Author Topic: Which transmission would you choose? (Read 1504 times)

Fast68back · « **on:** August, 06, 2008, 10:45:44 AM »

I need to make a decision soon.....

daveSanborn · « **Reply #1 on:** August, 06, 2008, 10:58:20 AM »

Why have you eliminated the TKO500/600 from consideration?

Fast68back · « **Reply #2 on:** August, 06, 2008, 10:59:47 AM »

Wouldnt I have to modify the tunnel to fit it in there?

daveSanborn · « **Reply #3 on:** August, 06, 2008, 11:32:42 AM »

We used a TKO600 on my sons '68FB w/o any tunnel mods. We had to trim maybe .25" off the forward right corner of the shifter opening to create a little breathing room for the mini-tower shifters rubber boot.

The T5Z is probably more economical unless you're using a BB motor, then I think you'd want to step up to something capable of handling more TQ.

Dave

napaguy · « **Reply #4 on:** August, 06, 2008, 01:13:41 PM »

Doesnt the 3550/3650 tremac require cutting the tunnel?

Fast68back · « **Reply #5 on:** August, 06, 2008, 01:17:26 PM »

I want to say they are ok in '67 and up cars but not 65/66. But I could be wrong, Im due..

cmayna · « **Reply #6 on:** August, 06, 2008, 01:55:00 PM »

Rick,
What engine are you installing ?

Midlife · « **Reply #7 on:** August, 06, 2008, 03:04:14 PM »

A Ford wide-ratio toploader. Hard to beat for reliability and sheer strength.

You didn't say what you wanted your tranny to do...

Fast68back · « **Reply #8 on:** August, 06, 2008, 03:35:52 PM »

Quote from: cmayna on August, 06, 2008, 01:55:00 PM

Rick,
What engine are you installing ?

347

Dis juan

Waffles · « **Reply #9 on:** August, 06, 2008, 04:55:04 PM »

FINALLY.

i have searched far and wide for a engine pic with those valve covers installed because i want them for my car and didnt know if i should leave the block blue or paint it black. can you post some more pics please?

Fast68back · « **Reply #10 on:** August, 06, 2008, 05:05:12 PM »

Its the onle pic I have of mine, but I can take more. I think I'm going to take the aircleaner to a powdercoater and see if they can match the valve covers, either that or swap it for a K&N lid.

These are the pics that inspired my choice.

Starfury · « **Reply #11 on:** August, 06, 2008, 06:04:45 PM »

Even a halfway-decent 347 build is likely to start breaking things in even a T5z, which still has a torque rating of 330ft-lbs. I don't feel comfortable putting one behind my 331. If you want a T5, I'd recommend looking at a G-Force or Texas Motorsports unit.

napaguy · « **Reply #12 on:** August, 06, 2008, 06:05:49 PM »

Isnt there an outfit than claims they can build a t5 to be as strong as a top loader?

Starfury · « **Reply #13 on:** August, 06, 2008, 06:18:06 PM »

G-Force units have "unlimited" power ratings, although I probably still wouldn't put one behind a healthy big block. Ford Racing offers a couple 5sp performance transmissions as well with high power ratings.

68EFIvert · « **Reply #14 on:** August, 07, 2008, 07:03:16 AM »

I am currently running a non-wc t5 behind my blown small block that has just over 400 rwhp and 414 rwtq. I am saving my money for the eventual kaboom. I have narrowed my options down to the GForce t5 or the TKO600. The main reason I would go with the GForce tranny is I woundn't have to get a new bracket for my JMC clutch or a new crossmember. I have heard that the Gforce trannies are a bit nosier than the TKO600's. I have also heard of shifting problems with TKO's while under heavy loads. The both will require a new clutch because of the input shaft and both require a new yoke. I likely will go with the GForce unit. The swap for me would be as simple as changing the clutch.

Bruce over at Modern Driveline advised me that I didn't need anything more than a T5Z. He said I will have traction problems (which I surely do ;D) and I won't be taking it to the strip. Heck my tranny out of the 88 donor mustang seems to be doing fine. Granted I have only driven it 50 miles and really not that hard.

Nick.simonds · « **Reply #15 on:** August, 07, 2008, 01:05:43 PM »

Throw on the Z and upgrade gears later.

Just dont go romping on it. ~flam

Urban_Cowboy · « **Reply #16 on:** August, 08, 2008, 07:03:38 AM »

I have a wide ratio 4 speed toploader behind my 383 stroker running mid to upper 400s in horsepower and torque. The tranny is doing great, but the clutch is getting smoked. I just ordered a Street/Strip Hays clutch and pressure plate to try and hold it. When I try to do 3500-4000 rpm launches, it totally burns up; however, the tranny shifts great all the way up to 7000rpm.

68EFIvert · « **Reply #17 on:** August, 16, 2008, 05:53:40 AM »

It is odd that this topic has come up now. It looks like I may have a leaky rear main seal and figure that I might as well do the tranny upgrade now so that I don't have to redo everything in a couple months. I have narrowed my choice down to 2 trannys that are versions of the T5. I am going to either use a GForce T5 or and Astro Performance A5. It seems like the astro A5 has a slight advantage but will cost me about $250 more. Does anyone have any experience with these transmissions? Know a place to get a good deal on one.

The only place I know to get the Astro tranny is http://www.astroperformance.com/ and would cost about $2,650 with a Hays clutch. I would buy the G-Force from CJ Pony Parts and join the herd membership. I could save 15% by purchasing it through them on a Friday internet order and would run just over $2,400 with a Fidanza clutch.

Thanks for the help.

Fast68back · « **Reply #18 on:** August, 16, 2008, 06:47:09 PM »

I think both those transmissions are custom builds and only available at the manufacturer. A good place to look is KKPONY.com, he bought a G-force to put behind his MONSTER stroker and ended up selling it and going with a T5z........

Starfury · « **Reply #19 on:** August, 16, 2008, 07:14:05 PM »

I don't see any mention on his page about replacing it with a T5z. It looks like he was running a racing straight-cut gear/dog ring G-Force T5 and replaced it with a helical gear/syncro G-Force T5 from Modern Driveline. His engine is ridiculous; it would absolutely destroy a T5z, which is still only rated at 330ft-lbs.

garner67 · « **Reply #20 on:** August, 30, 2008, 10:01:55 AM »

I purchased a G-Force T5 from Modern Driveline, and I had problems with 5th gear syncros going out within the first few hundred miles.

I sent it back a few weeks ago, and Bruce found the problem. He had to do some extra machining to make the G-Force gear set fit correctly. The 5th gear drive shaft diameter was a bit too large, which caused the seals & syncros to go out only after a few hundred miles. Bruce found that all the G-Force gear sets he has in his shop have this same problem. This tells me that G-Force quality control is not what it should be.

Bruce is finishing up the fixes, and the trans will be shipped back to me next week. Unfortunately, since my car won't be out of the paint shop until late Sept and I won't have the engine & trans back in the car until November'ish, it's going to be a while before I get to test it out.

With all this said, Modern Driveline has been a great vendor, and while G-Force won't guarantee their gear sets, Bruce has stood behind his work to address my problems. I have a feeling that Modern Driveline won't be selling/installing G-Force gear sets much more (or at all), because I'm sure it's cost him time and money to fix these issues.

68EFIvert · « **Reply #21 on:** August, 30, 2008, 02:00:37 PM »

I ended up going with a T56. It should be here in the next week and will do the install in the next month or so. I spoke with Bruce and he said he is not going to do anything with G Force trannies any more. It looks like your problem was not an isolated incident.

News:

Links

Random Image from the Gallery

Latest Victims

Author Topic: Which transmission would you choose? (Read 1504 times)

Nick.simonds

Urban_Cowboy

StangFix Approved Vendors