kuhn_dawg445

I have a 1997 v6 mustang that I’m wanting to drop a 350 into. The car has a T5, I am trying to figure out what I need or if it is even possible to mate this transmission behind chevy small block. I assume a bell housing from a t5 camaro or something of the like? Will I need a different input shaft to run a GM clutch? Or are the clutches the same? Thanks in advance

wretched73

It won't work. Ford T5 and chevy T5 need a different bellhousing. IIRC the input shaft is also wrong from a V6 car

You'd probably find better info on a mustang or 3rd gen camaro forum

kuhn_dawg445

Well I know it requires a different bell housing. That’s what I was saying. Is the bolt pattern on the transmission itself different? Not bellhousing to motor, but bellhousing to tranny. What prevents me from bolting up a v8 Camaro’s bell housing to the ford t5? And if the GM vs Ford input shafts are different, could i install the proper splined input shaft into it?
Or am I better off just keeping my eye out for a different trans? What should I shoot for? T56? Or maybe just grab a factory GM T5?

kuhn_dawg445

Also I did make a post first on StangNet, and half the replies were people upset that I was going to put a small block chevy into a mustang; I actually ended up banned for “spam.”

wretched73

I don't remember all the specifics. Overall the T5 is trash. There is a reason it was behind v6's and the 305 SBC and not offered behind a 350 sbc (that I know of).

You'd be way ahead to just get a T56 from a 4th gen LT1 camaro or a T5 from a 3rd gen camaro.

68Formula

Epic! You'll totally fit in here.

Stampede4ever

You can use the RM-6037 Bellhousing, but it is pricey af. I plan on running a Ford t5 behind my Ls, I can break a few before reaching the price of a well used pos T56.

Stampede.

wretched73

An a T5 from a V6 will work with that??

kuhn_dawg445

I have been reading up on this a good bit, and generally this is what I see in many forums. But I have seen many people saying their T5’s have lasted thousands of miles in setups making more power than I’m planning(for now)
And as Stampede stated above, I could replace a T5 a few times before spending as much as I would on a t56. It’s also only going to be a street car. Since the car has in it a T5 already I am trying my best to use it.

Stampede4ever

What is the trans out of? Also, you may want to open the trans up, install a steel cluster support, reset the bearing tolerance on the cluster and main shaft, to help it live a little longer.

Stampede.

ElkySS

iTrader: (6)

My buddy had a T5 behind his 350 TPI motor. Probably made about 300 rwhp. He broke it about once a month before he finally bought a T56

wretched73

The T5 has been out for what, 40 years now? There should be loads upon loads of data. The cases are one major weak point. Spend all your time getting it to work.

Stampede still didn't mention if a ford v6 T5 will work with that ($900) bellhousing. The bellhousing alone gets you half way or more towards a used T56, especially the less desirable LT1 variant

kuhn_dawg445

https://www.vintage-mustang.com/thre...rences.396544/

Some useful information in here. It’s too bad the web links are too old to be used. If I interpreted everything correctly, my transmission currently has a 10 spline, 11/16-inch input shaft, and, obviously a Ford bellhousing. In order to bolt the Ford T5 to a GM block: I need a GM standard bolt pattern bellhousing, a 26 spline, 1 1/8-inch input shaft and a GM clutch. The only question I have yet to find a definitive answer for; will a GM bellhousing such as one from a Camaro bolt to my transmission? Obviously the bellhousing-to-block bolt pattern is different between Chevrolet and Ford, but is the bellhousing to transmission pattern the same? If so, and correct me if I am wrong, I should be able to run a bellhousing and an input shaft from a v8 Camaro's T5 with no problem.

ElkySS

iTrader: (6)

Just so you're aware, a T5 is actually weaker than a 10 bolt

79LS1FOX

iTrader: (11)

The Ford T5 will not bolt to a Chevy bellhousing you may be able to find an adapter to fit between the bell and the trans then you probably wouldn't even need to change the input shaft as a Ford clutch will bolt to a Chevy flywheel . Good luck with your swap.

79LS1FOX

iTrader: (11)

Heres a good video of how to do this swap with part #'s included.

garys 68

iTrader: (1)

There's a few ford T5 swaps to SBCs over at the corvetteforum C3 tech page.

kuhn_dawg445

Very useful information. The video is a huge help. Once I get my ducks in a line I think I am going to order the bellhousing and adapter plate mentioned in the video; and a Ford clutch. I am hoping to start the project this summer.

jmd

iTrader: (4)

The Ford T5 input shaft can't be swapped to GM 26 spline because the gears are different tooth counts.

The trouble with swaps like this is right price trans. cost plus all items needed to swap over ends up costing more than the 88-92 V8 GM T5 to begin with. That trans. can bolt up to a GM bellhousing, pilot bearing, clutch disc, and the shifter is further back, which isn't a bad thing. It does have it's negatives, but it's a better set of gear ratios for a 350 or an LS engine, than the Ford box.

kuhn_dawg445

Good to have clarification on this; I’m no longer worried about it though because as someone mentioned above I can run a Ford clutch with a GM flywheel.
I agree with this, but I am trying my best to use my Ford trans as I already have one and and it’s already mounted in the car and everything.