Auto to Manual tranny

[Mustangus]

hi,
Does anyone know whether this would fit my 390 if I bought the right bellhousing etc and whether  it would be any good on it
cheers
Angus

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-Mustang-Gear-Box-V8-4-Speed_W0QQitemZ280002270692QQihZ018QQcategoryZ21654QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-Mustang-Gear-Box-V8-4-Speed_W0QQitemZ280002270692QQihZ018QQcategoryZ21654QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[55starchief]

Why go with a 4 speed? would think a T5 or T56 would be a better upgrade from an auto box

[Jamieg285]

Sorry, I know nothing about Fords

[philoldsmobile]

i reckon a T5 would last about 3 micro seconds behind a 390 - even in the 350 thirdgen is wasn't available because of its weakness...

T56 would probably be fine though, or a tremec 5 speed..

dont think i'd bother with a 4 speed myself, the top loader is a nasty nasty rough crunchy box, and from all accounts not at all nice to use..

as a basic assumption, and manual yank pre mid 90's is a horrible horrible thing...

[Mustangus]

Quoting: 55starchief

Why go with a 4 speed? would think a T5 or T56 would be a better upgrade from an auto box

Yeh, I've been looking at swapping to a t5 for a while but just saw this and thought the money saved could go elswhere if it would work. Also I quite like the idea of a 4 spd, dunno why, just kinda retro or something

[Mustangus]

right, so all round bit of a bad idea then. Thanks for the help. I'd better go off and do some more research into the t56's then. Cheers

[Roadkill]

Don't go T5 !!!  Baaaad box !

Why are you going manual, BTW ?

A manual valve body, from what I understand is a simple-ish bolt-on a Auto box . . .

[philoldsmobile]

i wouldn't say simple........

remove the valve body and you get springs and balls pinging all over the place, done it once, wouldn't want to again...

not that expensive for a tranny shop though, but remember, manual shift does nothing for power, just gives quicker driver controled shifts, i believe it is also needed for a trans brake, but may be wrong there.......

[55starchief]

If i was going to a manual trans it would have to be a tremec tko-500 or tko-600 the last number dictates its power rating in ftlbs

***edit***

Both of the above are round the $1600-$1900 depending on ratios

[philoldsmobile]

yeah, i'd probably go tremec too..

none of the borg warner trans are really for anything more than stock cars, by the time you've prated them, you could have just bought a beefier tranny to start with

[Roadkill]

Quoting: philoldsmobile

just gives quicker driver controled shifts

I was guessing this was the reasoning . . . .

[philoldsmobile]

for street / strip use, a shift kit, adjustable modulator and a ratchet shifter is pretty much all you really need untill you make more substantial power, assuming the tranny is in good condition already..

[Mustangus]

Quoting: Roadkill

Why are you going manual

I just prefer driving manual cars, its not really a perferomance thing as I had a look at the B&M racket shifters as I thought the best thing to do might be to put one of them on my c6 and it would give a bit of a manual style feel but I would reaaly prefer to actually go manual.

The boxes I had seen in the Uk were these ones
http://www.americanv8engines.co.uk/shop/index.php?cPath=151&osCsid=f1db631e2de7248a7dcc320489e8714f\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.americanv8engines.co.uk/shop/index.php?cPath=151&osCsid=f1db631e2de7248a7dcc320489e8714f
dunno if anyones used the company and whether they are any good.

Also I'll have to put in a clutch and choose either cable or hydalic. As I've got stock headers I might go cable.

Thanks for all your help, guess as usual the expensive way is the right way  ...

[Roadkill]

Quoting: Mustangus

I just prefer driving manual cars

As do I.

I was just thinking Valve body is alot simplier then a complete gearbox plus all the headaches that go with the linkages / fitting pedals / cables etc . . .

[philoldsmobile]

not to mention that yank manuals, especialy the older ones lead to heavy clutches, and notchy clunky slow shifts..

depends what you are used to, if you are used to modern super slick, or the 60's type rifle bolt precise english ford 4 speeds, you might be bitterly dissapointed.

if you like the nasty sticky heavy shift of older yank boes, then go for it, but be prepaired for a pretty laborious and difficult shift.

[Goatman]

Quoting: 55starchief

If i was going to a manual trans it would have to be a tremec tko-500 or tko-600 the last number dictates its power rating in ftlbs

That's what I would do if I were starting from scratch. Philoldsmobile is right about the early manuals in American cars. A good shifter will help with some of the "klunkyness", but with the old manual clutches you will definitely give your left leg a workout. Ford top loader 4 speeds were virtually indestructable, but were pretty raw and noisy.

[Mustangus]

Quoting: Goatman

That's what I would do if I were starting from scratch. Philoldsmobile is right about the early manuals in American cars. A good shifter will help with some of the "klunkyness", but with the old manual clutches you will definitely give your left leg a workout. Ford top loader 4 speeds were virtually indestructable, but were pretty raw and noisy.

Thanks, when I do it I will go with a tk500 or 600 but for the time being its on hold as I have just had to order 2k $ worth of parts from NPD and am feeling REALLY skint! Still got an MSD 6AL to buy to...

[Goatman]

What year Mustang? My first car was a 1966 Ford F100 with a 390 2V, and 3 speed manual. I eventually went with a top loader 4 speed. Great engine. Lots of torque.