Quote:
Originally Posted by fried okra
Are there any thoughts on whether the five speed T-5 transmission or the four speed Tremec/Ford T170 RTS as used in the mid eighties F-150 trucks is preferable?
Are there pros and cons to either transmission for use in a Model A?
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BOTH of these transmissions offer synchronized shifting, and both offer an internal OD that supposedly gets the revs down in a Model A so that you can STILL go RELATIVELY slowly (45-60-ish mph), albeit at a slower engine speed. But don't forget, whichever trans you decide on, the engine is going to have to "work" a little harder (at that reduced rpm), as the OD ends-up being a higher overall gear, even though the revs may be reduced. MOST guys won't even drive their Model As at 60 mph. So, the real advantage I see with BOTH transmissions is the smooth, synchronized shifting, as well as being quieter because of the helical-cut gears. But there's real advantage from the T5 in that you have an additional gear there to keep the revs more-within that happy power band. In other words, there is less of an RPM drop between gears, and it'll make that little 'A-bone' engine come alive, and even more of a blast to drive with the extra gear.
Below, you will see a picture of an interesting T5 that
Heard (also here on the 'Barn) and I assembled for his '36 3-window coupe. We assembled it completely from factory Borg-Warner (Tremec) parts. The main case and gear set is the 2.95 to 1 close ratio gears from a V8 Camaro, with the short main shaft and VERY SHORT rear tail shaft housing coming from a 4 X 4 Jeep CJ application....AGAIN, all factory T5 parts, BOLT-TOGETHER....No machine work! THIS trans is even four+ inches shorter than the Chevy S-10
4 X 4 version that you read about some guys converting to. Then, as you can see, we adapted it to a Ford torque tube/drive shaft, which is virtually identical to a Model A set-up. If interested, you can read our entire build at the link below. The bottom picture shows where the shifter would end-up with this T5, as well as any T5 with a Chevy S-10 two wheel drive tail shaft housing/shifter. T5s are extremely versatile and can be assembled in a multitude of variations. DD
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...T5+TORQUE+TUBE
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