What to do w/two t5's
12-06-2012, 02:05 PM
#1
What to do w/two t5's
Hi everyone,
So recently I picked up two t5's (WC units from 1986 v8 cars) for $300 total. One transmission has 2 gears that need replacing, and the other transmission's gears look good. Neither is useable without a rebuild though (partially disassembled).
(1)First of all, does anyone know of a reputable shop or rebuilder near the California coast that really knows t5's? It seems like every shop I find online that clearly has experience with t5's and understands their differences is across the country. And that's not cool because of shipping!
I could not find the answers to the next questions anywhere so be patient with me. It is important that I upgrade one of my '86 units to at least the strength rating of a 90-93'.
(2)What parts are needed to do this? ( I am interested in a CONCLUSIVE list! Because I am weighing my options and possibly sourcing my own parts).
Sites like The Gear Box sell aftermarket 2.95 gearsets for $485. (3) What are all the related parts needed to use this gearset in the transmission I have? It can't just be what's pictured, right? Part numbers or at least part names would be greatly appreciated here! (http://www.thegearbox.org/catalog/it...32/3532263.htm)
(4) Is it cheaper to have one of my t5's REBUILT to 90-93' spec? Or to just use mine as a CORE and buy a rebuilt 90-93' spec unit? know that labor/condition of my transmissions are X factors in this, but any info or experience is appreciated.
And lastly so you know, this is what I have in mind with this transmission if I was to have it rebuilt:
FOR SURE DOING/NEED THE FOLLOWING:
-at least 90-93' unit strength (what is required to get here?)
-rebuild kit
-steel front bearing retainer
-bronze shift fork pads
-bronze shifter cup
-steeda shifter
POSSIBLE
-2.95 1st gear and related changes (info wanted here on needed parts experience!)
So in conclusion:
1)Know any good t5 shops/sellers near CA coast?
2)Use my transmission(s) as core for a 90-93' rebuilt unit, or rebuild mine? Would they even accept my transmission as a core for a 90-93' spec unit? How about as a core for a rebuilt 2.95 unit? ( Assuming my transmissions have no catastrophic damage)
3)Assuming I bought the 2.95 gear set linked above, what else would I need to get to make my transmission the 2.95 unit (ie stronger) unit?
As always, thanks in advance for your info!
So recently I picked up two t5's (WC units from 1986 v8 cars) for $300 total. One transmission has 2 gears that need replacing, and the other transmission's gears look good. Neither is useable without a rebuild though (partially disassembled).
(1)First of all, does anyone know of a reputable shop or rebuilder near the California coast that really knows t5's? It seems like every shop I find online that clearly has experience with t5's and understands their differences is across the country. And that's not cool because of shipping!
I could not find the answers to the next questions anywhere so be patient with me. It is important that I upgrade one of my '86 units to at least the strength rating of a 90-93'.
(2)What parts are needed to do this? ( I am interested in a CONCLUSIVE list! Because I am weighing my options and possibly sourcing my own parts).
Sites like The Gear Box sell aftermarket 2.95 gearsets for $485. (3) What are all the related parts needed to use this gearset in the transmission I have? It can't just be what's pictured, right? Part numbers or at least part names would be greatly appreciated here! (http://www.thegearbox.org/catalog/it...32/3532263.htm)
(4) Is it cheaper to have one of my t5's REBUILT to 90-93' spec? Or to just use mine as a CORE and buy a rebuilt 90-93' spec unit? know that labor/condition of my transmissions are X factors in this, but any info or experience is appreciated.
And lastly so you know, this is what I have in mind with this transmission if I was to have it rebuilt:
FOR SURE DOING/NEED THE FOLLOWING:
-at least 90-93' unit strength (what is required to get here?)
-rebuild kit
-steel front bearing retainer
-bronze shift fork pads
-bronze shifter cup
-steeda shifter
POSSIBLE
-2.95 1st gear and related changes (info wanted here on needed parts experience!)
So in conclusion:
1)Know any good t5 shops/sellers near CA coast?
2)Use my transmission(s) as core for a 90-93' rebuilt unit, or rebuild mine? Would they even accept my transmission as a core for a 90-93' spec unit? How about as a core for a rebuilt 2.95 unit? ( Assuming my transmissions have no catastrophic damage)
3)Assuming I bought the 2.95 gear set linked above, what else would I need to get to make my transmission the 2.95 unit (ie stronger) unit?
As always, thanks in advance for your info!
12-08-2012, 05:09 PM
#5
After doing some additional reasearch, I have finally decided I want to have a t5z. However, I am still looking for a t5 specialist or rebuilder near the SF Bay Area or Santa Cruz area. I may have mine rebuilt to t5z spec or just use mine as a core for a rebuilt t5z. Option 3 is selling the t5's I have and just buying a new t5z.
So I still would like to know what is needed other than a kit like (http://www.thegearbox.org/catalog/it...32/7587031.htm) to make a t5z out of a wc unit. Anyone?
So I still would like to know what is needed other than a kit like (http://www.thegearbox.org/catalog/it...32/7587031.htm) to make a t5z out of a wc unit. Anyone?
Last edited by guitarman376; 12-08-2012 at 05:11 PM.
12-09-2012, 03:13 AM
#7
@rmodel: Trust me, I have been tossing that idea around in my head a lot lately! My conclusion was that even though the transmission itself wouldn't be that much more (or less even lol) for like a tko600 or something, the components (bellhousing, clutch, and good aftermarket shifter, etc) ended up making going that route much more expensive. Like $1500 more if I'm correct.
From what I've read a t5z would handle the way I drive for as long as I need it to survive. I drive hard sometimes for sure, but I would never powershift on the street ever and probably wouldn't do it on a track either. But lets just say I have never had a car to practice heel and toe downshifts on, and I'm looking forward to slowly learning that once my tranny/clutch are broken in. My big feet make it hard!
But I imagine one day I will step up to the tko600, but I believe I have made my decision. My 357 windsor has stock everything other than pertronix EI. Other than exhaust, carb, and intake I won't be doing anything to it for a long time. I figure if I'm lucky I will be putting down 400hp? maybe 425? 5.0L cars pushing 10-11s quarter miles run t5z's on sticky tires. yes they break eventually, but they are cheap to rebuild and many do it themselves. I read a chart of a chassis dyno of a t5z vs tko500 or 600. At max torque the t5 made like 6 or 7 ft/lbs of torque more than the tko because the tko has a much heavier gearseat (hence indestructible). Equates to better mileage for me for street use.
From what I've read a t5z would handle the way I drive for as long as I need it to survive. I drive hard sometimes for sure, but I would never powershift on the street ever and probably wouldn't do it on a track either. But lets just say I have never had a car to practice heel and toe downshifts on, and I'm looking forward to slowly learning that once my tranny/clutch are broken in. My big feet make it hard!
But I imagine one day I will step up to the tko600, but I believe I have made my decision. My 357 windsor has stock everything other than pertronix EI. Other than exhaust, carb, and intake I won't be doing anything to it for a long time. I figure if I'm lucky I will be putting down 400hp? maybe 425? 5.0L cars pushing 10-11s quarter miles run t5z's on sticky tires. yes they break eventually, but they are cheap to rebuild and many do it themselves. I read a chart of a chassis dyno of a t5z vs tko500 or 600. At max torque the t5 made like 6 or 7 ft/lbs of torque more than the tko because the tko has a much heavier gearseat (hence indestructible). Equates to better mileage for me for street use.
12-09-2012, 02:20 PM
#8
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: st clair shores MI
Posts: 6,028
with what you want to do, you might as well just buy a t5z, thats a '93 cobra 2.95 trans
with all the parts and labor, youll spend more upgrading.
i would pull both trannies apart and part them out. a good cluster gear can go for $75-$100
input shaft $50-$75
output shaft $75-$100
etc.
it can be time consuming, and will most likely have to go to ebay but i dont see your options as very viable IMO
with all the parts and labor, youll spend more upgrading.
i would pull both trannies apart and part them out. a good cluster gear can go for $75-$100
input shaft $50-$75
output shaft $75-$100
etc.
it can be time consuming, and will most likely have to go to ebay but i dont see your options as very viable IMO
12-09-2012, 02:23 PM
#9
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: st clair shores MI
Posts: 6,028
The Tremec design T-5 5 speed transmission has been around since the early 80's. "World Class" models were introduced in 1985. These transmissions feature tapered roller bearings on the cluster, caged needle bearings under the 1st, 2nd and 3rd speed gears on the mainshaft, double synchronizers on 1st and 2nd and steel blocker rings with bonded friction materials. Ford adopted this configuration for 1985 and up production T5's. Similarly, all Ford aftermarket T-5 applications have been "World Class" since 1985. As the demands on this transmission were increased, gear materials were upgraded (8620 to 4620 to4615) and blocker ring lining materials went from paper to carbon fibre.
In 1993 the pocket bearing between the input and mainshaft was changed from a needle bearing to a tapered roller bearing. This was only used in production on the '93-95 Mustang Cobra T5's but was adopted on many high performance aftermarket T-5 applications including the AA251 shown below. The T-5 design and manufacturing rights were purchased by Tremec in 1996 and is still being produced in Mexico.
copied and pasted from the BEST source for T5's
http://www.ddperformance.com
In 1993 the pocket bearing between the input and mainshaft was changed from a needle bearing to a tapered roller bearing. This was only used in production on the '93-95 Mustang Cobra T5's but was adopted on many high performance aftermarket T-5 applications including the AA251 shown below. The T-5 design and manufacturing rights were purchased by Tremec in 1996 and is still being produced in Mexico.
copied and pasted from the BEST source for T5's
http://www.ddperformance.com
12-09-2012, 02:55 PM
#10
@nitrousbob: Yea I assumed that building one of my transmissions into a t5z would be pricier than just buying one new, thanks for verifying. In other parts of the US guys are doing dirt cheap rebuilds out of their home garages and I was hoping to find something along those lines here in cali. I hope I can sell these two transmissions for at least $150 a piece...