Classic Mustangs List Archive

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: David J Harr (email redacted)

As a point of information for the radical nutsos out there, I was
poking around my Mustang mags and calling random vendors who had
products that I thought looked interesting to get their information
for inclusion in my "Things I want to have some day on my 'Stang"
notebook, when I came across a company in Washington that has a
kit that will bolt in a 400 ft-lbs of torque rated Tremec TR3550
5-speed (standard transmission on 94-96 Cobras) into an early
Mustang. These kits are available for 64-66 and 67-70 Mustangs.
For only a couple of hundred dollars more, thay also sell the
same kit with the Tremec TKO, which is an upgraded version that
handles 15% greater torque, or close to 500 ft-lbs. The really
attractive thing about these transmissions (for me, anyway,
because I use my car as a daily driver) is the factg that they
have approximately the same ratios as a toploader in the bottom
four gears, and the overdrive has a ratio of 0.63:1. This means
(doing a little bit of math) that if I get an average mileage of
17 mpg on the highway with my 1:1 top gear and a rear axle ratio
of 3.0:1, then if I do a swap to a 3.5:1 rear end to quicken up
my launches and drop in the Tremec, my RPMs in top gear at 60mph
will drop from 3000 RPM to 2200 RPM. If I go to a 3.7:1 rear axle,
the RPMs will drop from 3000 RPM to 2350 RPM. _AND_ if I go
completely nuts and add a 4.11:1 rear axle ratio, I have still not
lost anything, because my the RPMs still drop from 3000 RPM to
2600 RPM. This is a good thing as it increases mileage and at the
same time reduces wear and tear on the engine at highway speeds**.

Anyway, since some folks didn't appreciate my last posting of
an interesting vendor I found, if you are interested, drop me a
line via email and I will give you all the gory details.


David


*Any reduction in wear and tear on the engine will of course
have to be bealanced by the increase in wear and tear that
comes from indulgence in the time-honored practice of burning
out at the lights, which these gear changes do nothing to
discourage. :-)





David J Harr
Entropy Introduction Engineer
(email redacted)


Tick: Well guys, we've got to have a plan of attack.
Paul the Samurai: One with lots of violence and flashing blades!
Tick: Right! Yes! What about it, Arthur?
Arthur: A plan? Hmmm...it seems like we have exactly what the
ninja want...all we should have to do is wait for them to
come to us.
Tick: Wait? That doesn't sound very exciting.
Paul: It doesn't seem violent at all! We want to swim in the hot,
flowing river of our foes' blood!
Tick: Yeah!
Arthur: Think about this...we don't want to sacrifice our only
advantage, just to go on a killing spree!
Tick and Paul: We _DON'T_???!!!

-- "The Tick" #5 - "Early Morning Of A Million Zillion Ninjas"

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Eugene Y C Chu (email redacted)

Just an FYI, the Tremec is in fact built to the specs of the old
toploader, but with a cast aluminum (instead of iron) case, and with a
5th gear (OD in a couple of ratios) added. This is why its lower 4
ratios are so close to the old toploaders. Also, they've moved the
shift linkages internal to the case like the BW T5 so now the linkages
are well lubed and protected from the elements.

The concept is excellent; making use of the throw opposite the reverse
gear on the third shift rail (which would otherwise be wasted) to engage
the OD gear (like all other 5 speeds). However, I've heard mixed
reviews about the durability and smoothness (or lack of) of the Tremec
transmissions.

eyc

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Eric F. Riggert (email redacted)

<David Harr wrote...>
> As a point of information for the radical nutsos out there, I was
> poking around my Mustang mags and calling random vendors who had
> products that I thought looked interesting to get their information
> for inclusion in my "Things I want to have some day on my 'Stang"
> notebook, when I came across a company in Washington that has a
> kit that will bolt in a 400 ft-lbs of torque rated Tremec TR3550
> 5-speed (standard transmission on 94-96 Cobras) into an early
> Mustang. These kits are available for 64-66 and 67-70 Mustangs.
<remainder snipped>

David,

This sounds interesting - an option for folks wanting an overdrive but
having too much power for a late model BW T-5. (Unfortunately, I'm not
in that group - yet).

But I wanted to point out that the 93-95 Cobras came with the same T-5
as a GT, but beefed up slightly (tapered roller bearing instead of a
needle bearing, steel input shaft retainer instead of aluminum which
galls under hard use, making shifting an adventure). Starting in '93,
all T-5's got phosphate coated gears to make them a bit stronger. In
'94/'95, the tranny dimensions around the input shaft got 5/8" longer
due to a slight chassis change on the new body style (get the right
bellhousing and you're OK). In '94/'95, the Cobras got an upgraded 3rd
gear with whiney/noisy (but stronger) straight cut teeth.

In '95, the Cobra R **MAY** have gotten a Tremec. Don't know what the
'93 Cobra R's got.

The '96+ Mustangs (Cobra or not) all got the all new, supposedly
stronger T-45 5 speed. The early units have a lot of failures behind
the early '96 Cobras (fixed under warranty to my knowledge). Later
units have largely undocumented internal changes to make them stronger,
but with no change in external appearance or part number that I've heard
of...

This doesn't change the fact that putting a Tremec in an Early Mustang
would be a blast...

Regards,
Eric Riggert, '66 Mustang GT, '88 LX 5.0, '94 Cobra, SCOASCC, SMA
(email redacted)

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: David J Harr (email redacted)

<SNIP>
>
>But I wanted to point out that the 93-95 Cobras came with the same T-5
>as a GT, but beefed up slightly (tapered roller bearing instead of a
>needle bearing, steel input shaft retainer instead of aluminum which
>galls under hard use, making shifting an adventure). Starting in '93,
>all T-5's got phosphate coated gears to make them a bit stronger. In
>'94/'95, the tranny dimensions around the input shaft got 5/8" longer
>due to a slight chassis change on the new body style (get the right
>bellhousing and you're OK). In '94/'95, the Cobras got an upgraded 3rd
>gear with whiney/noisy (but stronger) straight cut teeth.
>
>In '95, the Cobra R **MAY** have gotten a Tremec. Don't know what the
>'93 Cobra R's got.
>
<SNIP>
>
>This doesn't change the fact that putting a Tremec in an Early Mustang
>would be a blast...
>
>Regards,
>Eric Riggert, '66 Mustang GT, '88 LX 5.0, '94 Cobra, SCOASCC, SMA
>(email redacted)

My mistake. The Tremec came in the '95 5.8L Cobra Rs. Sorry for the
confusion.


David



David J Harr
Troublemaker at Large
(email redacted)


ACHTUNG!!!

Das machine is nicht fur gefingerpoken und mittengrabben. Ist easy
schnappen der springenwerk, blowenfusen und corkenpoppen mit
spitzensparken. Ist nicht fur gewerken by das dummkopfen. Das
rubbernecken sightseeren keepen hands in das pockets. Relaxen und
vatch das blinkenlights!!!

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: DeshazerVC (email redacted)

David,

Sorry to send this through the list, but I couldn't get
email to go through to you.

I'm familiar witht the Tremec transmissions, but would
still like any details you have on price and/or installation
info.

TIA

Vince

On Mar 20, 1:30pm, David J Harr wrote:
> As a point of information for the radical nutsos out there, I was
> poking around my Mustang mags and calling random vendors who had
> products that I thought looked interesting to get their information
> for inclusion in my "Things I want to have some day on my 'Stang"
> notebook, when I came across a company in Washington that has a
> kit that will bolt in a 400 ft-lbs of torque rated Tremec TR3550
> 5-speed (standard transmission on 94-96 Cobras) into an early
> Mustang. These kits are available for 64-66 and 67-70 Mustangs.
> For only a couple of hundred dollars more, thay also sell the
> same kit with the Tremec TKO, which is an upgraded version that
> handles 15% greater torque, or close to 500 ft-lbs. The really
> attractive thing about these transmissions (for me, anyway,
> because I use my car as a daily driver) is the factg that they
> have approximately the same ratios as a toploader in the bottom
> four gears, and the overdrive has a ratio of 0.63:1. This means
> (doing a little bit of math) that if I get an average mileage of
> 17 mpg on the highway with my 1:1 top gear and a rear axle ratio