my new 383 was just finished being built. it should have around 400 hp and 450 lb/ft of tq. i have heard that these transmissions will not stand up against that much hp. will just one gear go at a time or all at once? what about the rearends? what should be done to strengthen the rear?

 

the t5 is rated for under 300ft/lbs. 3rd gear is where they usually break, though other gears may go out before that. It will work and live a decent life if you use the clutch to shift, no powershifting, dont use slicks and dont clutch dump the car.

as for the rear, its hit or miss. some people break them with a stock motor and other have put down pretty good numbers with one. If its an open rear it will last the longest, less traction/longer life. there is really no way to strengthen it, the ring and pinion are too small and they are are the weak point. You can use aftermarket axles, posi units, gears, ect to try and beef it up a bit, but the ring and pinion will still be the weak point. Once again if you drive it conservatively it will be fine, if you beat on it, it will eventually blow up.

Save your pennies for a 12bolt or 9" rear.

 

i agree with 86 but it also depends what t5 you have the world class t5 (89-92) can hold a little more power

 

i have the stock 83 transmission... is it an indication that its ready to go if it is already whining? how much are those rears? are you talking ford 9 inch, or are they direct bolt in?

 

you can get direct bolt in 12bolts and ford9" rears from moser engineering, or through Spohn performance and other vendors. Strange engineering also make a 12bolt and a dana60.

They start at 1900 and go upwards of 2750 depending on setup, not cheap by anymeans but they hold the power.

if the trans is wining, its on its way out.

 

hmm, that sucks, i guess i will have to take it easy for a while, even though thats way easier said than done. are the lower priced ones limited slip. how do you like that tko 600? that is probably what i would go with if i had to replace my tranny.

 

the cheapest one would be with a spool, not good for the street, the posi ones go for more.

So far i really like the TKO, its a very positive shifting trans, no guessing if your in gear or not, and its quite stout. Again they are not cheap either.

 

is a spool locked all the time? how much more is posi?