Summit T5 - Pull the Trigger?

[jbow03]

After trying to sorce a donor T5 and have it rebuilt, I think I'll go with the Summit option below:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fms-m-7003-z/make/ford

Any fatal flaws that I'm missing or should this do the trick? 302 rebuilt explorer motor, IRS from FFR with 3.55 rear end. No crazy HP numbers, just want something reliable for a transmission.

[egchewy79]

This is what I’m running with my 289. No issues

[Jeff Kleiner]

That will work and the ratios are ideal for a 3.55 rear. Before pulling the trigger though check with Mike Forte and see what he can do for the same.

Jeff

[Rebostar]

I put a TKX I got from Summit behind my stroked and bored (427) 351W. No bad issues at all, great outfit, great price, delivered in 3 days via UPS. Only go-carted so far but I'm very happy with it.

202917202918

[steno]

What Jeff said!!

[jbow03]

Thanks all, huge help!

[ProfessorB]

The only experience I have with a T5 was with a '90 Mustang GT. I was VERY disappointed with the way it shifted....it didn't shift "fast". I'm an old guy and I'm used to GM Muncie 4-speeds and Mopar New Process 4-speeds. They all used to shift effortlessly and fast. To be fair, I had heard that the problem was the stock Ford shifter and not the transmission itself.... and I never did try swapping out the shifter. And also, in the Summit description it mentions "short throw shifter". But still, I have a Tremec in my Cobra and it shifts like butter, just like my old 4-speeds shifted. Just sayin'

[Jrmotorsports55]

There is a big difference between the stock Mustang T5 and the T5Z that is being referenced.

[Jeff Kleiner]

The only experience I have with a T5 was with a '90 Mustang GT. I was VERY disappointed with the way it shifted....it didn't shift "fast". I'm an old guy and I'm used to GM Muncie 4-speeds and Mopar New Process 4-speeds. They all used to shift effortlessly and fast. To be fair, I had heard that the problem was the stock Ford shifter and not the transmission itself.... and I never did try swapping out the shifter. And also, in the Summit description it mentions "short throw shifter". But still, I have a Tremec in my Cobra and it shifts like butter, just like my old 4-speeds shifted. Just sayin'

Interesting because that's the exact opposite of my experience and that reported by many others. Which Tremec do you have? Usually most feel that the T5 shifts like butter when compared to the Tremec 3650 or the TKO500 and 600. It has been improved with the TKX.

Jeff

[rich grsc]

Agreed Jeff. The tremec I drove was like shifting a log truck, maybe the newer ones are better.

[ProfessorB]

There is a big difference between the stock Mustang T5 and the T5Z that is being referenced.

Thanks, I wondered as much. (It was referencd as "super duty"). I wonder if you might also know if swapping out the shifter on a stock T5 makes a big difference?

[David Hodgkins]

I have a “super duty” T5 I got from a former vendor and I won’t do another one. I put a TKO600 in my 2nd build and liked it much better. Both used quality aftermarket mid-shifts.

The TKO - now TKX - may be a bit of overkill for your power but better to be too strong than too weak IMO.

Talk to Mike, he’ll give you good advice.

:)

[Jrmotorsports55]

Thanks, I wondered as much. (It was referencd as "super duty"). I wonder if you might also know if swapping out the shifter on a stock T5 makes a big difference?

Yes, aftermarket shifter will tighten things up a lot and shorten the throws. The stock shifter is made for comfort, not accuracy.

[ProfessorB]

Yes, aftermarket shifter will tighten things up a lot and shorten the throws. The stock shifter is made for comfort, not accuracy.

With the stock Mustang T5 shifter, it wasn't the length of the throw.... it was that it seemed to "hang up" halfway thru the shift. There was no way to shift fast...it would hang up in between gears if I moved the shifter too quickly.

[rich grsc]

The stock shifter had no shift stops, so when you shifted fast (power shift) you would bend the shift forks in the transmission due to over travel. The hanging up was likely due to bent forks.