Hey all. I know parts of this have been covered before, along with a pretty detailed conversion thread on adding a T5 transmission to a Y-block. But there are a few things that I was hoping to find out that I have had a lot of trouble finding.

So bear with me here if this is old hat. But if all the questions were covered in a different thread, I would really appreciate it.

Here are my questions.

Bellhousing.
I know that the 3 spd bellhousing is used to adapt the T5 to a y-block. But what mods are done exactly? I saw pad welded in a few pictures, but is this for all the bolts, or just a couple? Is there a way to align the trans to the bellhousing to get the placement? Any gotchas that must be addressed?

Transmission.
OK so the T5 has been used in a lot of applications. What are the recommended app? Why? I have seen references to an S-10 swap, but what about spline differences? How about the T5 used in a Jeep? What years, what else should be considered?

Clutch disk.
Is it really as simple as replaing the plate with the one that fits the donor transmission? Is there more to consider?

Pressure plate.
Is it better to continue to use the original pressure plate, or redrill for another style? Or is there a modern pressure plate that will work with the original flywheel without redrilling?

Other considerations?
Other than things like drive shafts and such, which I would consider pretty obvious, what other gotchas are there?

Thanks for anyone that humors me here, it is really appreciated.

 

Bellhousing:
I sent mine out for modification. The bottom 2 holes of the 3 speed pattern are used with the T5. The bearing retainer hole was enlarged to that the transmission fits with no modifications. Holes were cut and slugs which are threaded all the way through were welded onto the bell housing for the 2 upper mounting points for the T5.
Because the lower holes of the 3 speed pattern are still used, it would not be difficult to align the transmission for the modification. You will need access to a mill or lathe, though.
Transmission:
Since you will be using it behind a v8, get one that came behind a v8. The S10 tail housing can be swapped on to move the shifter forward in order to clear the seat. Some applications may work without the S10 housing, with a shift handle bent just right. And if you have bucket seats, then it shouldn't be an issue. Don't know about the jeep.
Clutch Disc.
I'll say it can be that simple but don't be surprised if it is not.
Pressure plate
Again, I'll say it can be that easy. Re-drilling should not be necessary. After you do this swap, you will have many clutch options.
Other Considerations:
I had one thing that was a gotcha and it was the clutch. Have a look here for a more detailed account. The T5 is in!

 

Consider diff bell or adaptor if mods to bell are too expensive or not available, or your bell compromised etc.

Bells and adaptors here:

Modern Driveline T5 transmission parts & conversion packages

Mustang V8 trans, some with 3.35 first are good. S10 tailshaft housing as per prev post, they say it goes right on as the trans was made to interchange easily. Consider steel bearing retainer.

 

I just installed a t-5 in my 56'. It originally had a granny gear 4 speed with first gear being very low (6 something to 1). I had to find a f-100 three speed bell housing. The 4 speed one has a very large flange. I used a mustang t-5 from the last couple years ford used the t-5, because it has a longer input shaft and matches the longer f-100 bell housing using a adapter plate. Modern Driveline (from the above posting) put together the transmission using a s-10 tail shaft and gear drive speedo setup.) With the adapter plate it bolt up. I used the stock fly wheel with a 11" clutch disk and a pressure plate from a mid-60s 390 ford. The throwout bearing is a custom one using a stock passinger car bearing with a adapter sleave so the f-100 clutch fork will work. The instillation was quite easy and the result is great.

 

Skip: does the T5 shifter lever come thru the hole in the inspection cover that the old truck 4 speed used, or did you have to do any trimming for shifter clearance?

 

HI wild bunch,
the shift lever ends up about 8" back from its stock 4-speed location. I used the stock shift lever and welded a tab on it to bolt to the t-5 stub lever. I also had to make some bends in the stock lever to make it functional. The shift lever comes through the floor far enough forward that it doesn't hit the stock seat though.
skip

 

Thanks for that, Skip, I appreciate it!