T-5 Bullet Proofing

94kingcbra · May 5, 2008

So I am looking to upgrade my T-5. I have seen kits but I cannot remember where. I am looking for something where I can just take my car to a tranny shop, I will give them what they need so they can pull the tranny and completely rebuild it with parts that will will be much stronger than stock. Also looking to uprade to a 26 spline and a new clutch. The whole reason behind this is because I am grinding gears even with the clutch all the way in, yet my clutch is not slipping. Any input would be great. Thanks!

Jrgunn5150 · May 5, 2008

I can do it for you, depending on what you really need I may or may not recomend it for you. I'm guessing from your sig you are pushing around 400 rwhp? What kind of driving do you do? Just a fun cruiser? Launching it at 5k on slicks?

D&D performance and Astro performance carry the kit's you are looking for though.

94kingcbra · May 5, 2008

Yeah about that much, but down the road I want to supercharge it and make upwards of 500...So I figured if I was gonna get it fixed now, I might as well be prepared

95 svt cobra · May 5, 2008

yeah just do some online searching, hanlon makes good products as does TCI automotive. pricey but good products

Jrgunn5150 · May 5, 2008

94kingcbra said:
Yeah about that much, but down the road I want to supercharge it and make upwards of 500...So I figured if I was gonna get it fixed now, I might as well be prepared

In that case, I would recomend a Tremec now, and just be done with it.

Also, even though you have the clutch all the way down, your cable is probably worn and stretched. If adjusting it doesn't work, replace it, and only replace it with an OEM cable, no adjustable cables or aftermarket cables.

sk8inrj1 · May 5, 2008

Where you get OEM FORD clutch cables other than the dealer. I've heard that the dealer charges like $150!

95 svt cobra · May 5, 2008

summit

ryclef331 · May 5, 2008

I run a G-Force T5 in my car and LOVE IT. It was built by astro performance.com...they no longer sell g-force kits BUT they do have their own t5 gear set now that is just as good if not better. Tony's customer service is second to none at astro. I've driven a couple of tremec and tko cars and while the tranny is strong, it did NOT like the way they shifted...felt TOO notchy. I love my gforce....

95 svt cobra · May 5, 2008

yeah i agree on the scratchy shifting, that all but went away though when i started running synchromesh, its ALOT smoother, at least when the tranny warms up a bit

ScottyDsntKnow · May 6, 2008

Bah, the TKO series of transmissions are fine. So what if they're a little notchy, just make sure you have a shifter with properly adjusted stops and bang away.

I just put 3 fresh quarts of synchromesh into my 3550 and it shifts pretty damn smoothly right now compared to how I remember it.

IMO you can do all you want to a T-5 but in the end you still have a small cased T-5 with small gears. I'll take the big beefy gears from a Tremec any day.

Jrgunn5150 · May 6, 2008

The case is the reason I would recomend the Tremec too. Once you get the Astro full kit, and pay someone to put it in the trans (preferably someone reputable, not billy bob's transmissions, or AAMCO), you're nearly at the cost of a new TKO 500.

IMO, piece of mind is worth 4-5 hundred to me.

fastgtfairlane · May 6, 2008

check out www.astroperformance.com and www.gforcetransmissions.com you can buy built transmissions from both. i like the gforce kits. you can get straight cut gears and dog ring kits instead of syncronizers so you can shift without the clutch. either t-5 will hold up and it will be less work to put one of those in cause it is a t-5. each one has advantages and disadvantages. the t-5 is a little lighter than the tkos and will absorb less hp than the tko.

ScottyDsntKnow · May 6, 2008

And it'll blow up sooner than a TKO as well. Like I said, small case=small gears.

Mustang68 · May 6, 2008

I definitely agree with astro gears kits.. everyone ive pretty much talked to about upgrading t5's have recomended their kits over others.. them and richmond gear are the 2 main ones..

J.R. said:
The case is the reason I would recomend the Tremec too. Once you get the Astro full kit, and pay someone to put it in the trans (preferably someone reputable, not billy bob's transmissions, or AAMCO), you're nearly at the cost of a new TKO 500.

IMO, piece of mind is worth 4-5 hundred to me.

ive always wondered.. what all is involved to swap out the t5's to go to the TKO's? i know ya need the trannys and possibly another driveshaft.. but other than that what else would you need? computer? wire harness? ect ect? or they just swap in like theyve always been there?

ScottyDsntKnow · May 6, 2008

Go do a search on the corral. Its been covered 100 million times over there. And no, the computer has nothing to do with anything where a 5 speed is concerned.

fastgtfairlane · May 6, 2008

ScottyDsntKnow said:
And it'll blow up sooner than a TKO as well. Like I said, small case=small gears.

this can all depend on the drivers shifting ability too. dont get me wrong im not dissagreeing with you completely that the tko is a overall stronger transmission. however with the stronger and beefier internals the t-5 when it is correctly built can handle just as much power as the tko. its just like the c-4 against the c-6. when built right the c-4 can handle as much power as the c-6 and it is lighter and has less rotating mass.

Jrgunn5150 · May 6, 2008

Mustang68 said:
I definitely agree with astro gears kits.. everyone ive pretty much talked to about upgrading t5's have recomended their kits over others.. them and richmond gear are the 2 main ones..

J.R. said:

The case is the reason I would recomend the Tremec too. Once you get the Astro full kit, and pay someone to put it in the trans (preferably someone reputable, not billy bob's transmissions, or AAMCO), you're nearly at the cost of a new TKO 500.

IMO, piece of mind is worth 4-5 hundred to me.

Click to expand...

ive always wondered.. what all is involved to swap out the t5's to go to the TKO's? i know ya need the trannys and possibly another driveshaft.. but other than that what else would you need? computer? wire harness? ect ect? or they just swap in like theyve always been there?

You need a bellhousing, crossmember, or mod yours, shifter, and possibly a clutch depending on the version. Total cost, all brand new is around 2300 for a 5.0 (i'm not entirely sure) They sell used all the time.

fastgtfairlane said:
ScottyDsntKnow said:

And it'll blow up sooner than a TKO as well. Like I said, small case=small gears.

Click to expand...

this can all depend on the drivers shifting ability too. dont get me wrong im not dissagreeing with you completely that the tko is a overall stronger transmission. however with the stronger and beefier internals the t-5 when it is correctly built can handle just as much power as the tko. its just like the c-4 against the c-6. when built right the c-4 can handle as much power as the c-6 and it is lighter and has less rotating mass.

I agree entirely, but most people can't shift a pro-shifted T5 properly, hell, most people can't shift a regular T5 properly, regardless of what they think.

ScottyDsntKnow · May 6, 2008

^ Agreed. On the other hand, it is VERY hard to miss the infamous 3rd gear with a TKO style tremec and a good shifter. Some people complain about the 1-2 shift being a pain in the ass. I agree that it is at first, but once you get used to it just rip the 1-2 shift hard and it'll go right in. Not like you're gonna hurt anything with a properly adjusted shifter stop either.

I remember reading a Tremec ad once. It said "if you're hand isn't hurting you aren't shifting properly". lol.