T5 Transmission doesn't fit?

I finally have my drivetrain in the car and think I have an issue with fitment of the transmission. Thanks for any help you can give.

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.

Attachment 172622Attachment 172623Attachment 172624Attachment 172625

Cut the brace to remove the interference.
Rebuild, bend, modify it if you wish.
A Sawzall is your friend.
Jim

I had same drive train in my Type 65. No issues but it was a gen2. Like above said do what you have to do. Removing one brace should be no issue at all.

Attachment 172626

Can't really comment on the T5, but I can give a couple of ideas with the T56 that may or may not help.

1. Rotating or reorienting the transmission mount plate should not be an issue. As long as you can mount it securely. Us T56 owners generally have to mount it upside down (if I remember correctly) to make it work, and so far I haven't heard any complaints as to the long-term effects of doing so.

2. The T56 has the ability to rotate the shifter plate so that the shifter can be mounted in a more forward position. Without doing that, it runs into the same issue yours has. I have no idea if the T5 has this feature, but have you tried rotating it 180 on the Y axis? The T56 has two positions for the ball socket— not sure if your's does, but maybe there is a way to adjust the ball receiver forward?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jim1855

Cut the brace to remove the interference.
Rebuild, bend, modify it if you wish.
A Sawzall is your friend.
Jim

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This. Been there, done that. No problem.

Yep gotta cut the brace, did it no issues as per FFR

Agree with all the advice that you'll have to cut the cross pieces. Happens frequently on the Roadster and guys often just leave them cut without adding anything back. I'd be a little careful on the Coupe though. Don't know if it means anything, but the cross braces on the Gen 3 Coupe are not the same thinwall tubing as the Roadster. Larger size and much thicker and heavier. Perhaps it's more structural than on the Roadster? I don't know, but safe bet would be to weld in a replacement of some kind.

I have a SBF with a TKX and with preliminary measuring I may have that same issue. I can flip my shifter location so I have approx. 3 inches of play from one location to the other. It still looks tight and I will find out for sure when I try to install the engine in the next few weeks.

Tremec does how options for some remote shifter housings.