This ’03 GT was my first car, got it new in high school. I was young and stupid so I got an automatic. I’ve done a good amount of work to it and I’m not interested in trading in for a manual so I’m looking to do the next best thing—put in my own.

I’ve looked at some of the other posts including youkairyu32’s and I’m trying to get a better handle on what I’m doing. I’m by no means a certified mechanic, but I’ve done all the other work on the car myself and somehow it still runs. I also have a friend who’s a certified ford tech who I call when things get rough.

What transmission do you guys recommend? I’ve been looking at the T-56, TKO, 3650, etc. I have 4.10 gears and my cams produce most of my power at higher RPMs. I guess my next question would be about the gear ratios once I pick a trans. I basically use the car on the street and occasionally on the highway.

From youkairyu’s post I’ve compiled all the parts he mentioned. Let me know if I missed anything. I’ve also thrown in some probably stupid but honest questions as well.


Manual Transmission
Street/track clutch
Flywheel
Clutch fork
Shifter
Console shift boot
New block plate
Trans x-member
Trans wiring harness

Body boot – what is this?
Drive shaft – If I go with the T-56 is it true that I need one that’s 1 inch shorter?
Manual radiator – this may be a dumb question... but what’s the difference from mine now?
Clutch linkage – I’m guessing this just means a clutch cable?
Pedal cluster – How does the 3rd pedal get connected up?
ECU – New or modified? Some say only new, some say u can just flash it.


If I bought all of these parts new, that should avoid most of the problems that Youkairyu encountered, right? He had trouble with the car still looking to be in park, also the pin configuration in the tranny wiring harness, and a few other problems.

Last question: Should I expect to have any clearance issues with any of these trans options?


Thanks in advance. Oh, and if this project happens, I’ll eventually be looking to get rid of my 4R70W.