AOD Vs T-5 (need some help)

tireburner163 · 12-23-2001, 10:51 AM

Ok here's the situation. I'm converting my car to a 302 and I have a 1976 302 that I'm rebuilding. This is where the problem starts I need a transmisson to put behind my motor. Here are my options:

1) A 1984 AOD. Probably close to 180,000 miles on it, so it will need a rebuild. How much does getting a AOD rebuild at a shop cost on average. I would add a stall and shift kit to the trans. BTW the cost of the trans is $50 bucks

2) A 1984 T-5 and all the stuff needed to swap it over for $275 bucks. It has about 150,000 miles on it. I also has a short throw handle. It works now, BUT it will probalby need a rebuild in a while. About how much does it cost on average to rebuild a T-5

fiveohpatrol · 12-23-2001, 02:47 PM

well after driving my car as an AOD for over 2 years then swapping the T-5 in, I would NEVER own another daily driver auto.
Maybe if I eventually own a 9 or 10 second car, then it'll have a lentech or a built C4

So after reading that you gotta know I'mgonna reccomend going the T-5 route. You can pick up a rebuild kit from D&D for about $150 or a more complete kit from Hanlon for a little over $200.
Then if you gonna have a pro do it for you then I'd say you'd pay another $250-350 or so to have it done.

what did the T-5 come out of? I don't think 84 mustangs came with T-5's, i thought they were 4speed manuals, maybe im wrong though

As far as the AOD, I had mine rebuilt by a small shop in town for under $400 (parts/labor/custom shift kit made by him) The tranny held up great until I swapped in the T-5. The AOD was still going very strong, even after a BUNCH of 1-d-1 shifts and alot of track time.

avbcon12 · 12-23-2001, 04:20 PM

i have heard that the earlier t-5's dont handle the torque compared to the later models. so if you are going to use it for a drag car, i would look into another solution.
just my opinion......

adam

Unit 5302 · 12-23-2001, 05:29 PM

Neither is the answer. A good AOD rebuild, or T-5 rebuild will approach the cost of a better new one. Without the risk of getting a crappy rebuild, the new tranny is a much better deal.

The 1983-1984 T-5 is not "world class." Although the 1983-1984 T-5 was still rated at 265lb/ft holding capacity just like the 1985-1989 units, they didn't have the upgraded syncronizers, and they had poor 2.95:1 1st gear ratios. (Actually, the ratio's aren't so bad when used with some low gearing, like 3.73's or shorter. If you get a T-5, get a 1990 or newer if you're looking used, or just get a z spec from D&D performance or somewhere else. Do NOT trust a rebuilder with a T-5. I've seen horror story after horror story of bad rebuilds on the T-5.

Good luck!

12-23-2001, 10:51 AM	#1
tireburner163 It's a lot like a race car Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Meridian, MS Posts: 4,130	AOD Vs T-5 (need some help) Ok here's the situation. I'm converting my car to a 302 and I have a 1976 302 that I'm rebuilding. This is where the problem starts I need a transmisson to put behind my motor. Here are my options: 1) A 1984 AOD. Probably close to 180,000 miles on it, so it will need a rebuild. How much does getting a AOD rebuild at a shop cost on average. I would add a stall and shift kit to the trans. BTW the cost of the trans is $50 bucks 2) A 1984 T-5 and all the stuff needed to swap it over for $275 bucks. It has about 150,000 miles on it. I also has a short throw handle. It works now, BUT it will probalby need a rebuild in a while. About how much does it cost on average to rebuild a T-5 __________________ 1987 Buick T-type 1998 HD Electra Elide

12-23-2001, 02:47 PM	#2
fiveohpatrol I'd rather be basketweaving Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,551	well after driving my car as an AOD for over 2 years then swapping the T-5 in, I would NEVER own another daily driver auto. Maybe if I eventually own a 9 or 10 second car, then it'll have a lentech or a built C4 So after reading that you gotta know I'mgonna reccomend going the T-5 route. You can pick up a rebuild kit from D&D for about $150 or a more complete kit from Hanlon for a little over $200. Then if you gonna have a pro do it for you then I'd say you'd pay another $250-350 or so to have it done. what did the T-5 come out of? I don't think 84 mustangs came with T-5's, i thought they were 4speed manuals, maybe im wrong though As far as the AOD, I had mine rebuilt by a small shop in town for under $400 (parts/labor/custom shift kit made by him) The tranny held up great until I swapped in the T-5. The AOD was still going very strong, even after a BUNCH of 1-d-1 shifts and alot of track time. __________________ NMRA O/C 9516 NA pumpgas stickshift 347 10.65@125.6, 6.73@100, 1.41 60ft

12-23-2001, 04:20 PM	#3
avbcon12 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: West Bloomfield, MI Posts: 391	i have heard that the earlier t-5's dont handle the torque compared to the later models. so if you are going to use it for a drag car, i would look into another solution. just my opinion...... adam

12-23-2001, 05:29 PM	#4
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	Neither is the answer. A good AOD rebuild, or T-5 rebuild will approach the cost of a better new one. Without the risk of getting a crappy rebuild, the new tranny is a much better deal. The 1983-1984 T-5 is not "world class." Although the 1983-1984 T-5 was still rated at 265lb/ft holding capacity just like the 1985-1989 units, they didn't have the upgraded syncronizers, and they had poor 2.95:1 1st gear ratios. (Actually, the ratio's aren't so bad when used with some low gearing, like 3.73's or shorter. If you get a T-5, get a 1990 or newer if you're looking used, or just get a z spec from D&D performance or somewhere else. Do NOT trust a rebuilder with a T-5. I've seen horror story after horror story of bad rebuilds on the T-5. Good luck!