1984 T-5. Are they any good???
 

Ok I'm droping in a 302 next year and I was originaly going to go with a AOD with a 2800 stall and a shift kit. But I found a 1984 T-5 and I was thinking about using it instead. Are these transmissions any good? Aren't the torque rating different than later T-5's? Can I rebuild it to later specs?

So here are my options. A 1984 AOD with unknown miles(probably more that 100,000) with a shift kit and a 2800 stall or a 1984 T-5. Which do you guys think would be bettter.

Thanks
Josh, aka the tireburner

Anyone???

The 1983-1984 Borg Warner T-5 had the same 265lb/ft torque load rating as the 1985-1989; however the first gear ratio was taller. 2.95:1 vs 3.35:1. That will hurt you if you do not have gears. Internally, the 1983-1984 T-5's are NOT world class. As such they have the weaker syncros, gears, and needle bearing input shaft setup. The reason the torqueload rating was the same was strictly from the taller 1st gear ratio. In 1985 the "World Class" T-5 came out. From 1985-1989 it featured the lower 3.35:1 1st gear ratio for improved acceleration with the tall gearing from the factory, and a better set of syncros to take the torqueload. The preferable T-5's are 1990 and later. They had at least 300lb/ft ratings after that point in the 5.0L HO cars when the gears were made of a stonger alloy. They retained the 3.35:1 1st gear. The Cobra T-5 got a tapered roller bearing and phospate coated gears, it was rated at 310 or 315lb/ft. The Z spec is rated at 330lb/ft. It's got the tapered roller bearing, good gears and syncros, and the stronger 2.95:1 1st gear. I hope that helps.

unit, what do you think i should do with my transmission? i have and 87 with a 5 speed with the mods listed below, i havent gotten around to taking it to the track yet, so i dont know how it will hold up, all i do in my car is drive to work and school a few times a week, ill admit i do drive it pretty hard sometimes, my transmission whines while driving in 1 2 and a little in 3rd and it grings slightly shifting into 3rd, and i dont know if this is normal, i doubt it, but when i first start it up in the morning, if i try to shift somewhat quick it gringd real bad, but after a mile or so it gets better, so i figured it was time for a rebuild, but now im thinking i should just get a new one, what do you think?

I have one in my 87 and it has held up great! I got it from the junk yard I used to work at. It had 180,000 on it and I needed a tranny till I got some money so I put that one it and its still holding up after about 80 passes at the track, with slicks. I have 4.10's, so the 2.95 first is really nice. I would go ahead and give it a shot, I have had nothing but good luck with mine, and don't see it going out and time soon.

Well, you do have some mods, so Mr 5.0's suggestion of Tremec does, as usual ;), have merit. I would never have a T-5 rebuilt. It's simply not cost effective, and it's too hard to find a good shop to do it. Most T-5 rebuilds are garbage. The shop messes it up, or they don't replace parts that need it. It's also about the same expense as buying one from D&D Performance in MI.

That being said, I think the T-5 is a lot stronger than what it gets credit for. Some people have really bad luck with them (as do the Tremec 3550 owners), and some have really good luck. Skyman is running 12's with ET's and pulling 1.6's/1.7's with his stock "weak" 1989 T-5. Some people complain about the T-5's 2.95:1 ratio in the Z spec, but having a tall 1st gear ratio allows you to use 1st gear even with lower (higher numerically) gearing, and it keeps the ratios closer between shifts.

A new Z spec T-5 is rated at 330ft/lbs, and it's a very nice tranny. I have one in my car (which is not significantly modded) and I couldn't be more pleased with shift quality. A Z spec will set you back about $1100 to your door. A Tremec will put a bigger dent in your wallet because of bell housing, cross member, and other expenses. If you do get a Tremec it's especially important to get a good aftermarket shifter like the Pro 5.0 if you want to shift with one hand, not two. The stock shifting charachteristics are horrible with the Tremec. I would also recommend a quality shifter on the T-5 as well. Missing gears is hard on your tranny, and hyper extending the shift forks with the stock setup is also damaging.

Just my opinions, though.

where would i get a z spec, and will it work with my steeda tri-ax shifter, how about on a tremec, would that be considered a good aftermarket shifter. its not nessesarily the cheapest one on the market, but i really like it

I would recommend D&D Performance in Michigan for the Tremec, or the T-5.

The T-5z is no different from the other T-5's in dimentions or bolting, so your Tri-Ax would bolt right up to it.

I don't know about the Tri Ax for the Tremec, but Steeda makes high quality stuff, I would certainly think their shifter would help the Tremec, but I have heard and seen posts where the Pro 5.0 has helped big time for sure.

http://www.ddperformance.com

That's their website. I've only heard good things about them, and I've had a great experiance with them first hand as well.

thanks a bunch, i really apprieciate it