winter project.. transmissions T5 vs T45
11-28-2007, 07:20 PM
#1
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Michigan
Posts: 434
winter project.. transmissions T5 vs T45
the mustang im going to be working on this winter (my first mustang btw) is a 98 mustang...
right now it has a t5 that pops out of reverse... i believe i know what the problem is... but i got the car from a youngster,im pretty sure he learned to drive stick on it, so i was going to replace the tranny anyway
i know the t5 is a very popular tranny, and comes in most mustangs... but i know they also come with the t45 and t56..
now the t56 is out of the question, cause i dont need the extra weight of a EXTRA overdrive gear.. who uses it anyway??
but i did read that the t45 has larger gears in it then the t5... making me assume that it'll be capable of a little more power... im not really that interested in upgrading or rebuilding this t5...
i know the t45 has a built on housing... im planning on using it on a 330ci modular idk if that will create a conflict...
so my question is... since im getting a new tranny anyway, is a t45 worth my time looking into, or should i stick with the t5...
an off the subject question: what k member do i need with the 330
thanks in advance
right now it has a t5 that pops out of reverse... i believe i know what the problem is... but i got the car from a youngster,im pretty sure he learned to drive stick on it, so i was going to replace the tranny anyway
i know the t5 is a very popular tranny, and comes in most mustangs... but i know they also come with the t45 and t56..
now the t56 is out of the question, cause i dont need the extra weight of a EXTRA overdrive gear.. who uses it anyway??
but i did read that the t45 has larger gears in it then the t5... making me assume that it'll be capable of a little more power... im not really that interested in upgrading or rebuilding this t5...
i know the t45 has a built on housing... im planning on using it on a 330ci modular idk if that will create a conflict...
so my question is... since im getting a new tranny anyway, is a t45 worth my time looking into, or should i stick with the t5...
an off the subject question: what k member do i need with the 330
thanks in advance
11-30-2007, 09:16 PM
#4
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 761
RE: winter project.. transmissions T5 vs T45
Lol, I don't know too much about the newer SNs (I'm a 5.0 guy [8D]), but when you say a 330 modular I'm guessing you are using a 4.6 block? If so then a T-45 should fit fine. They aren't the best transmissions in the world though so if you are using a built engine I would probably go with a TKO or something beefier. If you are short on cash then a T-45 would probably work if you aren't too rough on it.
12-01-2007, 11:55 AM
#6
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 761
RE: winter project.. transmissions T5 vs T45
Oh dur, my mistake [&:]. I saw the numbers 330 and immediately thought stroker (the5.0 in me). Youmay be ableuse the same transmissions on the 5.4 though but I don't know for sure. Try asking in the 4.6 section.
12-05-2007, 05:43 PM
#7
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location:
Posts: 31
RE: winter project.. transmissions T5 vs T45
Sorry, been away for awhile. The t45 is a stronger transmission from the factory than the t5, however the t45 had a number of inherent problems that caused Tremec to pull the model soon after they purchased Borg-Warner. We actually make a t45r that solves all of those problems, but I digress.
You can also purchase a "Super" t5, which is Tremecs bolt-in replacement for the Mustang t5, but with some stronger internals and solutions for some typical t5 problems, like popping out of gear.
I have built, installed and/or sold about 2500 Tremec transmissions and in my opinion, the hierarchy looks something like this:
The t45r is the best bang for the buck if you are running less than 500ft-lbs of torque. For a stocker or a mild mod this is a great transmission. Just don't buy a stock t45 or you will experience the same problems that caused its death in the first place.
The Super t5 is a bit more expensive than the t45r, will live with about 450ft-lbs and offers a significant improvement over stock. With a stock or mild upgrade engine this is a great choice. These things can be built to do big power drags for some extra cash. Promotion has some t5 equipped cars doing 6 second quarters.
The TKO is the beast of the bunch. I have customers running more than 900ft-lbs to the rear wheels through TKO600 transmissions with no problems. Putting this in the car does require a new bell and a new clutch disc, so this is a pretty pricey proposition, but boy can it take some serious abuse.
Last on my list is the t56. While this is a good stock transmission, its slow relatively long shifts are not the best, especially over 4500rpm, and unless you spend the big bucks on a race fortified unit they are not much stronger than a t5. The knee jerk assumption is that 6 gears is always better than 5, but in this case, you could do better for the cubic dollars you will spend on a 6-speed.
I hope this post helps boost your confidence in the Mustang Forum at large. Feel free to fire questions or comments. There are bound to be other opinions, but keep in mind most have only limited experience with their own transmissions and for some reason, there are defenders of every model of transmission no matter the model. They are all good, but some are more good than others.
You can also purchase a "Super" t5, which is Tremecs bolt-in replacement for the Mustang t5, but with some stronger internals and solutions for some typical t5 problems, like popping out of gear.
I have built, installed and/or sold about 2500 Tremec transmissions and in my opinion, the hierarchy looks something like this:
The t45r is the best bang for the buck if you are running less than 500ft-lbs of torque. For a stocker or a mild mod this is a great transmission. Just don't buy a stock t45 or you will experience the same problems that caused its death in the first place.
The Super t5 is a bit more expensive than the t45r, will live with about 450ft-lbs and offers a significant improvement over stock. With a stock or mild upgrade engine this is a great choice. These things can be built to do big power drags for some extra cash. Promotion has some t5 equipped cars doing 6 second quarters.
The TKO is the beast of the bunch. I have customers running more than 900ft-lbs to the rear wheels through TKO600 transmissions with no problems. Putting this in the car does require a new bell and a new clutch disc, so this is a pretty pricey proposition, but boy can it take some serious abuse.
Last on my list is the t56. While this is a good stock transmission, its slow relatively long shifts are not the best, especially over 4500rpm, and unless you spend the big bucks on a race fortified unit they are not much stronger than a t5. The knee jerk assumption is that 6 gears is always better than 5, but in this case, you could do better for the cubic dollars you will spend on a 6-speed.
I hope this post helps boost your confidence in the Mustang Forum at large. Feel free to fire questions or comments. There are bound to be other opinions, but keep in mind most have only limited experience with their own transmissions and for some reason, there are defenders of every model of transmission no matter the model. They are all good, but some are more good than others.
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