Does anyone here have a WCT5 trans for sail that is in good shape? I have a NWC now, and need to save some dollars on this build up. I've got an '84 Z with only 113,000 miles on it, but a lousy engine, and the seriously weak NWC T5. Before the engine went down, the current trans wouldn't shift without "snicking" a gear when you shifted on a hard acceleration run. I know the WC isn't drag racing stuff, but it is better than what I've got! I'm putting in a pretty stout 383, and will eventually go for more trans, but can only go slow on the pocket.

Thanks, Mike

 

You do know the difference between a NWC and a world class is 20 foot pounds right? Everyone on here makes such a big deal over them but in reality they are both about equally weak. There are plenty of owners on here that have had t5s survive behind very healthy modded motors but they did not power shift or dump clutches from a dead stop. Those two things are usually what seal the fate of t5s.

By "snicking" gears are u saying crunching them or not really shifting them smoothly? In other words it feels like stuff isnt lined up and its grinding a bit? If so i wonder if your clutch is adjusted correctly? Air in your hydraulics? More shifting problems end up being clutch related and not trans related. Id look to your clutch before assuming your t5 is spent.

 

So, It's your feeling that the T5 can live? Also, you may be right on the clutch. It does thoroughly disengage when stopped, but I have to put it close to the floor. And the "snick" is really a bit more like it catches a tooth as it goes into gear. Also, it resists going into fifth more than the first 3 (into 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.) Is there anything that can be done to toughen up the T5?

 

Just depends on how much you want to spend. The big weakness of the the t5 is the case flexing and causing the gears to not mesh correctly. Do a search for Gforce on here.

As for it living behind your motor..i think it would if you drove it nice and didnt powershift it or clutch dump it. I have a buddy who drives his hard but doesnt do those two things and its held up behind a high compression 355.

If its not disengaging until its touching the floor...id check your clutch and see if it needs to be bled. Sounds like it should be disengaging a bit sooner than that. Mine disengages pretty close to the floor too but im pretty sure i can get it in gear without it touching the floor.....i would have to double check that one.

 

Thanks for your input......Unfortunately, my trans is a 84 NWC T5, and apparently, the Gforce stuff is for 88-91. I must say that for the money, I could get a Richmond, or TKO, though. Or, do the gears for the WC fit into the NWC case?

 

Nah you would be stuck having to "upgrade" to a WC T5. I just gave you that link to show you how much it would cost to upgrade the T5. For the price you would pay your better off with a TKO or a t56. Both are good in their own ways.

 

one last question....can you make a ford T5 work on a SBC......do the shifter locations line up?

 

never mind on that last question! I checked out the FAQs. Should have gone there first!