How strong is a T-5 transmission?

[halfafish]

Yes, I know this question is in the slant forum instead of the transmission forum, but it's a slant based question. I have a 64 Valiant that has many options in front of it since it needs a heap-o-work to be road worthy. I have just about all the parts needed to make these plans happen and I'm doing some idle speculation at the moment.

One option is to take a 318 and either a 4-speed OD auto or one of the many 4-speed manuals I have and drop that in place. However, I have a huge soft spot for slants, and that's what is in the car at the moment. I've been watching @rich_mc and his Torqstorm project, and I'm toying with that idea. I have a T-5 trans and the adapter plate to mate that up to a slant. The question is, what kind of HP and torque will the T-5 handle? I have no intention of building a fire breathing dragon, but a blown slant would be a real hoot, and a sleeper of epic proportions.

 

[Garrett Ellison]

I'd run a "World Class" T5 behind a blown slant without hesitation... What say ye, @RustyRatRod?

 

[rich_mc]

If ya need somebody to prove concept first with your donated stuff, I'm game...

 

[halfafish]

If ya need somebody to prove concept first with your donated stuff, I'm game...

Well that's neighborly of you! When you finish getting your setup sorted out, I would return the favor and drop it in my car with the rest of my drivetrain to see what happens . Too bad we are 2500 miles apart...

 

[rich_mc]

@halfafish - we could probably put together one pretty decent car between our stuff!

I'll be watching this thread as a manual has been in the back of my mind for maybe at some point.

 

[TT5.9mag]

I blew 3rd gear out of a world class T5 with a blown (vortec centrifugal) 347 small block ford, I beat that thing like it owed me money and it lasted about two years. I’d guess it made 475lb/ft and the mustang was around 3300lbs. I see no chance of a blown slant hurting a WC t5 if you know how to shift/take care of a manual trans.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I'd run a "World Class" T5 behind a blown slant without hesitation... What say ye, @RustyRatRod?

Yeah they will live fine. The one I have is a 1995 World Class Tremec T5. The stated max torque spec is 330 LBFT, but all the Ford guys agree they'll take "somewhere" above 400. Suffice it to say they'll live fine. I'm doing it to mine, too.

 

[Cuda Mike]

Just saw this at a car show....sweet!

 

[halfafish]

Just saw this at a car show....sweet!

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Very nice- I'm jealous!

 

[Kern Dog]

In the 80s, the IROC Camaros had these transmissions in the 305 cars. the 350 cars were automatic only because they didn't trust the T5 to hold up to the 245 HP 350.
That is pretty sad.

 

[Mr. Sinister]

My Son in law has 2 ‘90 Mustangs and they are both T5 cars and he “Granny’s” those “Glass trans” 5 speeds.

 

[340sFastback]

Bought my '88 5.0 new. Took it to drag strip few times back in day held gas pedal to floor when shifting to get better ET. Original T5 still in perfect shape today. But its always had all season radial tires on it. Bolt on some sticky tires I bet trans would break.

 

[Dartsun]

I’m under the impression they hold up to 300ish. This a mustang one here WC.

 

[Scody21]

There is a Jag e type in my brothers shop, has the 4.2 with the world class that’s been modded to fit. The tank motor of the jag, killed 5th first and then 3rd. Ripped the teeth right off. We’re not sure what the power level was on that motor as it was new to us, the owner also managed to throw a rod out the side of the oil pan…

 

[Professor Fate]

Asked my smart-*** Ford buddy what he thought of the T5s, and all he said is "They last until they blow up. Sweep it up and get another one."
Hmph. Ford guys.

 

[TT5.9mag]

Asked my smart-*** Ford buddy what he thought of the T5s, and all he said is "They last until they blow up. Sweep it up and get another one."
Hmph. Ford guys.

He’s not wrong.

 

[middleagecrisis]

Asked my smart-*** Ford buddy what he thought of the T5s, and all he said is "They last until they blow up. Sweep it up and get another one."
Hmph. Ford guys.

I'm not sure how cheap or available a used T-5 is anymore, because most led a hard life. I've owned close to a dozen Fox Body Mustangs, most with a T-5. If it's in good shape when you install it, you'll probably never have a problem. The best thing you can do them is install a short throw shifter with adjustable throw stops. The factory shifter, besides being horribly sloppy, has no mechanical stops in place to keep you from over-extending the shifting forks during hard shifting.

 

[halfafish]

I'm not sure how cheap or available a used T-5 is anymore, because most led a hard life.

Well, I have one sitting all forlorn and feeling unloved, buried deep inside Parts Mountain.

As always, good info so far guys, and thanks. If I go slant with this, I don't plan to thrash on it much - more of a fun street car. Even a healthy NA slant would be a nice match-up.

Another question since I'm deep into newby territory. There are several mentions of a "world class" T-5. That is the "world class" business about?

 

[missing linc]

I've had a few T5 equipped fox body Mustangs and beat the living **** out of them all. The only weakness I found was the factory shifter. The last one I had was equipped with an aftermarket shifter, can't remember which one, but it was far superior.
As for the 'world class', I believe they have hardened internals and a higher torque rating.

 

[Professor Fate]

slantsix.org had an excellent writeup going over the differences between all the different versions of the T-5 called "The definitive all your questions answered T5 T-5 5 speed To Slant 6 Transmission Swap Guide"- However the link now appears to be dead; as a matter of fact I can't connect to the forum at all now. Maybe someone has an updated link they could share? Hope they haven't gone away...

 

[Dartfreak75]

I've been wanting to try one for a while. I was seriously considering doing the swap in my dart until i saw the price of the sbm to t5 bell house prices. They are crazy expensive for a piece of stamped steel. Right out ridiculous imo! So I just stuck with the automatic. If I ever come across one cheap enough or in a junk yard I'm gonna buy it and see about making my own bellhousing. BTW the same bell house for a sbc is 1/3 of the price! Highway robbery!

 

[Dartfreak75]

I just stumbled across this one after I posted this is a more reasonable option. But I don't see that it's spi certified. Not a big deal unless your racing

 

[Professor Fate]

I've been wanting to try one for a while. I was seriously considering doing the swap in my dart until i saw the price of the sbm to t5 bell house prices. They are crazy expensive for a piece of stamped steel. Right out ridiculous imo! So I just stuck with the automatic. If I ever come across one cheap enough or in a junk yard I'm gonna buy it and see about making my own bellhousing. BTW the same bell house for a sbc is 1/3 of the price! Highway robbery!

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T-5 Bellhousing Adapter Plate For Slant Six | gillwelding
It says for slant 6, but there's no reason it couldn't be used on a small block bellhousing.
I think this is what @RustyRatRod 's using for his T-5, so he may have some first-hand experience with it.

 

[Dartfreak75]

T-5 Bellhousing Adapter Plate For Slant Six | gillwelding
It says for slant 6, but there's no reason it couldn't be used on a small block bellhousing.
I think this is what @RustyRatRod 's using for his T-5, so he may have some first-hand experience with it.

Thats nifty! I had seen those. Looks like something I could make myself for 20 bucks or so lol thanks I appreciate that .

 

[Killer6]

I just stumbled across this one after I posted this is a more reasonable option. But I don't see that it's spi certified. Not a big deal unless your racing

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That's actually a helluva good deal for that...