Looking for suggestions on transmission selection and what I should be paying for them in good used condition. Bolting up to a mustang 5.0 in a 31 sedan.
a lot depends on your driving habits. i have no feeling in my feet and have to drive an auto. stop and go would be a bitch. there are a lot of t5 threads on here. but i would look into a top loader and gear the rear for hiway usage.
I'm looking for the best bang for my buck. I guess it goes without saying that we all want to spend as little as possible but make smart buys. What should I look to spend on a top loader or t5?
they range from 250 into high 3's. around here at least. if your 5.0 is setup and has the bellhousing ,you are money ahead. if not,you'll need the bell,clutch,pressure plate,release bearing etc.. as for cheap....aod ..but i might get flamed for that. if you go aod,you'll need shifter,kickdown cable and brackets to get it adjusted right. do a search for "aod kickdown" here. check craigslist for some early 4spd toploaders,they may have all you need if the money is right. just a few chouces that are out there.
I bought a 67 toploader off ebay. It is a small in\small out from a 390 Fairlane according to David Kee. I paid $375 and it looks to be in very good shape. No shifter with it though.
Back in the day, I loved the old all sychro three speed from the Ford pick-ups. It was a cast iron case and really bullet proof. C5AZ as I recall. Input collar is big, but easy to have turned down to fit any car Y-Block through 302 bell housing. Fenton and Hurst made shifters for it. Also, there were a lot of three speed small block trannies in early Mustangs. They were also all synchro three speeds. Top loaders I think. Pretty tough and enough gears for any light car
If the car is to be driven, and you have no transmission now, step up and buy something good. For that car I would go with a World class five speed with an S10 tail housing to get the shifter forward. My car is heavier, my motor has more torque, I bought a new 3550. Money well spent.
You can use a T-5 , , 3 speed & 4 speed top loader , C-4 & AOD . If you are just running around in town and not much hioghway use the a 3 or 4 speed will do well or a C-4 auto trans . C-4 is super strong and can do many mods to them . Now if you are going to use on the highway a good bit , then I would invest in either a T-5 or AOD because of the overdrive . I am building a 302 with a large can for my 55 Ford . I have a choice of a built up T-5 or an AOD . I haven't made my mind up yet . the reason is I have the AOD , T-5 and a 3 speed w/overdrive . It really depends if you just want to drive without shifting or like banging on the gears like the rest of us ! It's up to you ! But the T5 or AOD will both serve you very well ! RetroJim
OK, I'll step in again and hope I dont upset anyone. I see many people build a car for what they think they will use it for tomorrow. That may be OK if you dont like the car, or if you know it will be going down the road. My wife took one ride in the car back in the mid 90's, she said "honey, were keeping this one". Build the very best car you can afford, it may be with you for many years. Mine will be for sale after I'm dust. Build it with an overdrive.
If you're in Orange county Ca I'm where the 5 & 405 come together and I have a TREMEC 3650 for under 1/2 price that might fit the bill for you. It is new, was ordered for a project and didn't work out. If you're interested respond to this post.
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