Cheap manual transmissions for an LS.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2016
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Cheap manual transmissions for an LS. Looking to do a cheap, cheap swap in my 04 Mustang 3.8 5 speed. I know 'cheap' and 'motor swap' should never be mixed but it's just a quick project to make me and my father-in-law closer. (He's a Ford guy, I'm a Chevy guy.) Anyway, I have my eye on a local LM7 for next to nothing. I found out I could use my factory K member if I use 4.6 mounts and adapter plates. I was hoping to use my factory T5 5 speed (I spoke to someone who used one by a mix of GM and Ford parts between the clutch assembly, plus a specific bellhousing) because it would save me from having to buy an expensive T56 and switch to a hydraulic clutch, but apparently the T5 I have is just too weak. I'm looking for another transmission that will work, Ford or GM. I've checked the NV3500 and NV4500, although I'd still have to switch to hydraulic. It seems the 3500 won't handle the torque and although the 4500 will, it has a very steep 1st gear and is also extremely heavy. Any other ideas? All opinions, criticizes and "dude you're out of your ******* mind, dumbass" quotes are welcome lol. We're planning on doing two of these, but the first one we want to do dirt dirt dirt cheap. The second one will be more expensive, using AJE parts, aluminum block+t56, etc.
TECH Addict
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,189
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From: Portland, Oregon
Welcome to the forums.
Just rebuild/upgrade your T5, and get the bellhousing to mount it to an LS. You can get all the fancy cool-guy parts like billet keys and bronze guides and a master rebuild kit from thegearbox.org to make the T5 you have now equivalent to a "Stage II" transmission. Plus, you get a fully refreshed transmission, instead of a junkyard mystery transmission in unknown condition.
You also might want to take a look at the Hooker SN95 adapter plates for the engine. All the UPR and other crappy swap kits make the engine sit really high. The team making the Hooker mounts have went out of their way to make the engine sit lower, and I think that is worth mentioning.
Don't forget to either swap in a GT 8.8 axle or a '04 Cobra IRS. Those V6 axles are a joke. So are the V6 brakes, swap those for the '04 Cobra brakes, as well.
Just rebuild/upgrade your T5, and get the bellhousing to mount it to an LS. You can get all the fancy cool-guy parts like billet keys and bronze guides and a master rebuild kit from thegearbox.org to make the T5 you have now equivalent to a "Stage II" transmission. Plus, you get a fully refreshed transmission, instead of a junkyard mystery transmission in unknown condition.
You also might want to take a look at the Hooker SN95 adapter plates for the engine. All the UPR and other crappy swap kits make the engine sit really high. The team making the Hooker mounts have went out of their way to make the engine sit lower, and I think that is worth mentioning.
Don't forget to either swap in a GT 8.8 axle or a '04 Cobra IRS. Those V6 axles are a joke. So are the V6 brakes, swap those for the '04 Cobra brakes, as well.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2016
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Thanks a lot, David!
That was my original plan but I've never taken a transmission apart so I'd probably feel safer if I were to have someone to do the rebuild lol. But factoring in the $400 for the master rebuild kit, price to have someone do the rebuild, and nearly $700 for the QuickTime bellhousing, I'll be paying a lil more on the transmission part than expected and would really rather avoid it if possible. If it comes down to it, I guess it's still a cheaper alternative to the T56 and McLeod hydraulic clutch conversion.
That was my original plan but I've never taken a transmission apart so I'd probably feel safer if I were to have someone to do the rebuild lol. But factoring in the $400 for the master rebuild kit, price to have someone do the rebuild, and nearly $700 for the QuickTime bellhousing, I'll be paying a lil more on the transmission part than expected and would really rather avoid it if possible. If it comes down to it, I guess it's still a cheaper alternative to the T56 and McLeod hydraulic clutch conversion.
TECH Addict
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,189
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From: Portland, Oregon
Don't be afraid of rebuilding your own transmission. You can find a million step-by-step walkthroughs and plenty of people with experience to help you through the process of rebuilding it yourself. That saves you the cost of paying someone else to do it. Not sure what it even costs to get a transmission rebuilt with a master rebuild kit you are providing, but I have seen shops charge $500 just to install customer provided gears in an axle, so anything you can possibly do yourself usually saves you an assload of money.
The bellhousing is going to be expensive no matter what, but that is the price of admission. You might be able to find a used one if you shop around.
The bellhousing is going to be expensive no matter what, but that is the price of admission. You might be able to find a used one if you shop around.
An old muncie or super T10 will bolt up. You need to source a 621 big block bell housing or buy an aftermarket equivalent, same one you would use with your T5. You can even run mechanical clutch linkage.
Here is a not too bad thread
https://ls1tech.com/forums/manual-tr...-can-here.html
Here is a not too bad thread
https://ls1tech.com/forums/manual-tr...-can-here.html
Consider a Muncie or T10, no issues with either. I've run both behind an LS motor.
Your Ford T5 has a different bell to trans bolt pattern, input shaft, clutch spline and pilot bearing diameters. It's probably doable to mate it to a GM with bellhousing and pilot bearing adapters, hybrid GM/Ford clutch, but may cost more than buying a Muncie/T10, 621 bell, and clutch.
There is a stock GM bell with ford bolt pattern (4.3 Astro Van), but those are pretty rare.
Your Ford T5 has a different bell to trans bolt pattern, input shaft, clutch spline and pilot bearing diameters. It's probably doable to mate it to a GM with bellhousing and pilot bearing adapters, hybrid GM/Ford clutch, but may cost more than buying a Muncie/T10, 621 bell, and clutch.
There is a stock GM bell with ford bolt pattern (4.3 Astro Van), but those are pretty rare.
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Couldn't say for sure, but the pic I found makes it look similar to a 621 (pic below). Yu can see bosses for both GM and Ford patterns.But then you still have to deal with the different input shaft length, hybrid GM flywheel/pressure plate, ford disk, bearing retainer, and pilot bearing.
A Muncie/T10 would be much simpler.
A Muncie/T10 would be much simpler.
In a T5 car that already has the T5 which is set up for speedo, shifter position and maybe even can re-use the driveshaft? Just stop, Captain. Tenille is tired of you and your mismatched clutch disc.
Here is another option. I wouldn't even put $1 into ANY T5 transmission unless the internals were not even remotely stock.
350z Gen2 CD0009 transmission
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...009-trans.html
350z Gen2 CD0009 transmission
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...009-trans.html
My bad... I looked thru my records and found that I had bought the "iron duke" bellhousing with the Ford trans pattern. This bell definitely will not work with a 168t flywheel. Somehow was thinking it was the same as the Astro bell.
I currently have a ls1/6 mated to a 94 cobra t5 utilizing a quicktime bellhousing, 9 1/4" 23 tooth input shaft, ls1 pressure plate, 10.5" exedy clutch disk 10 spline (for Ford input shaft). Lots of little variances between the t5's and in the end youll have almost the same amount into the t5 as you would going the t56 plus a ton more headache and a trans youre hoping will last powershifting. Again, you wont save much money if any in the end.
Last edited by elliss12; Sep 7, 2016 at 12:11 PM.
I Used an NV3500 behind a 5.3 in my 68 c10. Was super cheap and easy to do, trans is small and light weight and is very tough.
However it has 2 serious downfalls:
1st gear is a very low ratio and there is a big step in ratio from 2nd to 3rd
It does not like to be shifted at higher rpm
It is a great trans for just a cruiser swap, but if you are trying to race the car or go fast it probably is not your best option
However it has 2 serious downfalls:
1st gear is a very low ratio and there is a big step in ratio from 2nd to 3rd
It does not like to be shifted at higher rpm
It is a great trans for just a cruiser swap, but if you are trying to race the car or go fast it probably is not your best option
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Find a Quality alignment shop near you!
Launching!
Joined: Jul 2016
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There's a reason why GM put virtually no T5s behind the 350 engine (but you can find them behind 305s & V6s all day long). And GM dumped the T5 completely when the opti-crap-equipped LT1 was introduced, never mind the LS engines...
I wouldn't say that the T5 is garbage - but the only way that I would use one would be in a fairly-lightweight vehicle that didn't need to make much torque.
Originally Posted by Ghostang
...but it's just a quick project to make me and my father-in-law closer. (He's a Ford guy, I'm a Chevy guy.)
I seriously hope that you get to make that happen!! 
nv3500 is a truck tranny and it shifts like a truck tranny. there are some ones in later 4.3 s10's that dont have as deep of a first gear and less of a jump from 2-3.
if you gotta row your own, for as cheap as possible that's where i'd look.
the cd009 swap is gaining popularity, they were $300-400 a year ago, now they're twice that
if you gotta row your own, for as cheap as possible that's where i'd look.
the cd009 swap is gaining popularity, they were $300-400 a year ago, now they're twice that