Another T5 gearing thread:

[DAVID_T]

I am running the 3.27 gearing from a 96 8.8 rear end, and I have stock T5 hooked up to a 351w that is pushing just under 400hp according to the engine build calculators.

This is a have fun going around town car. I thought the transmission was in decent shape, but I have a slight grind in 2nd, and it's now leaking fluid from the main seal. Since I am yanking it, I thought I may as well upgrade the gearing in it, and if I am doing that, I may as well upgrade the rear end gears to match (you see how this snowballs?).

Long story short, if I want to have a car that has awesome zip when you stomp it, but cruises on the highway, what is a good gear ratio for the transmission? I like that when I throw it in 5th now, it sits around 1.7k-2k RPM on the freeway and I can talk to my passenger without screaming.

I was considering a TKX, but that might be a little bit TOO much snowballing since I have everything for a T5 and it's a quick and easy pull and replace.

Thoughts?
Thank you!



Oh, bonus question: My clutch fork has no boot. When I look around I cannot find the boot for my clutch fork and bellhousing. Reading on Mustang forums, it seems that there isn't a manufactured boot for my clutch fork anymore, and if you find them, consider yourself lucky. Is this a problem? It feels like a bad idea leaving it open.

[Jeff Kleiner]

My favorite combination when using a T5 is the z spec ratios of 2.95 first and .63 fifth coupled with a 3.55 rear. This works great on both ends.

Jeff

[MB750]

I don't think that bellhousing comes with a boot, per se. It's a metal cover:

https://lmr.com/item/LRS-7513DK/1996-04-Mustang-Clutch-Fork-Dust-Cover

[DAVID_T]

Ii should have specified, this is a BH for the T5 and 351w. Not the 96 modular mustang.

[CraigS]

I agree w/ Jeff but I am not sure it is worth it. Putting all new gears in the T-5 when it just needs a 2nd synchro is a heck of an expensive upgrade. And then doing the axle too????? One comment I have heard over the years and think is correct, is that changing diff gears by one step is generally not worth the expense. If you are good w/ the $, I'd do the trans w/ the gears Jeff mentions and think about a diff later. I believe you can get the Z gears that are stronger than the stock gears so you get a better 1st and also a long term benefit of more muscle to handle the 351 torque.

[MB750]

If you know the year, make, and model of that combo, hit up Rockauto.

[MB750]

There's also G-Force if you're really looking to beef up that T5.

https://www.gforcetransmissions.com/tran_gt-5.asp

It's a whole gearset rated for 600 ft-lbs. Comes in around $1600.

[Rdone585]

Don't be afraid of staying with the 3.27 gear set in the rear. I would actually prefer it for my setup rather than the 3.55 I have but it's not worth it for me to do. I've got so much torque that a 3.27 would probably be a better fit. It would also give me more range in 4th so I wouldn't even need 5th on the track. Currently I only use 5th gear on the highway while cruising above 65, or on the straight at Road America.
The G-Force gears are great in a T5, it easily handles what I have. But realize by the time you include labor and the proper gear oil, you're likely in about $2K. You'll also need a new clutch since the input shaft is changed from a 10 to a 26 spline shaft. To get the 600 ft-lb rating I believe you must also purchase the upgraded main shaft.