Posted by 74merc (IP: 209.149.123.155) on April 09, 1999 at 22:30:23:
In Reply to: What I have to say about so called "ratings" posted by 72grabber on April 09, 1999 at 21:11:12:
ya see, I didn't build the damn things, nor did I say that the old ones won't hold up to normal driving. If you read my post, I said that if he's not driving the hell out of it, an early model T5 will do him just fine. As for the ratings, I didn't say a damn thing about horsepower, you pulled that one right out of your ass. I said torque. I didn't rate the transmissions, nor do I really care what you think about their ratings system. I know several people that have had trouble with earlier modlel T5s and I know many that have swapped trannys and everyone recommends later model trannys for 2 reasons.
1. Higher torque ratings.
2. The newer car probably has fewer miles on the tranny, ie, less likely to fail.
I didn't say which was cheaper, I didn't tell him which one he had to get. I gave my opinion and passed along some information that I have learned in my search for more than a 3 speed manual in my Comet. If you have a problem with that, take it to email. You seem to know alot for a man that reads magazines, did it ever occur to you that they're not all that accurate? Check the sites I mentioned above, the first gear is different on quite a few years. also, are you gonna tell me that a T5 is a T5? the ones that come in LX models, oh yea, they can handle some power, can't they? Take your ill informed self somewhere else and force your opinions on someone else, I don't give a %$@$%#$@. I live life in the real world, concerning FACTS. If I haven't done it, I will or know someone that has. Check your sources before you go mouthing off. I have checked 4 or 5 different sources between reading the original post and posting my response.
Go educate yourself...
James
http://www.iaw.on.ca/~aubertin/88mgt/misc/tranny.htm
http://www.blarg.net/~bossbill/t_5.html
http://www.stangnet.com/tech/t5swap.html
need any more info on T5s, check
http://www3.corral.net/bbs/index.html
post a question, you'll get tons of answers...
: Well, yes, those are "ratings" ,but they probably don't mean squat. The horsepower ratings of the mustang fluctuated from '89 to '93, but it had the same motor. This was due to the way Ford got their "ratings".
: I have done a lot of research on the T-5 too, reading many many magazine articles on them, and from what they tell me "a T-5 world class is a T-5 world class." If your buying a used one, '86-'93 is the same. A better version would be the "Z" rated T-5 sold by Ford motorsport for about $1100, it has stronger parts, steel input bearing retainer, low 2.95 first gear, etc. But it is "rated" a bit low too. You ought to pick up an issue of "Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords", they have tons of info on everything, and many featured cars running the T-5 in very high horsepower cars, they are very tough, as long as they aren't abused.
: And if you still want to go with the Tremec, you might as well get the TKO and go all out.
: And guess what? the 5.0L Ford was rated at about 300 ft-lbs. way beyond your "rated 240-260" of the T-5.
:
: : The 90-93 have the highest torque ratings, they won't break as easily. I meant to say 93, forgot it went that high. anyway, before 90 they're all rated between 240 and 260lbs, if you've done anything to your 302 its pulling that much torque, mine will be pulling much, much more when I get through. If you just want a standard and don't plan on driving it real hard, the earlier years will probably do you just fine. I've done some more checking, I'm pointing towards a Tremec 3550 now. Check this site out, it has alot of T5 info. Email me if you need anymore info.
: : James