Opinion on Tremac

[george from georgia]

Would someone advise the advantages to using a Tremac TKO instead of the Mustang doner?

Starting with a fairly stock 302, but after the Kit is drivable, would like to rebuild another motor (351 ? ) for more HP.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[dalola]

George,

It's mostly just a matter of torque and HP ratings. The tremec 3550/TKO are stronger than your stock Mustang T5. If you are using a mild 302, a Mustang T5 would probably work fine. You can always upgrade later if you go to a higher HP 351. Also, remember these cars are fairly light, and usually run street tires, which is helpful to making a transmission live longer.

Good luck

P.S. There are MANY transmission posts here, you may want to go back and read through them.

Dave

[george from georgia]

Thanks for your help.

I am looking for a short throw, smooth gated shifting.

Would you know of any modifications that would assist?

Would you care to comment on this aspect?

[dalola]

George,

Tremecs and T5's are internal rail type, so shifting is usually a smooth, easy task. About all one needs to do to improve feel is perhaps an aftermarket shifter, such as a Pro 5.0. This will tighten up the gate, and give a slightly shorter throw.

Now, you really wanna feel a sweet shifting car, hop into a Honda S2000 or a Mazda Miata. Too bad they don't come with V-8's!!

Dave

[JAM1775]

The T5 is definitely a smoother shift than the tremec. I used a B&M Ripper on my donor T5 for a really short throw but I recently found the Pro 5.0 to be even better than the B&M as installed on my tremec. tremec ? Yes...I installed one after breaking third gear in my T5Z. I had a donor T5 behind a crate (385/412) 351W..no problems. 1000 miles.
Up graded to the T5Z for first gear...no problems for 1000 miles.
Upgraded the motor thru head porting to 450hp. Third gear gone on the first 5500 rom shift. Installed the tremec with pro 5.0 shifter...no problems. The T5 can probably handle up to 400hp ..at least for me.
My crate motor originally dynoed at 405 hp flywheel (337rwhp)
and the smooth shifting T5 held it just fine. The Tremec is a bit more "gravelly" but I quickly got used to it and after break in I just love it. Other factors are tire grip , high HP or low end TQ motor and of course clutch. The FMS 10.5" hipo clutch bites hard. I had that with BFG DR's..the extra TQ went right thru the T5 gear. IMHO the T5 is a great tranny...some are almost indestrucable ! Start with that...but get a fund ready when you go up in power...just in case !

[Jack21]

Went through the same decision process.

The T5 is smoother, but is limited in abuse tolerance. The Tremec will take more abuse.

I went the T-5 route, but along the way I learned the only T5 to use on a 351 Cobra is the T5Z (2.95 low) new, from SVO. These were not fitted on any production Mustangs, so you won't find them on donors. I bought a blueprinted T5Z from Liberty Transmissions, and put a Hurst shifter in it.

The engine I'm using is a tweaked 351W, street tires, and is a street only car. I typically baby a car anyway, so the trans should last awhile.

[Slide]

George, I had an 89Mustang 90K miles on the stockT5 360rwh gt40everything+paxton. 114mph on slicks at Pomona 3600lbs. The clutch gave out but the T5 shifted like new. Guess there must be a lot of variation in T5 strength.