mboln52000

Okay, i did do a search, but I dont think the search option is working at the momet because i had no hits on any topic i entered.

I am putting in a manual tranny in the basket case, and i really dont want a 4spd with out the over drive, i would like to have that for the highway. So, I was considering the T5. If this has been asked before, sorry, but i am looking for the problems any of you encountered while making the change.

What happened when you did it?
Thanks,
Matt

stpman

check out this thread

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=586954

Steve :steering:

Fevre

Did a lot of research on the diff 5 speed swaps and that was the best fit for me at the time. Now I am unsure what way I am going to go, seem to change my mind once a month. Cost wise it is prolly the least expensive way to put a 5 speed in but you can't beat on it like a tremec or richmond.

norvalwilhelm

I ran a mustang T5 for a year without a single problem before switching to my Tremec. I choose the Mustang T5 because they are cheap and plentiful and with little trouble they can be used.

mboln52000

Okay, i read the other thread listed above. I am a little confused. It said the the Tremec from a mustang would fit in the c3's. Is the bolt patern the same on the ford version of the t5 Tremec?

I know they are both made by b/w, with a little different internals, but i am a little unclear of bolting them to a gm bellhousing. What about input shaft length, clutch splines, etc???

Thanks,
Matt
:confused:

Fevre

Norval made his own adaptor plate to mate the Ford trans to GM bellhousing.

dman535

Anyone done a complete write up on what is needed ?
clutch ?
flywheel ?
shifter ?
mouting ?
bellhousing ?

If it could be done inexpensivley I might be up for trying to blow one up in my car :)

norvalwilhelm

The ford T5 has exactly 1/2 inch longer input shaft. This allows for the use of a stock GM bellhousing. All I needed to do was make a 1/2 inch aluminum plate, bolt it to the back of the stock GM bellhousing and put 4 new studs to match the mustang bolt pattern. It was all really simple.
Ford and chev use the same pressure plate and some use the same clutch disc. Ford uses 10 spline and 26 spline. The Mustang T5 required the 10 spline and my Ford tremec used the 26 spline. I mounted the Ford Tremec the same as the mustang T5.
Universals are universal. Ford/Chev/dodge, they all fit the same so adapting a ford output yoke to a chevy driveshaft is a given. They all fit the same universals.
The bushing in the back of the motor is different. A chevy is bigger od so I just put the bushing in a lathe and made the OD chevy size or I could just buy the Chevy to ford bushing from Coleman.
Speedo adaptors are available for the Tremec and the T5 takes the same.
So like I said with little work a mustang T5 can be bolted in a C3.
Mustang T5's from the 90's are strong then the old 4 speeds, cost about $450 CDN and every week a few are offered in the paper.
A really good source of cheap 5 speed overdrive transmission.
It is a strong transmission and will only break with power shifting not from just plain engine power. Some of them are rated at 330 FT LBS for 24 hours continuous use.
For my 454 I run a heavy duty 63 ford 11 inch centerforce clutch. They are once agian totally interchangable with chev.

norvalwilhelm

Just found a picture of the aluminum plate between the Mustang T5 and the chevy bellhousing.




[Modified by norvalwilhelm, 8:39 AM 3/23/2004]

dman535

What about the shifter ?

Would clutch hydraulics from a ford be used or something from a Chevy truck be better for the conversion ?

Fevre

If you got the t-5 route and want to upgrade the 1-4 gears check this out:

http://www.g-forcetransmissions.com/tran_gt-5.asp

Fevre

Looks like they also make adaptor plates:

http://www.g-forcetransmissions.com/accessories.asp

ddecart

Hmmmm...so I could put a 5-speed in without spendig the premium bucks for a TKO if I get a T-5 and buy an adapter plate?

I'm a bit confused on what has a 26-spline and what has a 10-spline input shaft though. We need 26, right?


[Modified by ddecart, 1:00 PM 3/23/2004]

Fevre

As far as splines you only need to make sure your clutch disk and input shaft have the same number. And of course you have yoke that mates to your trans.

I am just all over the place on this, I am cheap so the t-5 sitting on my work bench sounds great but I am also lazy so the keisler unit sounds great too. :confused:

ddecart

I'm all over the place, too. Why spend the $$$ for a built-to-fit trans when I can get an adapter plate and fit something less expensive.

I'm not cheap, I'm an engineer. Every situation is a probem in optimization. How do I maximize the benefit, while minimizing the input :yesnod:

I wonder how much I could sell my Muncie 4-speed for.


[Modified by ddecart, 1:25 PM 3/23/2004]

Fevre

Guess it is not so much as be lazy as it I like to do everything myself. I have no welding experience so making the crossmember and bracket I would want would require farming it out. Add in the driveshaft, cutting the trans tunnel, modify the shifter and all the other little stuff and I start thinking the keisler unit doesn't sound so bad. :)

ddecart

Doesn't the Keisler require the same cuts in the tunnel? You just need to rout something out for the new shifter location, right?

Fevre

Keilser is supposed to be plug and play, no cuts so you can go back to orig. One thing guys say is to make the crossmember removable to make it easier.

norvalwilhelm

Guys don't be so afraid. I don't know your fabrication skills so I shouldn't say too much.
The mustang T5 is as strong or stronger then the 4 speed, it has a .68 overdrive and a 3.27 low gear. It is cheap and plentiful around here at least and as for driveshaft worries any driveshaft shop can quickly cut yours down and rebalance for little money. You should not worry about a driveshaft.
As for the adaptor I am not sure who sells them. I just made my own with a 1/2 piece of aluminim and bored a hole for the input bearing.
As for cutting the tunnel other then cleaning up around the existing hole a little and I mean nothing major the mustang T5 bolted right up.
I have heard alot of complaining about Keisleer and the cost certainly is not cheap.
If I wasn't so busy I would start putting kits together to bolt in the mustang T5.

Gordonm

I just put in the Keisler unit. No cutting of the trans tunnel is needed. I did make the cross member removable but tha twas my own doing. It made it a whole lot easier. Everything fit very good on mine and it works very well in the car.