Best Manual in a 72 Maverick 302

Discussion in 'Transmissions' started by tmcbride415, Jul 14, 2020.

  1. tmcbride415

    tmcbride415 Member

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    I have been building a 302 that should be pushing nearly 400hp to the wheels and maybe 350-380 ft/lbs for my ‘72 maverick and I want a manual swap. Currently I’m running a C4 and it just doesn’t cut it for me, I’ve been looking at T5 swaps however they are notoriously weak and I’m not sure if I want to spend the money to get a built T5 that can handle the power. Are there any other options out there? Do T56 transmissions fit with a different bellhousing? I’m open to any 5 speed or 6 speed that can handle at least 400 ft/lbs and will fit in the Maverick trans tunnel with minimal chopping.
     
  2. Shorty

    Shorty Member

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    '72 Maverick, 347 c.i., w/ dual quads, TKO 600 5-speed transmission, back halved w/ 4-link, '16 F150, 5.0 Coyotte, regular cab, shortbed, lowered 3/5 & 1-owner '79 Trans Am.
    I have a TKO-600 5-speed in my car and really like it. I have not gotten all of the break-in miles on it yet but enjoying it so far. It fed by a Blueprint Engines 347 with dual quads and feeding 4.11 Trak Loc differential.

    Bruce
     
  3. tmcbride415

    tmcbride415 Member

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    I was just looking at the TKO-500 or 600, how easy was the installation of the 600? How much of the trans tunnel did you have to cut? I’m not afraid of a little cutting but I don’t want to chop it all out if I don’t have to
     
  4. Shorty

    Shorty Member

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    We did have to cut a fair amount off the top and I replaced it with sheet metal. I modified the factory transmission cross member but 71Gold, another member here, makes a mount that reportedly works. I don't have experience with his cross member. When cutting we just put it in the tunnel and marked where it had to be trimmed. To me, it was worth the work for the transmission. In this picture the bare sheet metal is from previous surgery to install the Super Shifter linkage on the Top Loader I was running and the opening is longer than necessary for this transmission. The TKO-600 replaced the Top Loader in exactly in length but I did have to get a different clutch disc & slip yoke because of different splines on either end of the transmission DSCF9113.JPG

    Bruce
     
  5. tmcbride415

    tmcbride415 Member

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    That is a lot of metal cut off but it isn’t TOOO bad, how much do you estimate it cost all said and done? And how does the 3.80 rear gearing feel on the highway with the TKO overdrive? Those are the same gears I was thinking about
     
  6. Shorty

    Shorty Member

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    The transmission, TRETCET5008, which has a 26 spline input and a 31 spline output cost me $2,450.00. The new 11" clutch disc was $189.99 so with Indiana sales tax, shipping & handling it was $2,876.91. I didn't keep the receipt for the sheet metal but it was minimal. Also in my case I needed the new slip yoke and don't have that receipt handy either.
    My calculated data as well as driving data backup shows that with the 4.11:1 gears and the 28" tires we're making room for now (back halving) 60 mph will be at 1,828 rpm, 70 mph at 2,133 rpm & 80 mph will be at 2,438 rpm. My new effective differential gear ratio will be 3.63:1. I can live with this as I won't be traveling those speeds that often.

    Bruce
     
  7. tmcbride415

    tmcbride415 Member

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    A TKO600 with 3.80 rear gears seems to be a decent setup, my install would be closer to $5,000 however I bet because I’d need an entire clutch setup including a petal box, master cylinder, flywheel etc. thank you for your input I really appreciate it
     
  8. RMiller

    RMiller My name is Rick

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    I did an early TKO into mine and did some floor surgery as well I also built my own cross member which I copied from the style they sell for the 64-66 Mustangs. On the tunnel I scalped the top where I thought I need to then took some more. I have pictures in the garage section, here is a link. http://mmb.maverick.to/threads/72-maverick.120728/ I took an angle measurement off the engine while sitting on factory mounts with the C4 in place so I could keep the same angles for the engine/transmission.
     
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  9. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

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    Don't those trans have a .68 ratio 5th gear?

    That'd calculate a 4.11 ratio as final equaling 2.79 . Or a great highway gear...
     
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  10. Shorty

    Shorty Member

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    I might have done my math wrong - was not my strong suit. Tom, show me your formula please so I can understand it. I found this one: Old Tire Diameter divided by New Tire Diameter x Current Axle Ratio = New Effective Ratio. I drove the car to 60 mph (per my Garmin) and the tach indicated just over 2,000 rpm on the old smaller diameter tires. The soon-to-be tires are 29.0" dia x 15" x 15" which are 3.4" larger than the old tires.

    Thanks,
    Bruce
     
  11. Powerband

    Powerband Member

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    The TKO needs a lot of room but at least has some installation history . T5 needs a little less room and a 'built' T5 should be enough for street car with modest gearing.

    [​IMG] . [​IMG] .. [​IMG] . [​IMG].[​IMG].[​IMG] . [​IMG] . [​IMG] . [​IMG] . [​IMG] . [​IMG] .

    have fun
     
  12. BBMS18

    BBMS18 Member

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    Convert your auto pedal to a cable operated clutch.
    http://mmb.maverick.to/threads/t5-cable-operated-clutch-pedal-conversion.118710/
     
  13. RMiller

    RMiller My name is Rick

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  14. RMiller

    RMiller My name is Rick

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    Looks like it is, maybe the 4.11 will get the nod.
     
  15. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

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    I've always considered tire size secondary, though using a 24" tire in place of 26" will make 3.73 more like 4:10. I used to do just that on my T-Bird when I was racing.

    Figuring O/D ratio is easy... Multiply ratio, say 3.70 X .68 = 2.51. With a stockish engine a good combo but if you have a rumpy cam, engine may not make enough vac to hold power valve closed at cruise. This is where figuring revolutions per mile would dictate tire size. Rick's calculator link takes out all the guesswork.
     

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