Just Ordered my Kit, and have Drivetrain Questions

[KauaiMK4]

Hello All,

I just ordered my MK4 Complete Kit this week, and am planning to use the Ford Racing 306 and T-5 transmission. I am looking to use the Summit racing combo packages for these.

- Looking for comments on the combo package components, and anything in them that should be swapped out for different items. I am not that all particular, but seeking ease of build, proper fit and everything working properly together.

- Second set of questions: I am looking at rear end options and gearing. Moser has a unit set up for the MK4 (stock Fox Mustang width 59.25") with 3.31 gears. Is there any issue with the Fox width? Factory Five has a unit that has 3.55 gears. Looking for opinions on which unit would work better with my engine and transmission choices. Are there other rear end options recommended?

When completed, I envision the MK4 to be a weekend cruiser, not racing and not making very long trips being on Kauai.

I'm sure I will have a lot of future questions, and appreciate this great Forum resource to help me get there!

Aloha,

KauaiMK4

[Ray]

I'm running a strong 302 with a T-5 and the donor ('93 Fox body) rear end. I started out using the OEM gearing (3:08) but found out that my speedometer was WAY (12+mph off.) The engine also lugging along at freeway speeds. It was recommended that I change over to 3:55's which I did. Not only did my speedometer error disappear, but the car is much stronger off the line and at freeway speeds. Turns just over 2000-rpm at 70 and I can go around slower traffic without downshifting.

Ray

[CraigS]

The fox width is exactly what you want. It makes it easy to run 315s w/ nice inexpensive wheels. Either 331 or 355 will work fine. The 355 will make first gear a little shorter but the plusses are harder accel in the other gears and the ability to use 5th more often. If one of the packages has the 'world class' or T5Z that has the taller first gear that would be perfect w/ the 355.

[mcrumay]

I am also looking at the Ford Racing 306. You can it dressed or minus distributor, carb and manifold. If is is dressed it comes with a MSD distributor and you still need a coil and 6al ignition box. If you get it bare you can use the "ready to run" MSD distributor and you don't need the ignition box. Less money,less stuff.

Mike

[stevem]

Try Mike Forte. He's crating up for me exactly what your looking for. Basically turn key engine ,trans, axle.

[KauaiMK4]

Thanks everyone for your advisement.

I looked up Forte's Parts and they offer a fox rear with 3.73 gears. Would this be too much for a cruiser?

I'll also contact them on Monday to see what they can offer as far as engine and trans combo for me.

Thanks Again,

KauaiMK4

[stevem]

Mike will build you whatever ratio you want. I went with 3.55.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Here's another recommendation to talk to Mike before pulling the trigger for an engine/trans/rearend. He's a Ford Racing and Tremec dealer and will work with you to put together a combination that should be very competitive cost wise with the big mega-stores such as Summit. I built a Mk4 for a customer and used the FRPP X-302 (306) that you are considering along with a T5-Z from Forte's. Coupled to a 3.55 rear it creates a nice streetable package which thanks to the Z's 2.95:1 first gear makes it much more useable than the WC T5's 3.35 first gear ratio. I think the T5Z/3.55 rear is about the ideal combination; going to a 3.73 rear will shorten that first gear range and add about 150 RPM to the 70 MPH cruising speed.

Good luck!

Jeff

[Benji]

How well does the T5Z hold up with these engines? I know it's rated for the power (in something weighing 1000lbs more) but how does it hold up with wider wheels (10.5-11"), stickier rubber and hard launches?

[frankeeski]

How well does the T5Z hold up with these engines?

Benji, given a choice between the T-5 and the TKO I would choose the T-5 for anything under 400 ft/lbs of torque. These cars weigh half of what a Mustang weigh and quite honestly even with wide sticky tires, traction is still an issue to contend with. The T-5 shifts like butter. The TKO, more like a truck. The TKO does offer better shifter placement within the car though so keep that in mind.

[Benji]

The TKO does offer better shifter placement within the car though so keep that in mind.

Thanks for the info Frank, doesn't the S10 tail for the T5 offer a 'mid shift' option? I'd prefer the T5 for the 30lbs weight savings over the TKO600 but I'm not sure what options there are to make it stand up to ~400ft/lbs (Coyote), I've seen the G-Force option but that's expensive and I'm not sure how much weight it adds (if any).

[CraigS]

My TKO 500 shifts very nicely. I understand the TKO600 is the stiff shifter trans.

[Avalanche325]

My TKO 500 shifts very nicely. I understand the TKO600 is the stiff shifter trans.

Everything that I have read says that the differance is the input shaft and the gearing. There should be no differance in shifting smoothness between the 500 and 600.

I heard Dave Smith state that FFR has never broken a T-5 in one of their cars. You would probably be just fine with a T-5 on a 306.

[edwardb]

A T5 has a single rail shift mechanism. The TKO 500/600's are a three rail system. Just more going on. But also way stronger. I have to agree, the T5z in my Mk3 shifts very nicely. Practically drops into the proper gears. And it seems an ideal combination for the 306. But I'm putting a TKO600 in my Mk4 because the 347 will be approaching 500hp, and decided just too much for a T5. I will be very interested to find out the difference. If I were doing a Coyote build, it would also be a TKO.