AODE to T45 swap - please chime in

[Wes8398]

Ok, I've got a line on a T45 from a '96 with low milage and a new king cobra clutch. I just need anyone's insights who has done this swap before. I need to know parts I'm missing from my list (below) and/or parts I've listed that aren't necessary. The person doing the swap for me has worked at a trans specialty shop for a long time now, but has never done this swap, so I wanna make it easy on him. Please chime in with any suggestions!
Parts I think I need for sure
1) Yoke from T45's drive shaft (but don't need the whole driveshaft)
2) T45 trans
3) Clutch and cables
4) Pedals
5) Shifter
6) Flywheel

Parts I've been told I need by some, and told I don't need by others:
1) Trans mount
2) ECM
3) Cross member
4) Wiring harness
5) Bell housing (I thought this was part of the T45....but someone suggested it on another board)

So, if you see something that shouldn't be there, or see something that doesn't belong where it is, please let me know. And if you can clarify on the parts that have been disputed, please do. Again, it's a 96 T45 going into a 97 with AODE.

EDIT: Also suggested was the clutch quadrant, pivot fork, firewall adjustment, and throwout bearing ... wouldn't these just be part of the clutch that I'm buying? haha I'll clarify that with the seller right now...

 

[Jrgunn5150]

The T45 has an integral bellhousing, so you don't need that. I also don't think you need a computer either, but Ford blessed my car with a T45 from the factory, so I can't say for sure.

 

[Wes8398]

bump

 

[voidfinger]

you shouldn't need a new computer, i was told that the crossmember and mount were the same. I know on 5.0's they are not but i think they are the same on the 4.6 I'm planning to do the swap and i got some of the parts needed.

One thing you missed is that you will need a new block plate, the auto one will not work. The plate is the thing that goes between the block and trans, actually i think it bolts to the block b4 the flywheel. Anyway, you will need that. i picked mine off of ebay for 40 buxs. SO good luck and i'm watchen this thread. O0

 

[Wes8398]

One thing you missed is that you will need a new block plate, the auto one will not work. The plate is the thing that goes between the block and trans, actually i think it bolts to the block b4 the flywheel. Anyway, you will need that. i picked mine off of ebay for 40 buxs. SO good luck and i'm watchen this thread. O0

Great to know, thanks a lot! Another question on the ECM thing...do you have to change/modify anything in the Auto's ECM in order to make it work with the T45? Or is it just good to go without modification? If you happen to have it handy, would you mind posting your parts list (unless its the same as mine)?

 

[voidfinger]

One thing you missed is that you will need a new block plate, the auto one will not work. The plate is the thing that goes between the block and trans, actually i think it bolts to the block b4 the flywheel. Anyway, you will need that. i picked mine off of ebay for 40 buxs. SO good luck and i'm watchen this thread. O0

Great to know, thanks a lot! Another question on the ECM thing...do you have to change/modify anything in the Auto's ECM in order to make it work with the T45? Or is it just good to go without modification? If you happen to have it handy, would you mind posting your parts list (unless its the same as mine)?

Well i don't have a list, i'm just parting it together. O and you don't have to modify the thing for the trans but it will show the trans light. Just get a tuner to shut down the auto trans function.

 

[1996mustangGT]

MM&FF has an amazing article about this...
sorry i cant remember the precise issue/date but i know its in
the database on the websit somewhere

 

[Wes8398]

Well i don't have a list, i'm just parting it together. O and you don't have to modify the thing for the trans but it will show the trans light. Just get a tuner to shut down the auto trans function.

What if I don't have, and can't afford, a tuner?

 

[voidfinger]

Well i don't have a list, i'm just parting it together. O and you don't have to modify the thing for the trans but it will show the trans light. Just get a tuner to shut down the auto trans function.

What if I don't have, and can't afford, a tuner?

Well then you will have to deal with the annoying trans light on the guage cluster. i dont think anything bad happens just the light comes on saying there is something wrong since your auto has "vanished"

 

[1996mustangGT]

correct me if im worng but its like having the o/2 sensors disconected...
the motor kinda goes into like a 'safe mode' or something....
once again i reinterate,
MM&FF

 

[Wes8398]

i was told i'd also have a high rev during shifts (or whenever the clutch is disengaged) and a possible significant hesitation problem if I ran the 'auto ecm" with the manual trans. .... can anyone verify or squash this?

 

[voidfinger]

dude, i don't have a clue. I haven't heard the same info from more than 2 people ... everyone has their own info

 

[Wes8398]

I haven't heard the same info from more than 2 people ... everyone has their own info

Frustrating as all HELL, isn't it? :comando: I don't understand how, let's say, 10 people who have all done the swap before, ALL have different/conflicting answers to these questions.

 

[voidfinger]

I haven't heard the same info from more than 2 people ... everyone has their own info

Frustrating as all HELL, isn't it? :comando: I don't understand how, let's say, 10 people who have all done the swap before, ALL have different/conflicting answers to these questions.

not a clue man, i would just get it tuned out... thats just me.

 

[NERD]

Let me know if you need wiring harness and PCM for the t45. I've got them sitting in my bed room right now... I bought them with my PI swap.

 

[Wes8398]

not a clue man, i would just get it tuned out... thats just me.

If I could just go to a shop and have it tuned, I would. But I'm not forkin' out $500 (canadian) for a tuner, then paying to have the thing tuned.
I'm getting to the point where I'm gonna give up on this whole swap idea. I'm thinkin fack it and I'll just put a little money into a J-Mod and some gears. :drunk:

 

[voidfinger]

not a clue man, i would just get it tuned out... thats just me.

If I could just go to a shop and have it tuned, I would. But I'm not forkin' out $500 (canadian) for a tuner, then paying to have the thing tuned.
I'm getting to the point where I'm gonna give up on this whole swap idea. I'm thinkin fack it and I'll just put a little money into a J-Mod and some gears. :drunk:

i'd hit sxynerd up on his deal if i was you.

 

[Wes8398]

IF I were to do the T45 swap, I already have the parts sxynrd's offering me, being given to me for next to nothing. Like I said above, I'm beginning to lean towards keeping the 4R70W and just doing a Jmod and some gears instead. This T45 swap is just too hard to get accurate (or at least non contradictory) answers about.

 

[voidfinger]

IF I were to do the T45 swap, I already have the parts sxynrd's offering me, being given to me for next to nothing. Like I said above, I'm beginning to lean towards keeping the 4R70W and just doing a Jmod and some gears instead. This T45 swap is just too hard to get accurate (or at least non contradictory) answers about.

Well what you got then? i might be interested

 

[Wes8398]

what do you mean what do I have? What do I have a line on? Well the pedals, cables, B&M, flywheel, and ECM are coming from a buddy in Detroit who just wants a case of good ol' Canadian beer for 'em. The trans w/ 80K, new king cobra clutch, and steeda tri-ax was coming from a guy in PA who's been nearly 2 weeks getting back to me about a shipping quote to Michigan (another reason why I'm thinking of kiaboshing the whole idea). He wanted $250 USD + shipping which I figured to be around $100 from what others have told me they had their transmissions shipped for. I also have a mechanic friend who was going to do the install for me for $300-$350 CAD. So I COULD have it all said and done for:
$250 - trans, clutch, shifter ($270 CDN)
$100 - shipping ($105 CDN)
$25 (case of beer from Duty Free) - pedals, flywheel, ecm, cable, another shifter, any odds and ends I might need
$350 - Labour to install
$100 - Reprogramming new ECM to work with my PATS system

= $850 CAD