So I got to thinking... I'm getting ready to install new carpet and insulation into my 89 IROC here in the next week or so. But before I do all that and since I'll have the seats and console out anyway I might as well go ahead and do my T-5 swap. I've got everything I need, well except for the buffer box for the Speedo but I'm not really worried about that quite yet. ( The transmission came out of a 92 RS with the 305 ) Will my computer flip out and cause issues without the TH700R4 in there? Will I have idling issues or starting issues?

I'll be taking the car on a road trip to Charleston, SC the weekend after Thanksgiving so I just need to know what I may run into with the swap. I'm going to have a chip burned for it eventually but not until I get my forged 355 built.

So if anyone who has done this swap in a L-98 TPI car could let me know how their car ran afterwards I'd greatly appreciate the information. Just don't want any major surprises!

 

The major surprise will be when it goes kablooey

 

 

You people freakin kill me with these comments. If you know how to drive a manual this transmission will live just fine. My car is NOT a drag car and will never have slicks on the back so I'm not too worried about blowing the transmission up. And another thing, the fox mustang guys run a ton of power through their's with no issues and they hold up just fine so what makes you people think the F-car T-5's are so weak?

Learn how to drive correctly then you won't have any issues.

 

And I was referring to issues in regards to the engine and computer, not the with transmission. The trans works just fine.


Thanks

 

3" stroke engines, the rear suspension of the Fox platform and a lighter weight make that T5 argument less and less of an apples to apples comparison. FWIW, I agree you'll be fine for a while.

You have park/neutral switch and reverse lights wiring changes to make, speedo gear & sleeve w/ retainer to install in place of the VSS, the steering column is different, the PROM is different. And keep those TCC wirings away from the exhaust.

 

Yeah I can see those making a small difference but still, I've had some friends with some BUILT 302's that would run 11's all day at the track on the stock T-5's....

My car isn't a drag car though, otherwise I would reconsider.

Ok so I'm tracking the park/neutral switch.. that'll be easy... on the VSS.. can't I just leave that unplugged until I get a box to convert from VSS to cable driven? It's just a plug right? And with the steering column, just put that rod in the park position then remove the gear selector right?

And with the Prom, will the car run like **** or will it run ok for a while? I'm sure I'll have a SES light but I can live with it for a short while until I get my 355 built


Thanks again for the help... other than those few questions I'm tracking

 

Or like you said and find a sleeve with the proper gear so I can just plug my speedo cable into it like factory. Btw, how hard are those parts to find? Converting from VSS to mechanical speedo?

 

I ran mine with the stock tune for a while and it ran fine. Sometimes when coming to a stop, it would take a little while for the idle to drop, but outside of that, everything seemed ok.

 

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks for the help man!

 

All of what he said, and 300lbs ft (Ford 5.0) vs 345lbs ft (L98). So right from the start you've got 13% more torque, and torque is what kills T5s. That increased torque is in a heavier car, with stickier/wider tires, a better suspension, etc... And truth told the Mustang guys are forever killing transmissions. Spend a little time on the Mustang forums and you'll see people using 2.3L T5s on V8s because that's all they can find, and T5Z spec transmissions are REALLY common too. It's not like they're all merrily strolling around with indestructible T5s.

Go ahead and do the swap, by all means, but consider there are some clear reasons why the T5 wasn't offered behind the L98.

Do a search on the VSS swap, if I remember correctly the TH-350 speedometer adapter fits the T5. Do a search, you'll even find the link to the vendor that sells the parts.

 

Changing the vss out for speedo gear / sleeve takes so little effort and time, it's not really worth the engine stalling and the subtle drivability issues to run an auto prom and no speedo.

If you can't find them, you aren't trying and you're not searching thirdgen enouch

 

Ok, jeez... I've searched a little but don't have the time to sit here and read through every single post to find a little information. I do have a life and career. For those who have helped, thank you.

And another thing... this T-5 is just like an 700R4 or even a T-56.. with abuse of course it will fail. I've killed a Tremec T-56 in my 01 SS but running slicks out back and hard launches.... this car isn't a drag car though. I'm just tired of people saying oh its too weak and making excuses. If you try hard enough even a LT1 T-56 will blow to pieces. And I've been around quite a few fox mustangs... they have the same issues the LS1 6-speeds have when you start beating the crap out of them. Anyway, I'll have plenty of miles of trouble free shifting so I don't need to argue this point any more. If your scared to run this transmission then thats your own issue.

I'll figure the rest out on my own and I'll do others a favor and post a step by step guide with pics on the trans swap, insulation and carpet install. ( The main reason I can't sit here and search through everything is because I'm in Afghanistan and we only get 30 minutes of internet at a time in the MWR. Just wanting to know exactly what I need to order so its there when I get home in a week. Thanks again to those who have helped. Much appreciated! )


Mike

 

I'm not going to hold your hand and spoon feed you an answer when it's so easy to find. It's one of those "teach a man to fish" kind of things... I also have a life, and other things to do... I will give you a hint though... There's a very relevant sticky topic at the top of this very forum. Generally the stickies should be read before asking any questions. There's also a link right near the top of the topic list that says "search this forum". Type "T5 speedometer" and scroll through the results, you'll find multiple links to the parts you need in the first page of results. It's easy to find, and faster then posting a message and waiting for someone to come along and answer it.

Is anyone making excuses why it won't work? Or are we making a concerted effort to inform you why people have trouble doing what you want to do? Would you rather no one ever pointed out the most likely outcome of the path you're headed down? "Learn how to drive correctly then you won't have any issues." sounds a lot more like an excuse to me. If putting a transmission rated for 300ft lbs behind an engine that generates 345ft lbs, and arguing that it works for the other guys, isn't an excuse... I don't know what is.

If you were to look around a bit, you'd probably see there are already step by step guides with pics for swapping transmissions. It's not exactly unexplored territory. If you want to add another go ahead, but it's redundant. (Ex. https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tran...y-t5-swap.html & https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tran...y-t5-swap.html)

I'm sorry for wasting your time, but understand I could spend every minute of every day on here answering questions. I prefer to attempt to help people use the site, so they can find the answers that have already been provided. I'm really not busting your ***** here, it's for your own good. Many of the most knowledgeable members on this forum, aren't going to answer the same question more then a few times.

 

Yeah ok, thanks I guess. Your long post was quite humerous. I found what I was looking for, elsewhere. Someone can delete this thread seeing how a simple point me in the right direction question turned into an inmature response from other members.

I'll stick with LS1tech.com from now on. Thanks again

 

You were pointed in the right direction, you've just got an attitude problem. You think you're entitled to a response. Don't go away mad...

 

you may not agree with drews response or like what it said...but its 100% accurate. go ahead and stay on the ls1 board, but if you need good 3rd gen information this is the site. take it or leave it.

this and all t-5 swaps are on this board with very detailed instructions as well as why they do or dont work well.

you dont have time to read through stuff i dont have time to spoon feed you either..instead of crying about how no one answered your question you couldve found it just as easy.

judging by his 12,000 posts....he must be pretty helpful.