transmission swap

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Jul 11, 2010 | 01:45 PM

Bulldawg1081

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From: Tulia, Texas

transmission swap

hey guys i have an '88 f150 with a 302 and the m5od tranny and its driving me crazy...this truck is kinda souped up and i dont think the tranny will hold up much longer ..i know the zf 42 or 47 is a direct swap but how are they for street racing?...is there anything that would be better than a zf? what all is required for swapping to a zf?

Jul 11, 2010 | 04:54 PM

Bulldawg1081

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From: Tulia, Texas

guys im for real here..ive searched multiple posts pertaining to this and i cant find the proper answer...any advice would be GREATLY appreciated

Jul 11, 2010 | 05:18 PM

raystankewitz

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From: Central Indiana

Well, If I were building a truck for street racing, I would use a Richmond 5 speed or a Tremec 3550 or 3550 TKO.

They will shift faster due to a shorter throw/narrower gates. Truck transmissions (ZF) really don't shift quickly.

Another thing to consider is the wider radios of the ZF which won't be very compatible with a high strung small block.

Just my 0.02 USD worth.

Ray

Jul 11, 2010 | 08:29 PM

Bulldawg1081

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From: Tulia, Texas

where would i find a tremec or a richmond tranny?...a mustang maybe?...how well would one of those trannys work for a truck? and what all would it take to swap it out?...thankyou for your reply

Jul 11, 2010 | 10:50 PM

rla2005

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From: Kentucky

Good write up here on a 5-speed swap in a Gen1 Lightning:5-speed Conversion Complete (long...lots of pics)

Jul 12, 2010 | 01:49 AM

raystankewitz

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From: Central Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulldawg1081

where would i find a tremec or a richmond tranny?...a mustang maybe?...how well would one of those trannys work for a truck? and what all would it take to swap it out?...thankyou for your reply

Tremecs are found in Mustangs and they're probably the ticket for light street racing. The ratios are great for street fighting but not so good for using your truck as a truck, i.e. pulling a heavy load, etc. there are trade-offs you have to be willing to accept. Truck or race-truck?

A Richmond, however is a different animal. No overdrive in it as 5th is 1:1. Richmond Gear sells 'em. A real race transmission. Big $$$.

Read the write-up on swapping in a Tremec. Since your truck is a stick already, you're half-way there.

Hope this clears things up.

Ray, the old warhorse

Jul 12, 2010 | 11:53 PM

Bulldawg1081

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From: Tulia, Texas

thankyou rla2005 and ray for your good advice...i guess ill just go with a zf 42 or 47 because i plan on pulling a travel trailer on occasion..what all does it take to do a zf swap? or does it just bolt right in?...i know ill have to have the windsor/300 I6 bellhousing but is all the linkage the same? cross member?...sorry for all the questions guys i just want cover every angle before i dive head first into this and screw up ....and also is there anything i can do to that mazda transmission to beef it up? thankyou in advance...

johnny