Thunderbird/T-5 question
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Senior User
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From: charlotte, nc
Thunderbird/T-5 question
Trying to do a little research on the 83-88 Turbo tbirds. Trying to find out which T-5 was used in them. Actually, I really want to know which set of gears was used. The 3.97, 2.34, 1.46, 1.00, 0.81 or the 3.50, 2.14, 1.39, 1.00, 0.79.
I found one site that says T-birds got the 3.97, etc. But then says the SVO's got the 3.50, etc. Was the SVO a little hotter turbo 4 than the t-bird turbo 4? I found another site saying they are basically the same turbo 4. Why a different trans if they were the same, or pretty similar?
If anyone could point me to a website or several, I'd appreciate it.
One last question. Where are the I.D. numbers on the T-5's. That might be the best way to identify what's there, assuming it can be read with the trans in the car.
I found one site that says T-birds got the 3.97, etc. But then says the SVO's got the 3.50, etc. Was the SVO a little hotter turbo 4 than the t-bird turbo 4? I found another site saying they are basically the same turbo 4. Why a different trans if they were the same, or pretty similar?
If anyone could point me to a website or several, I'd appreciate it.
One last question. Where are the I.D. numbers on the T-5's. That might be the best way to identify what's there, assuming it can be read with the trans in the car.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Willow River B.C.
The ID tag should be bolted to the top of the tranny if i remember right (theres actually one in my trunk, just dont wana go outside
) and there is a chart here (there once was a link here but I cant post it???) which will tell you the ratios of the gears.
And i'm pretty sure there wasnt any difference between the tbird engines and the SVO engines.
I will send you the link in a PM, besides theres no reason it should be posted here, not like anyone else will ever need help
) and there is a chart here (there once was a link here but I cant post it???) which will tell you the ratios of the gears.And i'm pretty sure there wasnt any difference between the tbird engines and the SVO engines.
I will send you the link in a PM, besides theres no reason it should be posted here, not like anyone else will ever need help
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From: charlotte, nc
TbirdScott, Got your pm, thanks. A friend has an 88 he is trying to sell, or maybe part out. Its a T-5 car, but the chart shows no t-5's forr 88 turbo birds. must have been swapped in at some point?
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From: Destin/Ft. Walton Beach,
I thought the T-Bird used the M5R2 Mazda based transmissions. I'm sure that the 89 and up did. I have one for a 90 SuperCoupe. I don't know about the gear ratio, but it would help if you could look up the correct transmission. Of course it's possible that the T5 was used in earlier T-Birds.
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From: charlotte, nc
Steve, you might have a point there in the Mazda Transmission. This is a similar site to the one TbirdScott posted
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/D...66/t5data.html
88 is not listed, 83-87 are. They could have switched to the Mazda trans in 88. Are these are the same trans put in the rangers? I recall hearing that they are pretty weak.
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/D...66/t5data.html
88 is not listed, 83-87 are. They could have switched to the Mazda trans in 88. Are these are the same trans put in the rangers? I recall hearing that they are pretty weak.
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From: Destin/Ft. Walton Beach,
Actually, they're real similar to the trans in the 90's F150. The main difference, is where the shifter is in relation to the output shaft. The T-Bird trans has the shifter all the way to the rear. I'm pretty sure the gear ratios aren't the same, too. They aren't know, for being very tough. You are correct on that.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Willow River B.C.
ok just did some checking, the '88 used the same tranny as the '87 (t5) and has the same ratios/specs.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 869
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From: Apple Valley CA USA
88 and older did use a T5 and it is different than the SVO T5 (which only fits an SVO). The SVO is a lighter car with a better rear gear and more horsepower. For example the 86 Tbirds had 3.54 gears in the back and 175HP while the SVO's were 3.73 gears and had 205HP. the engines were similar but the SVO got a better computer and some other minor differences. The SVO was a serious kick butt car and 300 horsepower is within easy and cheap reach. Not bad for an old 4 cylinder Mustang! Hawkrod
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From: Langhorne, PA
I had a T5 tranny in my 87 Stang GT. The gears became toast around 40,000.
Raced the car alot, I wasn't upset when it failed. That tranny isn't very tough, if at all possible upgrade to something else. When I tried to buy new gears for my T5, I was told that Ford had changed the gears, and the old ratios, wouldn't be available any longer. I think Ford knew it had the wrong gears inside the box. This all happened 12 or 13 years ago, I forget the details, something smelled fishy about the gear change story from Ford.At this point, all I can remember is that the tranny was no good.
Raced the car alot, I wasn't upset when it failed. That tranny isn't very tough, if at all possible upgrade to something else. When I tried to buy new gears for my T5, I was told that Ford had changed the gears, and the old ratios, wouldn't be available any longer. I think Ford knew it had the wrong gears inside the box. This all happened 12 or 13 years ago, I forget the details, something smelled fishy about the gear change story from Ford.At this point, all I can remember is that the tranny was no good.