T-45 swap?

nemoxii · May 28, 2008

Hey all,

Well I just installed a set of BBK o/r H-pipes, and I had to *make* them fit. They were resting right on my shift linkage (yes I have an auto) so I ended up just putting a few spacers betwen my tranny mount and the tranny itself to solve the issue. Anyway, I've decided I want to swap in a T-45 for several reasons, the main one being I just perfer a manual transmission, followed closely by the fact I'm running my current 4r70w on borrowed time. I did a quick search on the site and didn't really find any specific posts on the swap. Anyone done this? Whats the good, the bad, and the ugly of attemting this? Advice and opinions welcome. Thanks!

-Adam

Steven · May 28, 2008

nothing to ugly, just a matter of collecting all the parts. I suggest buy a whole damn parts car, or you'll be nickled and dimed to death. I have the pedals, boot setup, different things from my old 5 speed swap package left over. Hit me up if you want to buy em.

nemoxii · May 28, 2008

I might take you up on that, I'm focusing on finding a tranny first though. A few more questions have arisen since I started researching this. It seems the Cobra t-45s are differnt that the GTs? 7 vs 8 tooth speedo gears and differnt mounting positions? Does that mean I can't put a Cobra t-45 in my GT, or can I find parts to adapt one in? Is there any internal difference between the two? Thanks again!

-Adam

Steven · May 28, 2008

nemoxii said:
I might take you up on that, I'm focusing on finding a tranny first though. A few more questions have arisen since I started researching this. It seems the Cobra t-45s are differnt that the GTs? 7 vs 8 tooth speedo gears and differnt mounting positions? Does that mean I can't put a Cobra t-45 in my GT, or can I find parts to adapt one in? Is there any internal difference between the two? Thanks again!

-Adam

you can, just you need i believe a different cross member, the one from a cobra specifically. Gear tooth will only matter when it comes time for the particular gear you have in your rearend. you can find t45's, not many like them. I've seen them come across the block for 200-300 all day long. All i have is the pedals, the main lower rubber part that muffles noise, and a quadrant. I used to have the whole setup

realitygt · May 28, 2008

you'll need the crossmember with the tranny anyway. and a t45 swap is almost not worth it, they break easily. if you're gonna do it go all out and get a t56. almost the same swap from what i read.

Steven · May 28, 2008

realitygt said:
you'll need the crossmember with the tranny anyway. and a t45 swap is almost not worth it, they break easily. if you're gonna do it go all out and get a t56. almost the same swap from what i read.

t45s on a launch are fine, its when you powershift it is when they fall apart.

nemoxii · May 28, 2008

I've really considered just going with a t56, but cost is the biggest factor. If I can find a t56 on the cheap, Id take it over a t45, but I can complete that entire t45 swap for what I've seen t56s going for. I mean are they really THAT much better? Really? Correct me if I'm wrong, but a t45 would be a step up in 'beefy-ness' over my 4r70w would it not? I'm serious when I say that if I'm being stupid please knock some sence into me.

Anyway, talk to me about driveshafts. Would the one in my auto work with the correct slip yoke, or are they different lengths?

Right now I'm thinking I'll need:

Tranny
Flywheel
Clutch
Pedels
Shifter
Computer
(?)Driveshaft(?)

What am I missing?

Thanks again, guys

-Adam

realitygt · May 28, 2008

yes a t56 is definitely a step up in beffiness it's what they use in vette's vipers 03 cobras, camaro ss'

and it give you 6 gears without a monstrously steep first gear like the t45 (in most cases) so you can actually take advantage of rearend gears in 1st gear

tranny
tranny crossmember
bellhousing
flywheel
clutch kit
pedals
linkage,cables, all the bracketry for the cables, rubber grommets for firewall
idk how the clutch self adjusts itself but you'll need that
idk about the computer
and i'm almost positive you will need a driveshaft (if not, it's a perfect time to get an aluminum one and get rid of that dogbone in the back)
center console
you'll need to cut a bigger hole in the floor

what about the sensors connected to a manual tha won't let you start it without the clutch pushed in, the ones for the reverse lights and the one that kicks off cruise control when you touch the clutch pedal?

Jrgunn5150 · May 28, 2008

I say this everytime, I broke a T45 with 200 hp, broke another with 300, broke another with 400 (kinda dumb huh?) never broke one T56 with 400, 470, or 500. I'd have been money ahead.

Anyhow, there is no internal difference between the Cobra and GT T45, they just use a different mount, so either way, get the crossmember that belongs on the trans. You need computer, some wiring, pedals, and a shifter.

96sohc · May 28, 2008

If you get the T45 from a 96-98 car:

Tranny
Clutch/Flywheel/TB, etc.
Block Plate
Pedal Assembly
transmission wiring harness
crossmember (if its from a cobra)
clutch cable, etc.
shifter, boot, trim pieces, etc.
basically all stock parts from a 96-98 5 speed.

You can re-use your automatic computer, you just need to take it to someone with SCT software and have them turn off all of the automatic functions; manual computers cannot be flashed to be used with an automatic.

justinschmidt1 · May 28, 2008

Too much bullshit...4.10s, 3500 stall, call it a day.

Nater · May 29, 2008

I did the swap....couln't be happier....

check this link out...It is a basic writeup I did.....http://forums.mightymustangs.net/index.php?showtopic=21412 If you have any questions, feel free to ask...

nemoxii · May 29, 2008

NateR, Thanks for the write-up link, I will most definatly be refering to it through out this process. I checked out you profile on that site...hows that tranny holding up under the power you're putting through it? I hear alot of people saying that I should just go straight to a t56, and I'm not completely convinced yet that I shouldn't. I have no doubt that a t45 would more than accomodate my current setup, but I'm worried it'll begin to let me down as I continue to make more power. I'd hate to buy a t45 now just to buy a t56 later.

For anyone who knows, I think I read the t56 was rated at like 440 ft. lbs. of torque. Whats the t45 rated at?

Jrgunn5150 · May 29, 2008

The T45 is rated at either 330 or 350, I'd have to look in the manual to be sure.

Know, however, that the T-5 was rated at 260 for years until someone figured out the 5.0 put out 300, and lo and behold, with no internal changes at all... The rating changed to 310, lol.

Nater · May 29, 2008

It is holding up very well....Much better than the 4R70W...That one I went thru 3 tailshaft bushings before finally giving into the swap. :knuppel2: There was a guy on that site that was pushing more than I was thru a T45. From what I hear the thing that kills them quick is powershifting....

Jrgunn5150 · May 29, 2008

4.30 gear's without modding the tailshaft will tend to kill them, you needed to fix it to force lube to the bushing.

Anyway though, I never powershifted my trans, they just cracked in half. One pooped on the dyno with 205 thundering ponies. But, if all you need or want if five gear's, and you think it'll hold, more power to you. My first one held for like 8 years, so that ain't bad.

Nater · May 29, 2008

LOL! Plus autobahn speeds didn't help either.... :hammer: only problem I have now is that I have a slight vibration....I think that is due to the fact that the driveshaft may not be properly alligned....

atrainsgt · May 30, 2008

Nater said:
LOL! Plus autobahn speeds didn't help either.... :hammer: only problem I have now is that I have a slight vibration....I think that is due to the fact that the driveshaft may not be properly alligned....

I'm going to come over the Germany someday just to play on the autobahn! Back to the question though I would go with the t-56 also, thats what I'm doing to replace my t-45.

nemoxii · May 30, 2008

Yeah, I think I've decided on a t56. It means I have to be patient until I can afford one, whereas I could just do a t45 swap now, but the added strength meshes well with my future plans. Anyhow, thanks for all the info guys and I'll keep you posted on my progress. Oh and by the way, I'm hitting the track tomorrow night for the first time since my pipes and a good tune, I'm betting I'll be digging into the 13s easy. I'll let ya'll now.

-Adam