If you are going 'manual', easy option would be the OEM toploader, which will fit with no issues.  The T5 is a nice upgrade, and allows for some bigger rear end gears due to 5th being an overdrive.  There are other options, but these can get complex and expensive.

Bullet Bob wrote:

Walt, If you can swing it I really like the T5Z.  It drives like an old close ratio 4 spd but has a .63 OD in 5th.  It will fit in the tunnel, is plenty strong unless you...or Brenda...go crazy, and are not nearly as $pensive as some othre options.  The fun factor would be right up there with a 3.55 or 3.73 in the hiney.

Just sayin"

BB

  I agree with Bob!   I bought a T5Z from Glenn around $1100 and it works Great!  Fun to drive too.  Steve69
 

How much do you want to spend?  Ultimately you can put any maunual transmission in it with the right combination of adapters, modifications, and floorpan surgery.

The T5 offers reasonable price, and factory smooth shifting.  They can be upgraded to handle serious power too with gears from G-Force.

Tremec offers 5 speeds designed to replace the T5.  They are very tough, but shifting is notably notchy.

King of the hill is probably the T56, or one of its many iterations (Monster, etc.) which can handle stupid power, but it is a big trans, not easily fit into the tight tunnels of yesteryear.  This will be the toughest, but most expensive option. 

I wasn't looking for anything with major mods. Thought there might be something else out there that would kinda go in with minor mods like a T-5. Thought the 66 Fairlane may have a little more tunnel room. I do have aT-5 bell, I guess that's a start. I'll just keep my eye on Craig's list for now, but the 'Z' sounds like a good option.

Sal the LENCO may be a little much, even for Brenda!

wsinsle wrote:

I wasn't looking for anything with major mods. Thought there might be something else out there that would kinda go in with minor mods like a T-5. Thought the 66 Fairlane may have a little more tunnel room. I do have aT-5 bell, I guess that's a start. I'll just keep my eye on Craig's list for now, but the 'Z' sounds like a good option.

Sal the LENCO may be a little much, even for Brenda!

K!
 

The strength gain is marginal, in fact its mostly in the first gear anyway, which rarely breaks.  Typically the T5 will break 3rd gear.  The benefit is the better ratios.

A lot is touted about trans strength, this trans is weak, that one is strong, blah, blah, blah.  The truth is that what realyl  breaks transmissions is shock loading.  Its rare where you can shock load a trans enough on street tires to break it.  Traction is what you need to break it, and a light, high powered car on street rubber is not a recipe for traction. 

Also a possibility, but that's also a case of what rear you're running.  The weak link alwasy goes first.

I've seen guys break T5s in stock vehicles.  I've also seen stock T5s live in cars with stroker motors, a 250 shot of juice, yaking the front wheels on the launch, and running mid 10s.

Its by no means an exact science, but by and large a T5 like any other part will treat you as well as you treat it.