can a mustang t-5 (cheaper and stronger than ours) be put in a third gen 350? is it just the tail shaft and swapping the input shaft?

 

I have been looking into the same thing, I am surprised more people don't do this, I am not a big fan of the little GM T-5.
I know now that a few companies out there make retrofit kits for the older GM cars (60's and 70's) which is what I am looking into if I do one. They already come with input shafts that adapt to GM clutch assemblies and housings are also made to bolt right up to GM bellhousings, pretty slick stuff.
As far as the tailshaft housing/torque arm situation, about the only thing I know to do is by aftermarket torque arm setup with a self contained bracket to eliminate the trans mount all together, makes clutch changes a breeze also. I went this route on my Monza (uses torque arm) with a 406/muncie 4-speed combo so I could adapt the muncie trans without worries of torque arm mounts, bracketry mounted in the trans tunnel and worked great, I have also seen some that have mounts off of the rear trans crossmember that work well.
As far as adapting a Tremec to a 3rd gen,,,,,that is the route I would go if I wanted a stick in mine, even if there are a couple obstacles to get over. Much stronger trans than the T-5, I am not a big fan of that trans at all, I have had a few of those break on me with heavy abuse. I am sure someone here will chime in that may have a Tremec in a 3rd gen. I would like to here what other obstacles they may have run into. Larry.

 

i brought this up earlier...somebody said its impossible. so....yea... maybe he'll chim in and explain why again.

 

The mustang T5 has a different bellhousing, shifter location, input shaft and a few other things. It also has the same guts as a GM T5 so I doubt it is any stronger. There are millions of GM T5's out there so you shouldn't have any problems finding one.

 

I doubt it is impossible. They now make the Tremec TKO 500 and 600 models that adapt to GM cars specifically for GM bellhousings, the shifters are able to move around in different locations up to 6 inches I believe in either direction in order to accomidate different styles of consoles etc..... They run in the $1600 range ready to go brand new.
And yes they are way stronger than a world class T-5, the T-5 is old technology, the gears inside are very small, about the same size as the wimpy cast iron saginaw. If you ever rebuild one you will see what I mean. The T-5 has not been made since the 3rd gens went out of production asside from S-10's and the like. If you are able to make a stock one live behind a stout V-8 then you are not trying hard enough in my opinion.
I would not run one behind anything I have. Yes I know many people here use them, they are a cheap alternative, and they may work fine as long as the car does not hook. Sorry if I am insulting any one here, I have just broken too many to even think about trying one, especially since there are many more other trannys out there that are stronger, there are many options, including the T-56 6 speed.
They also make many parts now to beef up the T-5 and make it stronger but the cost of the parts about equals the cost of a new Tremec TKO. I think when someone here says the Tremec from a mustang is impossible to do, they may be referring to a trans straight out of a mustang with ford bellhousing bolt patterns etc...but since they are made now for GM applications I believe it is very doable, many GM cars around here have them already.
Get on the Tremec TKO website and check them out. They offer kits with cross members, bell housings, clutch assemblies, shifters for certain consoles etc..... Although nothing they have right now is 3rd gen specific, I believe something close could be made to fit. Possibly the kit for 2nd generation F-body would get you close. If I wanted one in my 3rd gen I definately would try this route. Just my opinion though. Larry.

 

sounds very involved.....'guess i have to bite the bullet and buy a tremec 600...it's the only choice, since wct-5's are so hard to find for GMs. and even with the gm units there's no guarantee that they'll handle 400+ horses.

 

I think that would be the best in my opinion, I know it is alot of cash outlay to do it that way but you should only have to do it once and not have to worry about it anymore.
Another friend of mine just purchased a TKO 600 for a swap he is doing in a Nova, very nice kit with everything to drop it in.
I didn't do any checking so I am not sure if they offer a kit for the 3rd gens yet, so you are right, there may be some fab work to do in order to make everything work. I am sure some people have done the swap on here so I know it is possible. Best of luck and let us know how it turns out. Larry.