t-5 confused which one?
 

I've read the Ultimate t-5 swap article but each time I read it I'm just a little bit more confused. In the which to use section of this article it mentions the v6 Astrovan transmissions as having a desirable ratio but it does not mention the years of the van. I didn't even know the astrovan was offered with a manual transmission option. It seems every one I have ever seen has the automatic shifter on the column.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

The S-10 is the most widely used. HRP

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

The older S10 T5s from 82-83 (?) until sometime in '88 mostly had the very low first gear (stump puller - normally behind a 4-cyl)) and the mechanical speedo tailshaft. The 88-92 usually had the more desirable first and 5th gear ratios but an electronic speedo tailshaft. So, most will combine the better gearset from the later 88-92 trans to the older mechanical tailshaft.

A couple gauge manufacturers do have speedos that will synch with the pulse (?) output of the S10 electronic speedo - I personally have been just skipping the tailshaft swap in favor of a GPS box hanging off my windshield. There is also a GPS speedo converter (?) you can buy now but it's a bit pricey at the moment.

Casing numbers should start with 1352-xxx but the tag off of one of the lower bolts holding the tailshaft to the head of the tranny is the one that gives a number you can look up and get the gear ratio off of. Flat Ernie has gobs of info on T5s - just do a search here on this forum for T5s or Flat Ernie and check the link he has when he posts. He may also comment here at some point ....

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

With the conversion kit that I sell I recommend the 85/92 S10/S15 Borg Warner T5 with the 85/89 having a manual speedo and the later ones being electric. I wouldn't go older than 85 as the low is really a stump puller while the later ones aren't as bad. On most installs after 1934 including the F1 my kit uses the stock clutch linkage. Gary at Cornhusker Rod And Custom

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

If you click on the link below, you will find a list of every T-5 ever made with the vehicle application and the gear ratios listed by the 1352-xxx code.

http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Bo...T5-ID-Tags.htm

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

Does the cab of an F1 have to come off to do this conversion or can it be done with the cab on?
I'm assuming the engine has to come out.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

I did my 1950 f1 with cab on and engine in. no problem.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

With an open driveshaft, no major dis-assembly should be required. You'll have some clutch linkage issues to resolve but they're doable. A hydraulic clutch may help.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

My av8 has an '87 s10 t5 and 1st is a stump puller. Pull the motor, and install motor and trans in one. If you had a tork tube, and going with a open drive shaft, you'll probally have clutch chatter issues. I know i did , until i installed chatter rods. But still have some. But if i tach it up and let the clutch out theres barely any.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

I have a S10 T5 behind my 60hp, and it works great. I have a new spare adaptor bell housing that uses a chevy style throwout arm if you are interested and if it would fit. Not sure about that fitment. This is in my 3/4 scale 32, and I didn't have room for the chevy arm for the pedals were in the way.
Lee

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

The T5 is an amazing transmission. It has the capability of being tailored to almost any application what with all the different gear ratios available.

If you have a transmission shop in your area that is familiar with high performance,

you might talk to them and see if they can build you one from parts like I did.

You can get almost any ratios you want in all the gears.

If you are going to drag race you will want ratios different from those for primarily road driving.

For one of my T5's I have the basic 212 model gears with the exception of overdrive which is the .86. The close ratios keep the rpm in the optimum range.

Another advantage of having one assembled from parts, you can get all the late good stuff like the fancy synchros, a double bushing in the tail shaft and any type speedo drive you want.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

To give me an idea what I would want with a t-5 does anyone have any idea what the ratio is on a stock 3 speed ford 48 F1 trans is? Or can someone tell me what might be the closest match to what my current ratio is? I'm trying to figure out what I would want for a first gear in a t-5 if I have the options of choosing gears.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

Richard,
I was under the truck the other day wire brushing the differential and on the back of the pinion housing attached to one of the bolts holding the back cover on I unearthed a tag that is stamped #41 over #11 with a letter W in front of that fraction. Any idea what that means?
I'll start looking for a trans today.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

The tag usually indicates the ring gear/pinion tooth count. You would have a 3.73 ratio which I think would be unusual for a pick up of that vintage. Is the rear the original type for the truck?

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

For your current transmission ratios, you will probably have to tear it down and count teeth. It is very unlikely it is original.
As far as what you want in a 5 speed, there are many factors involved besides rear end ratio. Probably the most important is, how do you drive or how do you want to drive. All the advice in the world won't do you any good if you haven't established some parameters.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

A lot of folks talk about how low 1st gear is in some of the T5. I've posted the math several times and am too lazy to do it again, but suffice to say, if you ever haul anything, the lower first gear is nice. Otherwise, it's great in traffic. ;)

Honestly though, I've never heard anyone truly complain about any T5 swap. Some minor musings about wishing the gears were slightly longer for first, but until you drive one, you really won't know what you like. As Pete says, application is just as important as the ratios.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

I used a 1982 S10 trans. My F1 gets used as a truck so I really like the low 1st gear. Use it a lot. 2nd gear isn't so high you can't use it to start out as long as you are not on a steep hill.
Once again. Application is what counts.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

I've started my search for a transmission through the local salvage yards.
I'm asking for 90-92 S-10 2WD. So far just one guy has a unit. He's pulling the tag numbers for me tomorrow so I can see exactly what it is.
To be clear as long as the shell is correct I can make changes to the gearing inside right?
I also spoke to Van Pelts and I will at some point pull my top cover off my current three speed to see also exactly what I have now. I may have this information in my Mac Book but I can't find it anywhere and by chance my computer file on the trans rebuild was wiped out and lastly my digital camera is also misplaced and some of the rebuild photos might still be on that disc. Too much going on at one time.....
I mostly use the truck to go around town. There will definitely be times when I put some things in the back but it's not a daily hauler so the longer first gear is more attractive to me. Currently my first gear will push me to 10 or 12 miles an hour before I need to switch into second gear. I'l like a little more.
Stay tuned and thanks for all the help.....

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

[QUOTE=bugsiegel;
I'm asking for 90-92 S-10 2WD. So far just one guy has a unit. He's pulling the tag numbers for me tomorrow so I can see exactly what it is.
To be clear as long as the shell is correct I can make changes to the gearing inside right?.[/QUOTE]

Yes, internals can be switched and swapped.

May I ask why you're limiting yourself to 90-92?

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

Because I believe that I have the best chance of catching a trans that will have the longest first gears available/offered. Am I correct, or should I open the search to different years and if so which years?

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

I'm too lazy right now to go through the math, but I know I've posted on this in the past to show RPM, rpm drop between shifts, and the differences between the combos of the common ratios.

Most '88-up will have the 3.76 1st gear if you're looking for that though.

EDIT: OK, I did a search and while I didn't find the exact thread I was looking for, here's one that will give you an idea of the rpm drop differences between what you're running now and what either T5 will give you. Of note, there's only about a 5mph difference between the gearsets in 1st gear.

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34833

My point? The purpose of a 5-spd is more about gear spacing - the overdrive is just a bonus. Why do you think all the performance cars of the 60s had 4-spds - more gears. Less RPM drop between shifts is really far better than the actual ratios.

If you're going to be picky, you should just have one of the several T5 companies build you a T5. That way, you can pick and choose the ratios and not be limited to the two available in the S10.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

if you run the camaro trans (which has better gears i believe), with the s-10 mechanical speedo tails haft, the shifter position is closer to the early ford 3 spd.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

Question:
will it mater if the transmission comes out of a 2wd or 4wd?
in my search this question keeps coming up
what are you guys paying for a used trans?
One last question can an electronic speedo trans be converted to cable

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

Yes. 4WD won't work (unless you are going to try to machine your own adapter to mate it to a torque tube).

Supposedly, some of them can and others can't. I'm not smart on which can/can't. A guy on the HAMB, 'Snarl', is up on this conversion and which ones can be.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

I had some time to call around today. I believe I'm close to finding one.
some questions though:
I will be using the t-5 bell housing right? will I need an adaptor ring to make it fit the flathead?
what issues will I have to contend with? will I have to change input shaft, output shaft, drive shaft I believe I may have some clutch linkage issues to deal with. I don't think I want to go over to hydraulic clutch. And there may be an issue with the pressure plate fitting on the input shaft?
Thanks Guys...

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

Contact Cornhusker Rod and Custom in Nebraska. I got the whole ass'y kit from them. A little pricey until you realize the kit comes with everything you need to make the swap except the special clutch disk, and they have it. Well worth the price. Everything fit and worked flawlessly. No hassles at all. The only thing you will need to do is make a cutout in the adapter to clear the starter dust cover.
Be aware you must modify the rear cross member no matter what trans you use.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

4t8v8
That's a big help. Thanks

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

Right on Richard. Good way to go if you can. I am in a very rural area and have no access to anyone who can build the adapter plate and if you are fortunate enough to find the right T5 at a reasonable price. Back when I did mine I found an S10 transmission in excellent condition for $45. Try finding one for that now.
I did reuse:
1. The stock bellhousing.
2. The stock flywheel.
3. The stock clutch linkage (unmodified)
4. The stock pressure plate.
5. The pilot bearing and throwout bearing will not work with a S10 Transmission and you will need a custom clutch disk to fit the splines on the transmission.
6. Maybe on a car the rear motor mount is only modified a little. On a F1 the modification is extensive. Had to cut the center out of the original so the transmission would clear, built a new cross member out of 3" channel iron and braced the 2 pieces of the original mount to the new one as the brake and clutch is mounted to the left side.
Pretty good job but well worth it. If bugsiegel will google the F1 to T5 swap on the internet there are some very good articles with pictures that will help a lot.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

After you count the gears as Pete suggests, you can use this chart to help compare the old Ford 3 speed to a T-5

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

I used an Astrovan main case; the two bottom bolt holes line up perfectly with those in the stock '53 bellhousing. I put a 2.95 Camaro gear set in it.

Then I used a Ford input shaft which fits both the pilot bearing and the throwout bearing. The Astrovan tail section puts the shifter in the ideal location.

The adapter is just a simple flat plate with some basic machining done on it. I found a mechanical speedometer cable at Auto Zone for $12.

That was about three years ago, and everything's still wroking great.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

Richard in Florida has the right combination. Only problem is finding the trans parts at a reasonable price now. I did mine about 3 years ago and am glad I did. Those T5's are getting rare and pricey. My original speedometer cable hooked right up. The F1 flywheel is 10". From experience I didn't want to run a 9" disk on a 10" flywheel.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

Does anyone know if an electronic speedometer transmission will display digital on the dash or will it have a needle?
Or another way to ask this question is there any way to tell from the dash display if the speedo is electronic or cable?
I'm looking at used trucks on the internet and some of the sellers are not able to crawl under the truck to tell me if there are wires or cable connected to the transmission.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

The S10 with digital dash all had electronic speedos. However, I don't know if that holds true going the other way - if analog speedos all had cables between '88-90.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

As I said in my earlier post 85/89 should have a manual speedo and the later ones thru 92 have an electric. That's what I have told the customers buying my conversion kit for the last 15 years, and haven't received feedback suggesting otherwise.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

I've heard and seen both manual and electronic in '89-90, which makes me think it was a transition year. Not sure if the digital dash first came out as a trim level upgrade or not.

Re: t-5 confused which one?
 

#1352145
I believe this number going to work for me, right?