I have a G force T5 but it will be more than a year before I get to drive it.
 

I found a T45 from cobra 32v 1997 its the wrong bellhousing for the 351c (can it be changed, anyone making a for 351c). Is that a better buy ? Less mods to it ? they are asking 1200 usd for it. There where las options then I thought on the scrap yard..

Last edited by Mach173 (6/24/2020 8:20 AM)

I'm NOT a tranny guy (no.......wait a minute!! .that didn't come out right!)
I've never rebuilt a transmission so no first hand knowledge butt.........keep in mind that when the rear tires break loose the strain on the trans goes wayyy down. Keep that in mind.  Now sticky slicks and the 'Big Mickeys' on the rear of a narrowed rear end are a different story!
As hot-rod-guys we tend to go........above and beyond/over-board sometimes just because we CAN!  Tunnel rams...big snotty camshafts...dual quads... 9" rear ends...4.11:1 gears..the list goes on. If your just gonna cruise your Mach1 most of the time a T-5 (modified or not) might  do the trick!?!  Of course a top loader ... Tremac....Lenco...all sound a lot more 'macho' than a T-5 soooooo ..........
6sally6

TKOPerformance wrote:

IMO $1200 for a used trans is absurd.  I never pay more than $350 for a used T5.  The T45 is a marginal upgrade over the T5 at best.  The T5 by contrast was used for decades in dozens of makes and models, so when it comes to putting it in something it didn't come in stock it has a big advantage.  Plus you can use a stock bellhousing to bolt a T5 to a 351C.  There may be one for a T45, but its not going to be something you pick up used for $150 on eBay or Craigslist. 

You aren't going to find a "deal" on G-Force parts.  G-Force has a tight leash on their vendors, and they are basically forced to sell the parts at G-Force's price to avoid competition.  Rebuild kit wise there's some variation, but I prefer to buy the most complete kit with the best quality parts rather than the cheapest one.  I source most of my parts (G-Force included) from Bob Hanlon at Hanlon Motorsports.  Best to call them.  Either Bob or Linda will answer.  Here's a link to his site:

http://www.hanlonmotorsports.com/

Another good place is Astro, but they've been spotty of late.  The Owner has had some health issues and they are partitioning the company, with a partial buyout of part of the business.

On eBay you can sometimes find decent deals on Tremec or Borg/Warner parts for the T5 if you need hard parts like sliders, a 5th gear set, etc.  The things that won't be in the G-Force kit or the rebuild kit.  I've used plenty of aftermarket stuff for the T5 over the years, a lot of it made in India, and the quality has been fine.  OE parts are getting scarce and expensive. 

Great info thanks, I have to look around to se what is available. Whats T5 would you choose as a starting point ? world class etc.

Regards Rob

TKOPerformance wrote:

You cannot upgrade a NWC, so it must be a WC trans.

I would advise sourcing a Mustang WC T5 from a Fox body car.  Any year from '85-'93.  You could also use a '94-'95 SN95 WC T5, but the input shaft is a different length (G-Force kit will have a new input shaft so it doesn't matter).  There's also a couple minor differences in the case with the reverse fork, etc.  This also isn't an issue if you just reuse what's in the trans. 

The best way to know for sure the original application of the trans is the metal tag on the trans.  The casting numbers don't tell you anything.  The tag can be decoded here:

https://www.5speeds.com/t5/

Thanks now I have/we have a starting point :-)

almcgee wrote:

Contact Glen Buzik.  He knows what is going on with a T5 and what to do to beef it up to bullet proof.

Im in sweden so Il probably rebuild it my self. Thanks for info :-)

Mach173 wrote:

almcgee wrote:

Contact Glen Buzik.  He knows what is going on with a T5 and what to do to beef it up to bullet proof.

Im in sweden so Il probably rebuild it my self. Thanks for info :-)

I just rebuilt two of my T5’s, never had done one before was always terrified. In the end, it was the most enjoyment I’ve had in a very long time. Not hard to rebuild at all. Go for it!

I went by the book:
“How to Rebuild and Modify High-Performance Manual Transmissions”
by Paul Cangialosi

He’s also got a ton of how-to videos on YouTube

https://youtu.be/PxYwNxCzguE

Hers' the factory service manual in PDF format.  I can't believe I paid for mine like a sucker...

https://www.tremec.com/anexos/TRSM-T5-0510-R1_173.pdf

The biggest trick remains preloading the countershaft and input shaft bearings.  That tiny bit of play is enough to let things flex, and then boom!  I shoot for about 0.003" preload on the mainshaft and countergear.  A little less is fine, but you don't want much more.  0.004" may fly, but beyond that you'll start to wear out the bearings.

This is also why I prefer a countergear support plate in lieu of the stamped retainer.  Anything you can do to stop stuff moving around is going to make it more durable.  Its a $60 investment that's well worth it.

Then you really need to carefully inspect everything for chips, nicks, cracks, etc.  I junk anything that doesn't look factory fresh.  Its not worth going through all the effort of a rebuild to end up with a trans that still grinds going into a gear, pops out of a gear, etc.