So I have a 95 f150 extended cab 4.9L 5-speed Mazda that I converted to 4wd a couple years back. I don't really need the reliability of the 4.9 anymore and want to go faster. So I recently came into a 5.0 OH that I'm building to put into my truck. The problem is I know the mazda isn't going to hold up to the power of the 5.0. I plan to build the motor to push 400hp to the tire and I figure with the cam I want a similar torque figure. Does anyone have any recommendation for a MANUAL transmission that will hold up to this kind of power. I also have a turbo to put on later down the road, but I want to get the 5.0 in first and mess with that later. Being that I plan to turbo it in the future I would like an overdrive trans. Any help would be greatly appreciated Thanks in advance.

 

Could you do a tremec 6 speed with a divorced t case?

 

Why not a ZF?

 

Precisely

 

I thought about running a t-5 with a divorced t-case, but I was concerned how it would hold up to towing or hauling in the event I needed it. I don't tow anything really right now but I haul stuff around quite a bit. I wanted to put a zf in the only problem is I live in Michigan and the closest one I can find is in Pennsylvania and I was still concerned on how it would hold up to 400-500 ft/lbs of torque.

 

It was designed for that kind of torque: ZF 5 Speed Specs | ZF S5-42 & ZF S5-47

If you plan to use the truck as a truck the ZF-5 will be hard to beat. It is not a fast shifting trans. If you plan to treat the truck like a Mustang/hot rod then look for a car transmission like a T-5 or other Tremec variant.

 

Definitely DON'T want a T5. That won't put up with the weight of the truck PLUS the HP he plans to put through it. Only real choice is a TKO of some sorts.

I'd find a ZF. No sense in speed shifting a 4x4.

 

Well zf it is I guess. How hard is it to convert a 2wd zf to 4wd I know you have to change the tail shaft, but are the parts to do it hard to find? I guess I know the whole trans has to come part, but has anyone paid someone to do it? I don't know if I have enough know how to attempt that one.

 

Zf5 is not going to be a good transmission for what it sounds like you want...the zf5 has only 3 acceleration gears.

First, what are you doing to achieve 400 whp with your 302?

2nd, the mazda will handle a mildly built 302 just fine, and is geared much more street friendly as it has 4 usable acceleration gears.

There are other trans options but let's start with how you are getting 400whp.

 

I going to run an x-cam with .483 lift and aluminum probably performer heads, with forged piston. Still trying to figure those out because I want to keep it around a 10:1 compression ratio for when I put the turbo on and then run about 10 psi of boost with that. Naturally headers and I will run an intercooler and I'm thinking Water-Meth to keep everything a little cooler. I'm also doing a mass air flow conversion, I think a 65mm throttle body would be good and a Mega Squirt system to tie it all together.

 

I think I'd srart with a 351

 

I could talk a lot about your engine plans but I'll stick to your trans...

NV5600 is what I'd run if money's not an issue. You can get an adapter for it to mate sbf. Will cost around 3k for an adapter and a used trans, plus driveshaft work.

If money is an issue then zf5 it is, just have to live with the poor gearing.

 

Same here