( and no sign of it comming. You have to use the ford clutch disc but use your gm pressure plate. The Wilcap adapter claims to come with pilot bearing adapter aswell as the plate. Now I'm not vendor bashing, because they have been nice to me on the phone and I'm sure they are really busy but its taking a long time to come, so if you order from them don't expect it anytime soon. I hope it works out for me and you. Summer is wasting away I can't wait to start driving my car and my friends and family will love it too when I stop borrowing thier cars. Anyways good luck. :thumbsup:

I sent them an e-mail inquiring about their adapter and have not gotten a response. Is there anyone else producing this adapter?

professor SS just use a GM T-5 and have a competant person re drill your scattersheild for the 18* tilt of the trans. The hole in the belhousing locates the trans via the front bearing retainer, so it doesnt matter if the newly drilled mount holes are a few thou off. A freind of mine did it this way, and it was a fairly easy conversion. He really likes the trans, it is a non-world class unit too.

Interesting.....

Don't bother wilcap with e-mails, I never got a responce, you have to phone them.

where are you if the land of 10,000 ponds? I am on the NW border in Grand Forks I would be interested in the mustang t5 if it is still around.


I'm about 12 miles north of Anoka(approx.35 miles north of Mpls.)

I do still have it.

I'm about 12 miles north of Anoka(approx.35 miles north of Mpls.)


Do you know a guy that lives in Anoka whose name is Russ Peterson? He builds cars, at one time in the early 90's he had a '71ish Riviera boattail that was black and had hydraulics.

Do you know a guy that lives in Anoka whose name is Russ Peterson? He builds cars, at one time in the early 90's he had a '71ish Riviera boattail that was black and had hydraulics.


I remember that car but never knew the owner. I've spent my entire 40 years and 11 months in this lovely area.

Lakewood makes 2 scattershields for adapting Ford transmissions to Chevy engines, both include a special pilot bearing. Summit part numbers LAK-15060 and LAK-15030. Cost is under $400.

one would have to wonder why lakewood doesn't make a scatter shield to adapt the GM T5 for an earlier application.

Rick the LAK-15020 and LAK-15015 (Summit #'s) fit the the GM T5. One is for mechanical linkage the other for hydraulic.

Rick the LAK-15020 and LAK-15015 (Summit #'s) fit the the GM T5. One is for mechanical linkage the other for hydraulic.

do those bell housing rotate the transmission the 18 degrees?

I would assume so, they are designed to go in the F body.

Guys,

There are two 4-speed OD trannies that can be used here if wanted!!!

4-speed Ford Top-Loader/RUG OD tranny; and

4-speed MOPAR A833 OD tranny!!

And fwiw, GM ran the MOPAR OD tranny behind some of their mid '80's P/U's..

pdq67

There is no need to keep the trans tilted. GM did this on the '82-'92 F-body cars for packaging reasons. Just use your existing bellhousing and have the crossmember mount position tilted.

The 4 cylinder T-5 will have a useless 1st gear ratio for a V8.

Thomas

Guy's,

I mention these old 4-speed OD tranny's only b/c these two tranny's are probably a lot stronger than the T-5's is all.

You hook a T-5 and you can kiss it good-by if it is behind a hopped up 350, imho!!

HOOK is the word here!!

B/c My Buddy had a 3.50 1st gear Vega Sag. behind a BB that was great BUT he NEVER hooked it!!

pdq67

Paul, to my knowledge neither of those 4 speed O/D transmissions are torque rated any higher than a world class T-5 with the 2.95:1 first gear. The gear ratio spreads on those 4 speed O/D are not so hot, for that matter neither are the 4 cylinder T-5's some of which have a 4.03:1 first gear!

Get any world class T-5 with a 2.95:1 first gear and you are good to go for most 350's. What the T-5 absolutely does not like is flat footed clutchless shifts. If you go racing with a T-5 be sure to upgrade via G-Force or Astro Performance. Remember that the torque ratings of the transmission represent continuous use - short blasts past the continuous torque rating are nothing to worry about.

Thomas

I figured I'd bring this questionable topic back into discussion, due to the fact that I recently found out the T56 I have will not work with my 68 because of the output shaft/yolk configuration... I'm thinking about going with a T5 now due to budget constraints.

I contacted Tony at Astro Performance, and inquired about the "Stage 3" gear set (http://www.astroperformance.com/product_info.php/products_id/148), which is supposed to be good to 450hp, and 330 ft.lbs of torque; plenty for my needs. They only list Mustang applications, so I wrote to him and asked if they carry this "Stage 3" kit for GM applications. Here's what he had to say...

"If you have a Camaro (88-92) you already have what we consider a Stage 3
Gear Kit for the Mustang. Just that the Input Shaft for your Model is
Shorter in Length, Clutch Spline = 26, and the Pilot is smaller in Diameter."

Te me, that sounds like the 88-92.5 F-Body World Class T5 is actually better than mustang T5's, untill they [ford] went to the T5-z, which is rumored to be good to 330 ft.lbs. tq.

Tony continued on to say...

"We do offer an Upgraded Gear Kit for the 88-92 Chevrolet Camaro. It is what
we consider to be an A-5 Gear Kit capable of supporting up to 500 Ft. Lbs.
of Torque. The A-5 Gear Kit is a "Drop-In" Replacement Gear Kit for all
1988-92 Chevrolet Camaro Owners that will give the customer a Gear Kit
capable of supporting the Power/Torque of today's engines. The biggest
advantage to the A-5 Gear Kit is that the Chevrolet Camaro/Firebird Owner do
not have to do any modification to install into vehicle. Factory/OEM
Bellhousing, Clutch, Shifter, Cross-Member, and Driveshaft are all Reusable!
Please feel free to take a look at our website where
you can find more information out about the Upgraded T-5 Components along
with Complete Transmissions. All of the links are directed to the Mustang Section of our Website. But, please note we have the same kits/transmissions available for Chevrolet Camaro/Firebird's. We just have not listed them on our site yet.

Thanks,

Anthony (Tony) Sarvis"

The A-5 gear kit he speaks of is $1150 though, a bit more than I want to spend at this point in time. Sounds to me that if you just install the the Cluster Gear Support Plate (http://www.astroperformance.com/product_info.php/products_id/300), a stock F-body W/C T5 should support a mild small block without problems.

The beauty of a T-5 is also its bane: a twenty year production run with a huge variety of models of differing strengths that essentially "look" the same. So some guys go get the cheapo NWC 4 cylinder versions and blow them up - while other guys start with a 2.95:1 geared world Class T-5 and go drag racing successfully. The cluster gear support plate makes a big difference in strengthening the T-5. Adding the 9310 gears bring it up another level http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/astroperformance/395125-650hp-super-t-5-a.html

Now if Zeroshift ever gets its act together, the T-5 could take on a new round of enthusiasts. http://www.zeroshift.com/products/index.htm - they plan on making clutchless T-5 conversions. Actually you would still have a clutch for standing starts, but after that it is all just a snick of the gearshift away for effortlessly grabbing the next gear with "zero" lag of shifting out of one gear and then into another gear.

Thomas

I hear people on the mustang forums say that a T5 with aftermarket gears and such is just as strong as a TKO and is smoother shifting, lighter, and smaller. Wilcap said my adapter should be shipping out today so I can't wait to get it. I have a rebuilt WC Ford T5 and if something ever breaks on it I'll probably just get an aftermarket gear set instead of going for a TKO. I shouldn't need to mod my tunnel either with the T5 which is always nice.

the TKO is nothing but a heavy duty T-5 when you really look at it.

I am contemplating this swap also. Have you gotten the plate from Wilcap yet? Any other problems you have found? Thanks!

that last question was for "bzack".

doesn't lakewood make a scattershield for these trans to bolt up to a chevy block?

I went through six of those piece of crap transmissions in my 83 H.O. Camaro.

JUNK!

68 Malibu Wagoon, I did get the wilcap adapter finally, had a hard time installing the pilot bushing but the adapter its self was easy, as for a transmission mount, im using a cedar piece of wood (not the best thing) since I can't find a real one. Aside from that it is awsome, I wouldn't recomend 4.11 gears though, 1st gear redlines instantly. I might change to 3.55 or something around there, the overdrive is nice, I can go on the freeway again. I've got to find a good transmision mount eventually but other than that all is well. I'm pretty hard on the transmission and so far my 300hp 330ft/lbs 350ci hasn't broke it and its been 2 months. Good luck.

bzak,
Would the shifter clear a bench seat car without major reconstruction of the seat?

With some modications of the stock mustang T5 shifter I got a hurst handle (from compeition plus shifter I had on a busted saginaw) to fit and it clears the bench seat perfectly. I know because I have one, not sure about other years but my 71 is great, from inside the car you can't tell that its a 5 speed. I'm pretty sure 68-72 are all the same in that aspect.

lakewood does make a sfi bellhousing for the ford t-5 to chevy v8. saw it last night while looking for the toploader to chevy bellhousing. that would be mean set-up, astro A-5 trans behind a chevy.

Is this the one?

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=LAK%2D15060&N=700+115&autoview=sku

would one of these things work?

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=MCL%2D8711&view=32&N=700+150+4294908207+4294900927&appfilter=1#Application

the 1st one you showed was for the 64-73 toploader and ford t-10 trans. the second one was for the mustang t5. it should work.
scott

ttt