Any T5Z Experts? I Have A Question

LMH · #1 (**permalink**) 05-21-2014, 04:02 PM

Not my transmission but I have a question about the shifter on a Z-Spec T5.
Can the shifter be turned around to move it forward a couple inches?
The mounting box is elongated and I wondered if it could be turned around like the TKO.
Larry

Seagull81 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-21-2014, 04:47 PM

Call Gordon Levy. He is near you and builds them.

LMH · #3 (**permalink**) 05-21-2014, 08:58 PM

That's a good idea! I'll get a hold of him and ask. Thanks!
Larry

Rick 427 Cobra · #4 (**permalink**) 05-22-2014, 12:10 AM

I did exactly what your talking about.
I bought a new T5z, removed the tail housing, and sourced a S10 pick up housing with a mechanical speedo drive, shifter and the top cover. .See the photo for the difference. All this swapping around takes only minutes. However,,,because the speedo cable hole is now in a new place, the drive gear does not align with the new hole. We ended up replacing the output shaft with a Chevy T5 unit and used the S10 drive and were golden. There are people who say you can shim the driven gear in place on the Ford shaft but I chose not to do this. We also installed .83 5th gear at that time
The rear drive yoke will have to fit the Chevy splines also.
This might help explain better http://www.flatheadv8.org/t5-swap.htm

Rick 427 Cobra · #5 (**permalink**) 05-22-2014, 12:48 AM

Picture is the S10 shift lever ready to mate to the Ford T handle. I heated it and angled it forward a bit after I welded it for looks. And finally all done.

LMH · #6 (**permalink**) 05-22-2014, 08:09 AM

Thanks Rick! We looked at that but thought the shifter was actually too far forward as compared to a BW T-10 in a leaf spring car. Haven't given up yet though and am looking for a measurement from bellhousing to shifter on the T-10.
Larry

Rick 427 Cobra · #7 (**permalink**) 05-23-2014, 02:44 PM

My car is a leaf spring car.
The difference in spacing amounts to 3.5 " center to center between the original and new levers or alternatively 3.5 "from the face of the dash to center of the new lever. All the after market trans are centerline shift. You can modify the lever to offset to the left. There is one other possibility.
Among the some 200+ T5 combo's , AMC was a first adopter of the T5.
Their housing is a hybrid of the S10 and the T5Z, moving the shift box to a mid position. Good luck finding one.
I must say that having the overdrive gear is well worth the effort. MUCH better for freeway cruising.

LMH · #8 (**permalink**) 05-23-2014, 06:54 PM

Thanks! I didn't know about the AMC T5 but I found through research the Chevette T5.
Tail housing might be the thing to find but like you say, good luck finding one. I'm not sure what would be involved in combining the tailshaft housing to a Z-Spec or even if it can be done but looking into it. Shifter looks to be in the right place.
Larry