My Transmission Choice - G-Force Fortified World Class T-5 5spd

(last updated 5 May 2007)

Manual Transmission versus Automatic: I chose Manual. I just have a problem with automatic sports cars. I know the auto is quick in drag racing, and probably safer when driving spiritedly (two hands on the wheel, and all that). Now a hydraulically operated clutched manual with a computer controlled automatic mode and a paddle mode would be best, but that's bucks.
I had a Muncie M-22 4spd that was strong enough, but the need for overdrive (the Z's short tires, and no gears below the 3.36:1 ratio) led me away from that.
I first bought a Borg Warner (BW) T-5 out of a V8 Monza. These are weaker than the World Class T-5, so I gave up on the idea. (Want to buy it cheap?)
I got a busted BW World Class T-5 cheap. Looked into rebuilding it and the parts came to almost $1000US! So I'd end up with an expensive tranny that is known to be weak over 300 lbft. (also available cheap!)
A friend who's done quite a few V8 Z's suggested a Tremec 5spd. A little more money than a new WC T-5 with the Ford durability upgrades, but stronger (possibly). Unfortunately, it's also bigger on top and 20lbs heavier. Recently, discussions with Jim Biondo have swayed me that a WC T-5 built with all the Ford upgrades might be strong enough. He is running one and is pumping out over 500 hp/lb-ft. But then again, he has less than 5000 miles on the combination.
Tremec has two versions; the TR3550 (425 lbft capacity) and the TKO (489 lbft). I chose the TR3550. It's the same one that Ford uses in the Cobra R Mustang.
Doing a BW T-56 conversion is more expensive and more involved. Still a good choice. There is a thorough write up for this swap here.

Ultimately, I sold the Tremec 5spd to Glenn for his Daytona Cobra Replica. I had G-Force rebuild my WC T-5, using their 9310 gear set an output shaft.

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