So i have no idea how swapping transmissions works. But i have a 1973 f100 with a 302 and 3 speed trany. I want a five speed in it but im also trying to soop my 302 up and build a bit of a street truck out of it. I know its just a 302 but thats what i want. What are my options in transmissions?

 

• T5z
• Tremec TKO 500/600
• Tremec T-56
• M5OD
• M5R2

Glory....




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The next question should be what is your budget?

 

not sure i know most everything is in the thousands but ill save up for the best!

 

Well, that depends on whether you want new, fresh rebuild, or are willing to run used. Based on the Utah location listed in your profile the junk yard website car-part.com shows a couple ZF5 2wd in Salt Lake for $300 at Premium Auto Parts. A couple M5ODs are listed, one in Salt Lake and one in Orem, but no price listed. If there is a you-pull-it lot near you the price will likely be even lower. Just make sure they are in neutral and pop the tops off to check the condition of the internals before you pay for one. If you go the junk yard route ask for the yoke and front part of the driveline with the trans. At a you-pull take a sawzall and cut that part off. Using either of those transmissions will mean adapting hydraulic clutch components.

Another option is an NV4500 with this adapter: 712551 : Dodge NV4500 to a Ford 302 / 5.0L adapter plate kit. | Advance Adapters

Using that option though puts the cost of the trans back up but you can use mechanical linkage.

 

i want the very best i can get. I want something mean. Are these automatic transmissions or standard cuz im thinking i might as well switch to standard cuz i eventually wanted to do it anyway.

 

Only talking manuals. Going junkyard also opens pulling a T56 6 speed from a Camaro or Mustang. Bellhousings exist for adapting those.

 

Whats the difference in performance with all these different types

 

I just want to know what the very best transmission for speed and for what i have, no matter how expensive. And then i can look around for cheaper ones.

 

I dont have an issue with a 6 speed either i just want more than 4

 

The T5z is a production aluminum cased 5 speed introduced in the '80s. It was found in Fox body Mustangs. It evolved into the TKO series of aftermarket transmissions.

The TKO500 and 600 are popular aftermarket aluminum units. You will have to make sure they will bolt to the bellhousing you want to use. If not there are blow proof Lakewood and Quicktime units available. The 600 is stronger than the 500.

The M5OD, M5R2, and ZF5 are all aluminum production transmissions. With the right flywheel and clutch for your engine (internal/external balance, diameter, ring gear tooth count, ect.) you can use factory parts. Realize you may need to adapt/alter/fabricate to make these work. They all use hydraulic clutches. The M5OD is lighter duty, usually found behind the 5.0EFI. The M5R2 is a stronger version of this transmission. The ZF5 with the correct bellhousing for your 302 would be found behind the 5.8EFI but was also found behind the 7.5EFI and 7.3IDI and Powerstrokes with their corresponding bolt patterns.

The T56 (two overdrives) is popular among the car scene because it allows you to run more reduction in the differential while keeping the RPM street friendly. Essentially in 6th (0.5 OD) with 4.11 rear gears it is the same as a 1:1 4th gear 4 speed running 2.05 rear gears. You will need an aftermarket bellhousing. These usually use a hydraulic clutch. The case is made of aluminum.

The NV4500 is an iron cased transmission found in GM and Dodge pickups. The gear ratios 1-4 are similar to the NP435 and T18 4speeds used in our trucks. The adapter I linked mates the Dodge standard duty GAS unit to a production Ford bellhousing. This means using stock clutch linkage. There can be a problem with 5th gear that is usually addressed during rebuild. The diesel and V10 version uses a larger input shaft. The GM version has different input and output spline counts. This is a swap how to: Installing the NV4500 Overdrive Transmission - Ford-Trucks.com

Now, you need to decide how you are going to drive it. For light/occasional towing, short trip or stop and go commuting, or cruising around town, the aluminum 5 speeds would be more than adequate. The T56 will handle light towing as well. If you plan on cross country cruising, long trip commuting, or competition, I would go with this transmission. Towing often and heavy I would go NV4500 hands down. I may catch crap for that because it isn't a Ford transmission. My parents have towed often with a ZF5 behind their 5.8EFI in the F350 crewcab, but I have encountered enough noisy and poor shifting ZFs that I do not want to put one in my F350 Camper Special.

 

Thank you so much for all that information that helped alot!!! I really appreciate it. I think im going to go with the tremec t56 magnum.