Need a simple T45 question answered, please...

LoveThoseSnakes · #1 (**permalink**) 11-03-2004, 09:49 PM

I'm replacing a T45 tranny for my 1998 Mustang Cobra. I guess this was a transition year for the mechanical/electronic speedometer. The problem is that I don't know what I am looking at and I need to determine whether this car requires a mechanical or electronic T45 transmission.

On the transmission is an electronic sender but that does not mean it doesn't have mechanical gears inside that run it. So if there is nothing but an electronic signal sent to the speedometer, does that make it an electronic speedometer? I REALLY don't want to purchase the wrong transmission. Please email me, if you would. Thank you very much. Walter
MisterSmokestoomuch@Yahoo.com

trularin · #2 (**permalink**) 11-04-2004, 05:22 AM

Compare PNs.

The T45 will only fit the 4.6L, so you should be able to check the PNs

LoveThoseSnakes · #3 (**permalink**) 11-04-2004, 01:45 PM

I contacted the fellow there at D&D Performance for the answer... and it is not what I would have guessed. It is mechanical, even though nothing but wires leaves the sender unit, which hangs off the transmission maybe an inch. Go figure.

cobracrazy · #4 (**permalink**) 12-05-2004, 09:52 PM

The speedo signal is created by a mechanical gear just like a cable speedo. The gear drives a electronic sending unit which converts the gear rotation to a signal for the ECM. This signal is the same as any electronic speedo signal so even if you have a fancy project car without a ford ecm you still have no worries, you'll just need an regular high quality electonic speedo.

the '98 mustang's speedo is not a typical electronic speedo at all... because it is driven by the ECM and not directly from the sending unit at all...

a mechanical cable can be installed right into a t-45 with no problems at all. Keep in mind that cobras and gt cars had trannies with a different number of teeth on the internal speedo drive gear so check your speedo accuracy if you are doing something like this.

etc etc etc.

I visit the forum rarely but feel free to email if you need very specific answers. I'm happy to help.

Adam Crabtree
adamc@bloodenterprises.com