T-5 Transmission

[Bill Bulmer]

I am just wondering how the T-5 transmission holds up for everyone. My motor is the Iconic 427 rated at 480 horsepower. There will be no holeshots or powershifting, will it hold up fairly well under those normal driving conditions?

[YerDugliness]

In a word...maybe.

One of the positive attributes shared by most Cobra replicas is light weight. That's great for power:weight ratio and improved handling and braking, but not so much for traction. That's a saving grace, the tendency to break the tires loose can prevent damage...maybe. The determining factor will be how well your suspension hooks up under power.

Most will just say "Hell, no!"...unless you have one of the better models, it's an inevitability waiting to happen.

They can be mod'd with specially treated parts to take fair amounts of power...your engine undoubtedly puts out more torque than these T-5's are designed for...that's the bottom line.

Hope yours lasts...mine has, and under spirited driving, too...but my engine is MUCH less powerful than yours and the 20-year old BFG's are hard and break loose quite easily.

Cheers!!

Dugly

[LMH]

Just make sure it's a Z model or has aftermarket equivalent gear set and it'll be fine. Shifting is much better than a TKO too.
Larry

[mikeinatlanta]

Agree with what's already posted. The T5 has a lot of mods available to help it take quite a bit of power. I went T5 because it is so light weight, but also spent more for it than a TKO.
If you want bulletproof, don't care about the best shifting, or don't care about weight, no I would not recommend the T5. If you want a lightweight great shifting transmission that has proven able to take a reasonable amount of abuse, and can be modded to take a lot of abuse, yes.

[YerDugliness]

Just curious...not trying to hijack this thread, but having a factory stock WC T-5 in my replica and anticipating better traction once the 20-year old BFGs are replaced with new M/T rubber, I am trying to prepare for the possibility of a failure...so, I am curious regarding sources for upgrading the T-5 in my replica. If anyone has already traveled this road, I would appreciate it if you would share your sources and also your level of satisfaction with the upgrades.

Thanks!

Cheers!!

Dugly

[Buzz]

I have a T5 behind a stout 383 stroker in my Unique. The original owner was known for regaling the masses with frequent displays of tire smoke and impromptu drag racing, and I enjoy less demonstrative but still brisk driving myself. In the beginning I decided to drive it until it breaks, but several years on it remains smooth shifting and as reliable as ever.

[GLS-BDR226]

I have a A-5 which was built by Astro in FL-it's a T5 with stronger gears,etc, built to take around 500 ft/lbs torque. It's a fine gearbox, smooth shifting and will take some abuse. Of course it's behind a 302 which outputs around 400 flywheel hp. I do have Avons which stick well and don't break lose easily.

My original T5 didn't hold up well, the 2nd gear syncros went out after a couple of thousand miles and my 302 didn't have the mods I have now. It was only pulling 280 rwhp then.

The A5 cost as much as a TKO but I didn't have to change the bellhousing, etc. I've been happy with the A5.

[LMH]

Originally Posted by YerDugliness

Just curious...not trying to hijack this thread, but having a factory stock WC T-5 in my replica and anticipating better traction once the 20-year old BFGs are replaced with new M/T rubber, I am trying to prepare for the possibility of a failure...so, I am curious regarding sources for upgrading the T-5 in my replica. If anyone has already traveled this road, I would appreciate it if you would share your sources and also your level of satisfaction with the upgrades.

Thanks!

Cheers!!

Dugly

Contact Astro for any upgrade parts or questions: https://www.astroperformance.com/pro...mission-parts/
Also Gordon Levy: Factory Five Builder, High-Performance Ford Automotive Parts – Levy Racing
Either can set up T5's for just about anything.
Larry

[YerDugliness]

Thanks!

I knew some of the Astro-van T-5s were severe duty capable...but didn't know upgrades were available.

Cheers!!

Dugly

[JohnnyRay]

Originally Posted by YerDugliness

Hope yours lasts...mine has, and under spirited driving, too...but my engine is MUCH less powerful than yours and the 20-year old BFG's are hard and break loose quite easily.

Cheers!!

Dugly

Probably time for some new rubber there Dugly....

[YerDugliness]

Absolutely!!!

Cheers!

Dugly

[cbreez]

Don't worry about tko...

[Bernica]

Don't worry about the TKO. Just pull it and put in a nice stout Toploader!
I thought I would save Rodney and Rodknock the time in giving me Sh$t.

[tamanaco]

How many miles do you want it to last? How sticky are the rear tires? once in gear put the floor and are the tires going to spin or is the car going to hook up...my guess is spin, in the first few gears.

Next, if your not power shifting, not doing hole shots at 4K, and not wanting 75,000 miles on the tranny...you'll be OK if it's the WC T5...IE the 330 Ft#torque unit.

[Rich A]

Originally Posted by Bill Bulmer

I am just wondering how the T-5 transmission holds up for everyone. My motor is the Iconic 427 rated at 480 horsepower. There will be no holeshots or powershifting, will it hold up fairly well under those normal driving conditions?

Bill,
The Ford Racing SD Z spec (330hp+), Astro A-5 (550hp+), ProMotion PRO/GF's (600hp+)
will hold up easily with no whole shots or power shifting and the
ProMotion PRO/GF's Helical Cut Facetooth (NMRA LEGAL) will hold up to whole shots or 7k rpm power shifting.


The majority of the problem with T-5s is caused by Drivers errors!!!
Most Drivers drop in a worn out factory T-5 made for a 225hp, ~3:27 R&P, with a misadjusted clutch, sloppy shifter or
run slicks and expect it to hold together.

Don't listen to those idiots that say a T5 can't handle it.
That right, I said it!

[Bill Bulmer]

Thank you everyone, especially Rich, for all the great thoughts and helpful information, you are a great bunch of guys.