T5 Borg Warner into an A body???

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retsud_043

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I know this might turn a lot of stomachs, but I am thinking of putting a T5 borg warner from a 1991 Mustang Gt into my 1970 Duster project. There are a few different manufacturers that make a LA bellhousing to a T5 borg warner trans. I am on a tight budget and cant really afford the Keisler kits.
The transmisssion I am thinking of using has a 310 ft.lb. torque rating which should be sufficient for the 340 I am building.
I know it would be much easier to just spend the money for the kit and be done with it but I never seem to do anything the easy way :???:
If anyone can share their experieces or comments on my project, I would really appreciate it. Thanks
retsud043
 
If you went that route I would give that t-5 a very short life expectancy, even in front of a MILD 340.

Don't worry, a lot of guys have considered doing what you are thinking (even me). I would like to hear some people's experiences with this.
 
I agree, A T5 won't last long behind a 340. I wouldn't even put one behind a 318. Any money saved will be eaten up buying multiple trannys.

Chuck
 
Power rating should be fine. Fitment and clutch actuation is the challenge.

You will need to consider the trans x-member interference with the rear mounted shifter located on the t5 tail shaft. They end up in the same place. It will require cutting and welding the x-member. I would try to figure out how to retain the structural integrity of the x-member. All your torsion bar forces are transmitted across it.

How do you plan on actuating the clutch? Hydraulic or Cable. Both require modifications. Hydraulic may get expensive (internal or external slave, master cylinder source, etc). Cable will likely require mods and figuring out how to make a bell crank for the clutch pedal. Will also need to clear your exhaust enough to not bake the cable.

Clutch selection may be challenging also. Will have to have a clutch that bolts to the mopar crank but has the proper trans imput spline count for the t5

This would be a challenge for sure.
 
T5 have been known to stand up behind some pretty stout power. Remember the torque ratings are factory for a production car for 100K miles. It isn't a one-time peak torque rating.

If you were going to run a t5 in a heavy car with lots of torque or a a light vehicle with excellent traction I would be very wary.

Putting a good shifter (with positive stops) on the t5 will often be the best investment in longevity.

Again fitment will be the biggest challenge, especially on a budget.
 
retsud043 said:
I know this might turn a lot of stomachs, but I am thinking of putting a T5 borg warner from a 1991 Mustang Gt into my 1970 Duster project. There are a few different manufacturers that make a LA bellhousing to a T5 borg warner trans. I am on a tight budget and cant really afford the Keisler kits.
The transmisssion I am thinking of using has a 310 ft.lb. torque rating which should be sufficient for the 340 I am building.
I know it would be much easier to just spend the money for the kit and be done with it but I never seem to do anything the easy way :???:
If anyone can share their experieces or comments on my project, I would really appreciate it. Thanks
retsud043
Click to expand...
i used to be a ford guy. the tranny you have would be a t5 world class wich is moderatly stronger than a regular t5 .in any case i blew through 2 t5s and three world class in a stock 82 gt mustang with a 2bbl. i dont think i would attempt to put one behind a stock /6.with all the money i spent on trannys i could have bought 2 tremecs.i guess my point is you have a nice mopar, if you want to have any fun with it that tranny wont live long at all.if you r putting around town and never get on it it might last a while.i would save the headache and expense.maybe find a used gear vendors od if that is what you want.save your money and do it right the first time.how embarrasing to dump the clutch on some ricer and ya got gears and atf (yes they use atf)all over the street while the little lawnmower runs away to call you a tow truck.8)
 
Thank you all for your thoughts. You have convinced me to save the headache and wasted time and get the proper transmission for my project.
 
I have a 273 powered car with a t5 out of a s10 with a 4 banger, I have a lot of miles on it already, and I like it, I would think the 4 banger t5 is more weak than the mustang unit, but I dont know, it works fine for me.
 
I have an '88 Mustang LX 5.0L, 5 speed, convertible I bought new. I can not count how many time I have power shifted the car (hold gas pedal to the floor and shift quickly). Not one single problem with the trans, it still shifts perfectly to this day. Car currently has 46,000 miles on it. I ran the car at the strip and it ran a 14.1 ET with street tires. Car has never had slicks on it and I still run the stock shifter. I don't believe the T5s aren as weak as people keep saying. Now if you shift into third like you are trying to knock the headlight out yes they will break. And they probably won't last long with a 400 plus hp V8 and sticky rear tires either. But for a mild V8 with street tires in a lighter car it should last a while.
 
i have a 88 dakota with built 318 and stock 4 banger 5 speed that was intruck when i bought it, have done many burnouts and hard lauches with it and no problems yet, even raced a camero and won, truck has 3.90 gears and about 300 HP, and stock v6 clutch from 89 dakota
 
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