1984 SVO how to swap in my T-5 with king cobra clutch from my old 1986 GT?

84SVOrick · 07-20-2008

Hello,
This is my first posting along with me being a new memeber to this forum and a first time SVO owner. I have had 4 5.0's in the bast 9 years and have been having bad luck (Johnny laws on my ass). So I decided to get into this small project vehicle (1984 svo). I have just totaled my 1986 mustang GT about 1 month ago and had pretty much redone the entire vehicle. I rebuilt the Engine along with adding some tastefull bolt ons. New T-5 tranny (dont want to waste my money thats why I want to swap). Also I have a rebuilt rearend with 3:55's and dont want that to go to waste either.

Im also wanting to do a major tune up to the vehicle. I know the basics of cap rotor plugs plug wires, ect.....my question is what is a good proformance brand to get.... i personally have no idea being this is my first venture into the 4banger/ turbo scene. Please help me out, I want this to be a good first experaince.

Slumlord · 07-20-2008

You do realize your SVO tastefully built will be just as fast as a 5.0 right? Johnny law will still have fun with you.

Your SVO should already have 355's and a T5 in it. the gearing should be perfect the way it is. As for plugs and wires, oddly enough, the ford motorsports brand honestly seem the best and most people will recommend them. If you want to upgrade your distributer, an MSD would not be a bad idea.

84SVOrick · 07-21-2008

in that case will my new king cobra clutch fit with out any modifacations from my old T-5?? the only reason i want to swap is because its new and so is the rear end. I dont know the previous owner and their driving habits, but along with that dont want to let em go to waste. how accesable are the parts from ford??

NavySVO · 07-21-2008

Don't waste your time at the dealership for the tune-up parts.

Go to www.forced4.com for the best prices and service. Make sure you check the dist rotor before ordering, as there are 2 different types.

As for the 5.0 T5, it win't work. The input shaft is a different diameter then the 2.3L T5.

84SVOrick · 07-21-2008

The guy that I bought it from said that I could swap out the input shafts so that it would line up. Does he sound like he knows what he is talkin about or was he sellin me sum bullsh!t? plus I have a new king cobra clutch...will it fit in the svo T-5?

NavySVO · 07-22-2008

The input shafts CAN be swapped. When doing that, ensure you check the end play and shim accordingly. I would also recommend installing a steel bearing retainer while you are there. It's cheap and effective.
As for the clutch, I can't answer that.

b_chandler · 07-23-2008

V8 T5's are stabbed in behind 2.3's all the time. All you need is the pilot bushing that has the O.D of the 2.3 crank and the I.D. of the V8 T5 input shaft. You can get the bushing from Hanlon, a company that knows a heck of a lot more about Borg-Warner transmissions than we do.

The input shafts can't be swapped. The gear set is different between the V8 and 4 cyl. spec transmissions therefore the tooth count on the input shaft is different.

The clutch won't work. It's bigger than any clutch that was made for the 2.3 flywheel. There's a way to make it work, but $300+ dollars for a plate to make a clutch work just because it's new isn't a smart way to spend your money.

84SVOrick · 07-23-2008

really good point, I have ordered a ram clutch for the stock t-5 svo tranny. I have also ordered the motorcraft tune up kit and i will keep you posted. oh yeah i have a question, do these things run hot like the 5.0's. mine runs roughly in the middle, but should it be colder?? Its just awkward for me with this damn 4 banger. one thing i will say though is that when i pull up next to a gt and they start laughin at my banger i have the tendency to race and win, then they look at me all funny. lol

91droptopturbo · 07-23-2008

Actually its pretty easy...with the right parts.

Stinger Performance sells a bellhousing adapter to mount a 5.0L V8 transmission to the 2.3L block.

It also requires a 5.0L flywheel redrilled for the 2.3L crank bolt pattern. Stinger also seels a alumium flywheel for that application.

That would allow you to run your T5 tranny and 5.0L clutch parts but you would have to use the aluminum flywheel.