Have You Heard About The 1985 T-5 Tranny
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777 Posts
Luis,
Do you mean blocker rings? The gears are steel but you might be referring to other parts which were upgraded that year. On the other hand, if it was that much stronger, I don't understand why Ford would have gone back to the older style...
Mike
Do you mean blocker rings? The gears are steel but you might be referring to other parts which were upgraded that year. On the other hand, if it was that much stronger, I don't understand why Ford would have gone back to the older style...
Mike
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7,232 Posts
do yourself a favor and go w/ the Tremec right away. The first time you get that 400HP to actually hook up, 3rd gear in that T5 will turn to gravel. 
i don't really want to go with the tremec.... mods, expense, the feel... i like the T-5 and want to make it work if i can.
i meant bronze syncros...ooops
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my last resort will be a tremec but that would be my LAST resort.
thanks
luis lopez
i meant bronze syncros...ooops
my last resort will be a tremec but that would be my LAST resort.
thanks
luis lopez
plenty of guys are running t5's. they say if your real careful shifting, go easy on the hole shots and never power shift you can make them last...or you could go stock and beat on them with 190 ponies...or you can just plan on taking 'em out and rebuilding every year or so - I've been through two already! this winter the 3550 gets installed!
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777 Posts
Luis,
A good T5 will work if you shift it properly and don't shock it. 400 to the wheels is a lot for the stock T5. If you go with a heavy duty clutch and sticky tires, you will eventually grenade the tranny. Listen to Wade, as he's speaking from experience. Just like Jonah and Wayne and several others who tried to put that kind of power through the T5 and broke it. But all these were (to my knowledge) stock T5's. I think you can get a stronger box built, but then you're almost to the cost of a good used tremec. So to answer your exact question--no, the '85 tranny won't be stronger since the gears are what go...
Mike
[ December 10, 2002, 07:03 PM: Message edited by: MikeBraddock ]
A good T5 will work if you shift it properly and don't shock it. 400 to the wheels is a lot for the stock T5. If you go with a heavy duty clutch and sticky tires, you will eventually grenade the tranny. Listen to Wade, as he's speaking from experience. Just like Jonah and Wayne and several others who tried to put that kind of power through the T5 and broke it. But all these were (to my knowledge) stock T5's. I think you can get a stronger box built, but then you're almost to the cost of a good used tremec. So to answer your exact question--no, the '85 tranny won't be stronger since the gears are what go...
Mike
[ December 10, 2002, 07:03 PM: Message edited by: MikeBraddock ]
Luis, according to D&D performance out of Mustangs and Fast Fords mag, the T-5 was made stronger after '89. There is a retro kit which I put into my '89 and so far so good, but I don't beat on it too much either. The kit consisted of 2nd and 3rd gear and a new 1st ratio. Evidently the older trannies were coming apart in 2nd and 3rd. Something about the metal used for the gears.Call them and they'll explain. Not too difficult to rebuild either. Good luck on your build, Bob
Luis,
Check out D&D site for more information:
http://www.ddperformance.com/index2.htm
From the Q and A section:
Q. What are the main differences of the world class transmission's ?
A. 1985-1989 are the weaker models of world class, in 1990 Borg Warner upgraded the 2nd & 3rd and cluster. The result was a tourque rating increase from 265 ft. lbs to 300 ft. lbs.
Check out D&D site for more information:
http://www.ddperformance.com/index2.htm
From the Q and A section:
Q. What are the main differences of the world class transmission's ?
A. 1985-1989 are the weaker models of world class, in 1990 Borg Warner upgraded the 2nd & 3rd and cluster. The result was a tourque rating increase from 265 ft. lbs to 300 ft. lbs.
This is kinda funny. I just finished replacing the 2nd gear, 3rd gear, and countershaft in my 1985 T-5. 1985 was supposed to be the first year of the World class T-5, but I think there may be some 85's that aren't. Mine has held up well over the years as I am pretty rough on it, but I am only maiking about 250-280 horses at the flywheel. The odd thing was that I wasn't racing or even pushing it hard. It just made a loud bang and then a constant crunching sound in third.
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Rebuilding a T-5 is easy too. I got my parts from Medatronics (?) at 5speeds.com. They sell only Tremec manufactured parts and have the best prices. The rebuild manual is available in pdf on the net. Or you can buy one for about $20.
Hope some of this helps.
It just made a loud bang and then a constant crunching sound in third.
Hope some of this helps.
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32 Posts
Here's a link to Modern Drivelines "tech" page, listing the various T-5s. Informative chart to have.
http://www.moderndriveline.com/Technical_Bits/transmission_spec.htm
http://www.moderndriveline.com/Technical_Bits/transmission_spec.htm
Here's a link to the T-5 manual on-line in PDF format. http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English/onlineorder/product.asp
Dave T.
Dave T.
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1,975 Posts
Been there, grenaded it (only 20 miles), TKO now.
Frank n Sons.
Frank n Sons.
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7,097 Posts
Gee Wade, How would you know that? Sorry couldn't resist!Originally posted by Wade Chamberlain:
do yourself a favor and go w/ the Tremec right away. The first time you get that 400HP to actually hook up, 3rd gear in that T5 will turn to gravel.
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