Used T-5 Trans - What to look for?

[Tiggie]

Going to look at a used T-5 (T5) and some pedals from a 1995 V6 Stang. Car it came out of had blown head gasket.

Anything in particular to check when looking at it? It's cheap enough to warrant a rebuild if needed. But I would like to check it out as much as possible before purchasing. Is there an easy way to inspect inside, or at least take a peek?

I am aware I'll need to swap input shafts to a fox style to use a fox bellhousing for a more favorable shifter location in a box. I think. Or this trans may end up in my 68. Not sure.g

From what I understand, this one should still have the mechanical speedo provision, and a 0.73 overdrive. With the 3.35 first gear, 3.27 in the rear would be roughly equivalent to 3.55 in both first and fifth. Which saves me from a rear axle ratio change.

[DerekTheGreat]

From what I've heard all T-5's have a weak third gear. EricTheCarGuy has a video on a T-5 rebuild from an '85 mustang so I'll link that...

[Giraffe]

There is differing information out there on the T-5 variants available. This All Ford Mustangs link says that the '94-'97 V-6 T-5 came with a .73 overdrive while this one from Modern Driveline says it came with a .68 which will require machining to accept a speedometer gear.

At least it's not a Fox 4-cylinder transmission. Those are much weaker and have much shorter gears than their V-8 counterparts. They also have a larger input shaft bearing which makes it impossible to use the upgraded steel retainer.

[knucklehead0202]

You can always rebuild it with the good gearset and even swap to the "Z" type 2.95 1st gear. Always hated the 3.35 1st anyhow, almost a useless gear. T5's are cheap as chips these days, I wouldn't even fuck with a v6 one honestly. Save a little cash and pick up a used GeForce or astro to avoid headache and heartache. You'll have a strong trans that's way smoother than a tremec.

[gadget73]

I want to say there is something with the SN95 ones where the shifter is further back vs the Fox ones.

[Tiggie]

I've been looking for one for a year or so now and the fox V8 ones around here are $300 total IDK condition to $500 "rebuilt." I don't know about you guys, but I'd much rather rebuild it myself and know it's done right than have someone else's idea of rebuilt be less than mine and me in the hole for a $500 core.

I watched about 12 minutes of the video so far. Will continue. Doesn't look like any easy way to look inside without a benchtop tear down.

As far as the ratios go, I guess it's a wild guess on the OD. I'll know if I open it up and count teeth, if or when that happens.

I have one in my 94 and the 3.35 first doesn't bother me really. I usually take off in second anyway even with 3.08 gears unless it's uphill. I'm not a picky except I like I row my own gears. I'm also more like a grandpa driver so I think the slightly weaker V6 will be fine for me. And like you said, I can always do a gear swap if needed. My 94 had the speedo gear provision and it uses it, even with an electric speedometer (like later boxes - it's only used for speed sensor).

Got an appointment Sunday. He's got an HO top end also. Hmmm.

[knucklehead0202]

Make a package deal of it! Put a good shifter with stops and power-shift it anyway! I can't drive a stick without wanting to really jam some gears. My next box may get a stick but it'll probably also be a coyote swap. Don't like the idea of a 6-speed though. Rather 5. 5 is a good number.

[Tiggie]

Well got a trans and pedals. Didn't get heads. Figured e7's weren't worth a possible rebuild. Dude had 40p's for $100 but passed on them too. Will wait for 40's or go aluminum. (Don't like the plug angle of the p's just in case they end up on the 68.).
Problem 1: gear oil is inside.
Problem 2: input shaft a bit loose.
$80 for a core and pedals... I call that an okay deal.
Gonna investigate a bit more later but for now we're calling it a core.
I am feeling much better about the 1-2 slip in the 88 now. [emoji846]


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[87gtVIC]

Bellhousing? Guessing the v6 engine uses one that would be of no use to you...

[Tiggie]

Yup gotta get a fox bellhousing unless I want the shifter popping out right at the front seat.

It spilled some gear lube in the back of my ranger. Rrrr. I put my groceries back there. But wasn't about to take the gas beast 74 on a 100 interstate mile trip.

[Brown_Muscle]

$80 is a steal either way. These are all things I ended up doing with my T5, and it turned out well, but it was functional when i removed it to do the work:

Did you take the top cover off and inspect the synchros and gears? The shifter forks have plastic inserts, I would replace them, they crack and can make it shifting not as firm and eventually cause wear if they are missing. Front input shaft should have a slight amount of play, there's a spec for it, if it's out of spec you can change the shim to tighten it up. I'd also replace the tailshaft bushing if it has any wear at all (if it's used it probably does), along with the seal.

The fact that it has gear oil inside is not a good sign, someone didn't know what they were doing

[gadget73]

so its the bellhouse that differs, not the actual trans? I've been told that the SN95 one actually works well in a Mark VII, it apparently puts the shifter in the stock location and it makes the driveshaft work.

[pantera77]

t5's are junk, 8.8's are even more junk.

[Tiggie]

$80 is a steal either way. These are all things I ended up doing with my T5, and it turned out well, but it was functional when i removed it to do the work:

Did you take the top cover off and inspect the synchros and gears? The shifter forks have plastic inserts, I would replace them, they crack and can make it shifting not as firm and eventually cause wear if they are missing. Front input shaft should have a slight amount of play, there's a spec for it, if it's out of spec you can change the shim to tighten it up. I'd also replace the tailshaft bushing if it has any wear at all (if it's used it probably does), along with the seal.

The fact that it has gear oil inside is not a good sign, someone didn't know what they were doing

Thanks for the info, Phil. I plan to dig into it a bit tonight to look inside. I googled on the input shaft and found some info on that, so possibly it's not as bad as I thought. I do bet that gear oil didn't do the guts any favors.

so its the bellhouse that differs, not the actual trans? I've been told that the SN95 one actually works well in a Mark VII, it apparently puts the shifter in the stock location and it makes the driveshaft work.

I *think* it's the bellhousing and input shaft a bit longer on the SN95. That's what I've read but we know how accurate google can be. I did verify with the service manual that this one should have the .73 OD. Also a 1.93 2nd vs a 1.99 for the V8. So we'll have a little gap between 1 and 2...

t5's are junk, 8.8's are even more junk.

I like trash. It's cheap! As long as it's functional trash.