[Old Guy with 87 GT]

ive been beating up on my t-5 for over a year and 40,000 miles and it still works fine

always use the clutch when shifting .....speed shifting just isn't worth the damage it causes ........if done properly you can shift allmost just as fast ,using the clutch without forcing it into gear .................takes lots of practice

when dropping down gears .......give the gas a quick blip ,raise rpms to sencronize the gears ,goes right in the lower gear

never force it in gear ........if your shifting properly it'll jump right in gear without using any muscle

my t-5 seems to like 5,600 rpm when going from first to second and going from second to third .........it'll shift at redline but it just seems to shift easier and smoother at that rpm ........after third i usually shift at redline

an adjustable clutch cable seemed to help mine .....the old self adjusting cable set up didn't seem to disengage the clutch as well ,making it tougher on the trans to shift

well good luck