What axle gear are you running with your T5’s??

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by BBMS18, Jan 12, 2019.

  1. BBMS18

    BBMS18 Member

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    I’m gathering parts for my Comet project, I have a 5.0 & T5 out of a 94 Mustang GT and I’m also planning a Explorer 8.8 conversion and wondering what axle gear you fellas are running with your T5’s?
    Thanks
    Pat
     
  2. MountainDrre

    MountainDrre Member

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    3.80 here
     
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  3. BBMS18

    BBMS18 Member

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    Does 1st gear seem short? What’s the engine RPM at hiway speed in OD? Also do you know your rear tire hight?
    Thank you for your time
    Pat
     
  4. jackieblue47

    jackieblue47 Member

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  5. groberts101

    groberts101 Member

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    The general rule is usually.. as the cam gets longer.. the gears need to get shorter.

    This puts the engines sweet spot where you spend more time in any particular gear. Short gear/long cam.. long gear/short cam. Either way is more enjoyable to drive since the motor is up on the cam more of the time and less throttle input is needed for more gitty up and go when you want it. Plus, shorter rear gear helps torque multiplication and allows the motor to rpm/come up on the cam and accelerate the car quicker.

    Some times it's just a simple matter of how you drive and what fits your particular powerband tastes. But ideally it's a well thought out coordination of supporting parts that will give the best overall results.
     
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  6. lcrabtree

    lcrabtree Member

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    3.5 in 9 inch, yes 1st was way to low geared so when I had to replace transmission last year I went with a taller 1st gear and it's much better.
     
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  7. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    My T5 came out of a 1991 Mustang GT 5.0 and I believe that has the 3.35 1st gear. I wish it was a bit higher gear as I have little trouble taking off from a stop sign in 2nd. But having the overdrive 5th makes up for that, I guess, in drivability.

    Fun fact - I used the red 21 tooth driven gear with the stock drive gear and my speedometer is dead nuts on as checked with a GPS.
     
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  8. MountainDrre

    MountainDrre Member

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    Doesn’t seem short to me, I would say very comfortable around town and launching. However, my last manual transmission car I owned was a Subaru STI (very very short), so my view of what’s short and long for first gear could be skewed. 70 mph at 2100 rpms if I recall.

    To groberts’ point, in my 347 I run a Comp Cams Extreme Energy .576 Lift Roller Cam #236-HR-14 (2.36 Intake/2.48 Exhaust).

    Nitto NT555R 275/60/15 rear tire which is 27.76” diameter.
     
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  9. Powerband

    Powerband Member

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    ---- 1976 Comet --- 1974 Maverick- - '61 Comet T'Bolt Six ---- 'quite a few projects ...
    I use V8 ( 1 : .68) OD T5's in my cars. The Falcon has OEM 3.50 open rear and Comet has the 3.80 Posi with similar 225/14 TA's (@25").

    The 3.80 rear definitely hits the sweet spot on the built 250's powerband . The 3.80 rear with V8-T5 allows for lower gear take-off power and reasonable Interstate cruise RPM's.

    The 3.50 rear gears allow more 4th gear RPM backroad cruise at legal speeds but 5th OD is less usable until higher speeds and needs downshifting on some hills.

    T5's vary widely in their gearing and torque capacity and it is important to verify . My Falcon's 93 'Cobra' T5 ( #218) has the 3.35 1st gear, 1:.68 OD, and 300FPTQ rating. The Comet aftermarket T5-Z currently sold by major vendors (# 13-52 - 251) is the 2.95 1st gear , 1 : .63 OD, and 330 FPTQ version. The 4 cylinder T5's have very different 1st gear and OD ratios, typically 4 cylinder T5's , typically 1st is 3.97:1 and OD is 1:.79.

    ALL T5's used by Ford after @ 1984 were "World Class" or WC. The Non-World class (NWC) T5's used bronze bushings instead of roller / needle bearings on mainshaft, and use heavy Gear oil instead of ATF for lubrication. the NWC trannys are also very usable for modest power builds but suffer stiff cold start shifting due to the heavier gear oil. NWC's were still used continually in other vehicles by GM. Most don't realize there is probably a T5 in GM Camaro's , Mini-vans and while changing clutch discovered the '95 Isuzu trooper had a 4WD T5 version.

    have fun

    too much T5 fun:
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2019
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  10. z28th1s

    z28th1s MCCI State Rep Coordinator

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    T5 with the 3.35 first gear
    8 inch rear with 4.10 traction lock
    235/60/14 rear tires (25.1")

    1st gear is VERY short with this combo. We just got the car on Friday night. Drove good on the highway on the 80 mile trip home.

    The car doesn't have a tach in it so I don't know the RPM's at 60 MPH. I have a nice old style Sun Super Tach II that will be going on the car very shortly.

    We have already ordered new wheels and tires for the car and will be going to a 255/60/15 tire (27.0") in the rear. This should help give us more first gear and make the car look better.
     
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  11. BBMS18

    BBMS18 Member

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    I don’t want my 1st to be useless as you mentioned, I’m thinking 3:73 (they are always available in my local pick a part) but I have a urge to go with 4:10’s.
    I did stumble across a 4:10 yesterday while picking up some parts for the wife’s car and fighting the urge to bring it home.

    Thanks for the speedo gear info, would you by chance know what color gear is in the trans?
     
  12. BBMS18

    BBMS18 Member

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    Pleas keep us updated after the tach & 27” tire installation.
     
  13. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    I still use 1st plenty so it isn't useless, I just think a 2.95 1st gear would be a better fit for my build. I'm happy with it overall.
    As for the drive gear - I don't recall the color but it was a stock gear, which is 8 tooth for my year T5.
     
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  14. BBMS18

    BBMS18 Member

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    Thanks for all the T5 information, I worked rebuilding manual transmissions for a few years and was aware of the differences but it may very well help others.

    I won’t be pulling my T5 out of the donor car until spring and will investigate it’s ratios then.
     
  15. z28th1s

    z28th1s MCCI State Rep Coordinator

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    Will do.

    New wheels and tires should be here by the end of the week. Might be able to get them and the tach on next weekend. Hopefully the weather will get better so we can drive it. We got snow and ice yesterday and last night.
     
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