t-5 third gear issues

The T-45 is not a very good trans I wouldnt waste my time swapping or the 3650. Just buy a rebuilt T-5 and put it in. Or if I was in your position I would look into buying a G-force built T-5 and swap it right in there. Normally they will take your trans from you. You pay like 900 bucks and they had you a built G-force T-5

cnmcalpi said:

Installed edelbrock intake, 3rd gear went boom. Click,pop,bang. I was considering rebuilding it with the FRPP rebuild kit. Im pretty sure I am going to need 3rd gear and probably some syncro or shift fork work since it likes to kick out my second gear downshifts. I understand that the 86-93 2.3l stang should have a 240 ft/lb wc t-5 that uses a larger pilot bearing. I went to one of those you pull it type junkyards looking for a cheap solution. I actually found a 86 2.3l that had a manual in it. Sure as hell didnt look like a t-5 but I pulled it out anyways in order to check it out. When I got it out the input shaft had waaaayyy too many splines on it so I know the sucker wouldnt fit. What transmission was this?
A few questions.

Does anyone have a t-5 laying around I can buy?
How much is a used TKO and how much tougher is it?
If I go TKO will I have to buy bellhousing, crossmember, new clutch etc..... I have a king cobra waiting to go in the t-5.... not buyin another one.
:scratchchin

Click to expand...

Not sure what trans came in that 2.3 stang but I suspect it is a T5. The GM version T5 is the only one I know of that had 26 splines on the input shaft as opposed to the Ford 10 spline. The 26 spline is stronger than the 10 so if the input shaft length is the same as your original one, I would go with that. Obviously you'll need a 26 spline disc. Be sure to check the diameter of the input as going with a larger pilot may not fit your crank.
Have you drained the fluid yet in the one that crapped out? Check for chunks of gear in the fluid. I suspect you destroyed the syncros and blockers. With that being said, a rebuild kit is fairly cheap and probably the cheapest way to go.
TKO is definitely stronger, not sure about used ones though as far as pricing goes. We sell them here and the TKO-500 goes for $1895 and the 600 is $1975. Your rear gear ratio is what is needed to determine which would be better suited for you. If your running highway gears, 2.73's, 3.08, 3.27 or 3.55, then the TKO-500 is the better choice. If your running a lower gear like 3.73's, 3.90, 4.11's etc... then the TKO-600 is the better choice. Horsepower wise, your not likely to break either one. The 500 is rated for constant 500hp, 500ft/lbs and the 600 is rated constant 600hp, 600ft/lbs. Peak power capability is somewhere north of 900-1000.
AS for dropping one in a Fox body, you'll need a '936 style bell and fork assembly, cross member and different yoke. You can get them in either standard 10 spline input or the upgraded and stronger 26 spline.
The T45 and the Tr-3650 is not an option unless you want to swap the 5.0 for a 4.6 modular motor. The T45 and 3650 do not have the same bolt pattern to mate up to a 5.0.

We sell these all day and install them in classic muscle cars. Let me know if you have any more questions.:bigthumbsup


Richard
Tech Support
Keisler Engineering
Tremec TKO Transmission Systems