[coopscoop]

First time poster. Thank you for any help you can provide.

I finally have my drivetrain in the car and think I have an issue with fitment of the transmission.

I have a complete Type 65 kit using a donor driveline - 331 stroker, T5, 8.8 rear end. All came from a running and driving 91 fox body.

The motor and tranny are mocked in place with all bolts fitting. The driveshaft supplied (#60454) fits properly into the transmission and will have proper clearance to the rear yoke. The two issues are:

1. The transmission mount plate only lines up with the tranny mount holes in the forward orientation, what the manual shows as the orientation for a Coyote with TKO. Probably not a big deal?

2. The bigger issue is that with everything sitting where it should, there's no way the shifter will fit as it is blocked by the cross brace across the top of the tunnel. Even if I put it back on before lifting the tranny to mount the plate, there isn't enough clearance under the cross brace. Please see attached pics.

I'm pretty mechanical but this is by far the biggest automotive project I've tackled. I've been taking it step by step and am starting to realize how much I didn't know about transmissions, tail housings, shifter locations, etc. I'd rather have a front/mid shift location but I kinda like the look of an exposed relocate linkage anyway, assuming I can get this thing mounted.

 

[Gordon Levy]

Shoot a pic of the engine mounts and trans mount.

 

[coopscoop]

Thank you

 

[Gordon Levy]

I really can't tell from the pics on the engine mounts, I was hoping for a side shot but I think you have them on the wrong sides. The trans shifter should be behind that crossbar which is telling me the engine is too far forward. The engine mounts should offset the engine rearward if you look at them front the side.

 

[coopscoop]

That does make sense, but it doesn't seem like the mounts will fit in the slots the other way. I can double check the donor tomorrow but here's a couple pics of the mounts from the side.

R/passenger side with closed vertical slot and single aft hole for mount tab:

L/driver side with open vertical slot plus bottom and aft holes for tab (only bottom is used)

I don't think the R side closed vertical slot is tall enough to accept the mount that's currently on the L side.

 

[Gordon Levy]

They look correct, it's just your fit isn't making sense to me. I have built 250 of these cars and I only have to remove the crossbar is on mid shift transmissions. I think deeper investigation is warranted.

 

[coopscoop]

I agree, and I appreciate you taking the time. I even crosschecked the overall dimensions of the transmission, and it appears to be an original T5 without a modified tailpiece. I'll dry fit the driveshaft tomorrow to double check the length. Still waiting to hear back from FFR Tech. Really hoping the mounts didn't get mistakenly welded too far forward, like for some other engine setup...

 

[Gordon Levy]

It's happened before, email or call me if you want to talk. My info is in my signature.

 

[coopscoop]

Gordon, below is the response I received from FFR. Frustrating that my only options appear to be cutting the brace or switching transmissions. Would have been nice to know earlier, but I'm the kind of person who likes to keep moving forward instead of dwelling on the past.

I asked for confirmation of the mount locations to make sure, but assuming I need to cut the brace, do you have a suggestion for restoring the rigidity? I'm thinking of welding diagonal braces to some or all of the corners, as long as I'll still be able to fit the exposed-linkage relocator.

The transmission cross member can face in multiple directions, and there is no issue facing the bend up sitting next to the trans mount. This should resolve the mount line up issue. T5 transmissions require cutting of the frame bar that is in the way. A type 65 works a lot better with transmissions that have a mid-shift option, For rear shift gearboxes you need to do some trimming, as well as use the cobra style forward mount shifter

 

[ewh123]

You can change the shifter location on a t5. You have to change the tailshaft housing and trans top cover for one from a s10 pickup truck transmission. And you will have to use a shifter from a mustang cobra with a t56 trans, it will bolt onto the s10 tail housing. The s10 tail housing moves the shifter to the front of the tail housing, not on the rear like the mustang housing. I did this to my t5 in my coupe and it worked out fine. BTW my coupe is a gen 2 but from your pics it should clear your frame as well. I picked up the parts off of ebay, they were not expensive and its an easy bolt on. And the bushing for the driveshaft in the housing is the same size so the driveshaft will fit. HTH, ewh123.

 

[ewh123]

Here is the shifter I used, its a Pro 5.0 #DT-1670. Its for a 2003-04 Mustang Cobra with a T56 6speed. It bolts right on to the s10 tail housing. And you will have to redrill the trans mount holes closer together to match the spacing on the housing. ewh123.

 

[coopscoop]

Thank you. I think I'm going to use the tailpiece I have and cut the brace, then reweld it perpendicular along with a plate in case I want to rig up an exposed linkage later. I really like the look of the remote shifters but I can't seem to find anyone still making them. Trying a CNC short throw with forward offset shifter for now, but I like the idea of keeping options open for changes when I can actually drive it. I appreciate the input. Lots to consider when planning the next one...

 

[MetalManiac]

This issue also exists with a Ford 302 + Tremec TKX on the Gen3 Coupe. (I'm making one right now)
I absolutely installed it correctly and the standard shifter locations on the new TKX also lie right under the crossbar. I could get the mid-shift kit for $400 but wanted the rear-mount location so I could use a bent forward shifter (I dislike the short stubby shifter appearance in Cobras)

I sawed out the angled bar and I'm installing a straight-across reinforcement next to it instead.

 

[mdjr70]

I have a Long shifter mounted on top of a Richmond Gear transmission and had to remove one cross member from the top of the tunnel to get it to fit. Although I was concerned about it, it has made absolutely ZERO DIFFERENCE in terms of rigidity or strength. A NON-ISSUE.