[JC455]

Hi all,
I just finished an '01 3.8L V6 Mustang T5 trans to Pontiac V8 video-

https://youtu.be/ZQOnFW_Tv9E

Most of the info is the same for the 5.0L Mustang T5 World Class from 85-93, just skip the part about changing the input shaft...
Now I know this swap is not for everyone- this trans is rated for 300 ft lbs in stock form. It can be cheaply upgraded for a tad bit more, but if you're out there ripping and stomping on it, it's going to break.
I did this video for the guys who are wanting an inexpensive overdrive conversion. I chose the 94-04 Mustang V6 because they are much more available the the 84-93 5.0L Mustang, the 85-92 GM F car T5, and the late model S10/Astrovan/etc. T5's... In fact, this trans is probably the strongest/easiest T5 to adapt... and no weird 17* mounting angle stuff to contend with.

This trans is going into my 64 Tempest that currently houses a worn-out P350, so I don't think I'm in much danger of exceeding it's torque rating. This would also be a great trans for a 326 or a 301. I know guys are using them behind 400's, but you need to cruise it-- NO clutch dumps and big, smokey burnouts- You WILL find its limitations.

[JC455]

Also, this video starts out by converting the 94-04 T5 to a Fox body 5.0L 85-93 style T5.

[Formulajones]

Interesting swap.

I got on the subject of these in other threads when the McLeod transmission was mentioned, which is basically a T-5 in a new case.

These can be pretty worthy transmissions. Astro makes all kinds of upgrade parts and gear ratios for them taking the trans up to 600 ft lbs. Even a stock unit can take a fair amount of abuse with just a simple upgrade with steel cluster support and steel bearing retainer and you can get into them pretty cheap.
I recently bought a new T-5 cobra spec with 2.95 first gear and upgraded internals to abuse. I like the gear spread better than my TKO-600, and it shifts beautifully.

[FirebirdHank]

I have a world class F-body t-5 behind the 350 in my '69 Firebird. It's been at least 5 years and I'm very happy with it.

[Formulajones]

Here's a link to Astro Performance. If you ever need upgrade parts, or don't like the 3.35 first gear, they offer different gear ratios that are a pretty easy swap to make it a 2.95 close ratio, and overdrive gear changes, stronger 9310 alloy offered, they can be made to be pretty stout.

https://www.astroperformance.com/pro...smission-parts

[JC455]

WOW! 485 ft. lbs. and a 575 ft. lbs. kit?! I guess that'd be pretty close to a TKO 500 and a TKO 600 in an externally smaller footprint case.
Now I see how McLeod was building their 5 speed gear train.

[Formulajones]

Originally Posted by JC455

WOW! 485 ft. lbs. and a 575 ft. lbs. kit?! I guess that'd be pretty close to a TKO 500 and a TKO 600 in an externally smaller footprint case.
Now I see how McLeod was building their 5 speed gear train.

Yep,
The mustang crowd has been doing this for years so when McLeod came out with their GM case, it immediately clicked with me, and I knew where they were getting the internals.

The cool part is, someone can do exactly what you did. You can get into these T5's pretty cheap at the bone yard, retro fit it, and if you feel the need to beef them up it's as simple as buying what you want, what gear ratios you want and HP level. You can even tailor the overdrive ratio. At one time they were offering .62 and up to .68 or .70 or something like that.

[PontiacMatt72]

That’s a nice option, but for $1500 just for the upgrade parts plus the cost of a used T5 trans (~$500+ Is what I’m seeing locally), you can be into a used T56 or the newer TR6060.

But, If you already have the T5 setup in the car, that’s a great option!

[Formulajones]

Of course those bigger transmissions also give you a different set of obstacles to overcome. The attraction of the T5, and why McLeod markets a GM version, is it's very small package. On the other hand the TKO has been around for years and is packaged very well to fit various models without fuss, but like you said you're getting into a different price point again. Either way you slice it you end up spending money.

[OG68]

I often wondered about the T5 transmission and how easy it would be to swap into a Pontiac.
IIRC their lineage can be traced back to the Ford 3 and 4 speed top loaders. And as you know the Dearborn trans is a top loader.

Just wondering...