T5
Conversion for Ford Intermediates
The first installment, how-to fit the T5
in a full frame 70's Ford intermediate. |
Project
Torino
Never Expect a Perfect Fit
Should aftermarket parts that are designed for your application be
expected to fit perfectly, everytime? While overcoming some past set-backs
on Project Torino, we learn to be tolerant and adapt when necessary....
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The
TCI Experience
When you need a new Ford automatic transmission you really have one
of two choices. Find a local performance rebuilder to rework your
core or go with a remanufacturer that has already dissected and packaged
transmission combo... |
T5 Swap
for Early Fords
Overdrive transmissions are a great thing. They  enable
you to significantly improve the gearing and acceleration of your
car, while maintaining gas mileage and highway cruisability. Unfortunately
overdrives, manual or automatic, weren't offered in Ford vehicles
until the late 70's. But that doesn't mean you have to... |
Short
Sided
05-06 Mustang Shifter Installation
Some say Ford really hit the mark by designing the 2005 Mustang in
the spirit of the 65-68 Fastback body style. However Ford must have
had a design lapse in the shifter look and feel. We'll remedy that
with a classic looking but modern feeling Hurst short throw shifter......
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Swing
Shift
T5 Rebuild for 500 lb-ft capability
 For
small block Ford enthusiasts the T5 manual transmission may be the
greatest thing since sliced bread. With five fully synchronized forward
gears, overdrive, an internal shift-rail mechanism and the ability
to handle over 300 lb-ft of torque, the T5 is easily the number...
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Column
to Floor
The feel and  engagement
of an aftermarket floor shifter is far superior in comparison to a
stock column shifter. This is the single reason why automatic floor
shifters still have dedicated shelf space at automotive chain stores.
In this article we'll demostrate a "Column to Floor" conversion
using.... |
Big
Bang! Install a Blowproof Bellhousing
Installing a blowproof steel bellhousing is a pain  in
the ass, but probably nowhere near as hard as walking without any
feet. A while back we had the pleasure of learning first hand the
dangers of a clutch explosion. FORDMUSCLE staffer Jim Langely and
I were out at Sacramento...
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Late
Model AOD to T5 Conversion
Automatics are boring. Let's face it, stabbing the  clutch
and shifting the gears is the essence of performance driving. However,
as we had always planned from the moment we bought the '88 LX, the
time has come for the AOD tobe replaced with a T5 manual. We performed
the swap for several reasons... |
Manual
Trans Manual
We get a lot of emails from readers who want to  know
what all the different Ford overdrive manual transmissions are, and
what is the best for their car and engine. So we decided to give you
this quick reference manual to the four most popular overdrive transmissions
for... |
Six
Education
How to put a six speed in your ride.
The advantages of an overdrive  transmission
are so great that
no vintage Ford should go without one. You have choices, be it automatic,
manual, or an add-on unit. We show you how to go for broke by installing
the big daddy of sticks, the Viper-spec T56 six speed and a hydraulic
clutch, in a big block 1971 Mustang.
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Cable Guy!
Swapping a T5 overdrive manual transmission  into
an early Mustang or Falcon (or their Mercury cousins) has never been
more popular. We first did this swap in our '67 Mustang several years
ago, but since then countless others have also made the conversion
to the modern day five speed for the sake of better fuel economy...
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Get
in Line!
Make-up "safe" automatic transmission lines  and
protect your tranny with a SuperCooler.
Simply thinking of using rubber tranny lines? Going to run and aftermarket
cooler? There is a safer alternative to running 100% rubber from your
tranny to your cooler, and we did it without going with pre-bent...
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Get Converted: Torque Converter Upgrade
Let's face it, if you want quarter mile  performance
straight off the dealers lot an automatic is not a good option.
Automatic transmissions, in stock form, give up a significant amount
of power compared to their manual counterparts -the hydraulic coupling
is less efficient...
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Liven
up your AOD with a Shift Kit!
It is no coincidence that AOD spelled backwards  is
DOA. The Ford transmission is plagued with slow shifts, poor downshift
response, and an overall lack of performance. The fact is that if
you want to racing with an automatic transmission, you are better
off with a C4 or even a C6. However the AOD, being a four speed...
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Short Throw Shifter
installation and other T5 Upgrades
The Borg Warner T5 is undoubtedly a great  transmission.
It offers good gear ratios, overdrive for cruising the highways, and
at just 75 lbs., they weigh about half of a toploader or C4/C6/AOD
automatics. Because the dimensions and bellhousing patterns are the
same as that... |
Reviewing the B&M
Pro-Ripper shifter
At last count there were nearly a dozen types of  aftermarket
shifters for the T5 and T45 transmissions. Among the companies with
a product to offer was B&M, with their Ripper shifter. We installed
their original Ripper a couple years back, in our Project '67 Mustang.
That shifter still serves us without a glitch and has taken... |
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