So i have a 1976 2.3L mated to a "4 speed Hummer" transmission.... and i was trying to figure out the gear ratios of this transmission... or any really information about this transmission in general.
I'm looking to try and squeeze a bit more acceleration speed out of Shelly... 0-60 in about a month is torture when driving around all the nice cars out here in Hawaii. (not to mention terrifying... don't rear end me!)
in short, anyone have any recommendations for a slightly better Transmission? is there a 5spd that will mate up to the 2.3L of 1976?
There is the Ford T5 used in 80s mustangs. The shifter hole has to be moved an inch or two forward if I recall though. If mounted behind a stock Pinto 2.3, it should be bullet proof unless you rev the hell out of it in first or second gear and blow it up. But even then, I would have to bet that the rear axle (assuming it's a 6 3/4") would pop first.
That is such great news! I don't really plan on rev'ing it to high... and yea its the stock rear diff... not sure if I want to swap the rear or the tranny anytime soon, but im just tryin to get my facts straight for when the time comes.
Thanks for the help!!
actually, one more question;
if i were to acquire one of these T5 transmissions from an '80s Mustang, what type of modification would i have to do to have it fir properly in my pinto? (apart from moving the shifter hole up 2-3 inches)
I.E. will i have to do anything to the drive shaft?
how about the cross member? does that require modification?
and does the transmission mate up properly to the 2.3L without any modification to the shaft?
All of the above!!!!!
thats terrible lol
seems like alot of work to have to change everything... hope its worth it..
anyone else have a T5 in a stock 2.3L? are the changes truly that noticeable?
The drop from 1st to 2nd gear in the pinto 4 speed is a KILLER. Thats where your loss of acceleration comes from. If i remember right the 1st gear ratio is about 3.65 and 2nd is 1.97. Thats a 1.68 drop meaning the engine turns 1.68 fewer turns to one turn of the transmission output shaft. That is a BIG acceleration killer.
3rd gear is like 1.37 only a .60 drop and 4th is 1.00 even (direct drive)
A T5 would help alot, the gears are spread out a little more evenly so 2nd gear wont be such a killer.
I haven't done the swap yet but it really shouldn't be too hard. The transmission itself will bolt right up the engine. The correct clutch pressure plate and flywheel are readily available (since this transmission WAS used behind later 2.3s which still use the same block and crank as the 2.3 you have).
It wouldnt be hard to enlarge the shifter hole for the shifter and the speedo cable just has to be relocated from one side to the other. It plugs right in no problems.
The transmission crossmember has to be turned around backwards and the holes in it for the mount need to be elongated a bit. I cant remember the exact application but there is supposed to be a shaft from a mustang that is the correct length and all you have to do is change the rear u-joint to make it mate up to your rear end. A custom made drive shaft from a driveline shop is only about $150 or so last I knew.
The only problem left to solve is the clutch cable. I cant remember what it is that you are supposed to do about it but it wasnt too big of a deal. I am planning to do this swap in one of my three pintos later on this year. Eventually the other one will be a T5 also and the other one is automatic, it will probably get a C4 if anything. Funny thing is that my pinto that has the automatic is faster than the other two which have 4 speeds. And the auto car is the heaviest one and has a rear gear ratio between that of the each of the two 4 speed cars. (3.08 vs 3.00 and 3.55). I think the gear ratios in the auto trans are just that much better. A T5 should be even better than that.
Holy Cow!!! Thank you so much Pintoguy76 for the wealth of knowledge!
it really doesnt seem as big of a project as i had previously thought (still no easy task, but at least feasible!)
Quote from: pintoguy76 on February 12, 2011, 11:34:26 PM
I am planning to do this swap in one of my three pintos later on this year. Eventually the other one will be a T5 also and the other one is automatic, it will probably get a C4 if anything.
Please! i hope you keep a detailed record of the swap for easy reference so that i (because im dumb lol) have a chance at improving my pinto as well!!!
If you are staying under 200 FT LBS of torque on the engine, don't overlook the T-9 five speed IF you run across one first. They came in 80's 2.3L Merkurs. The gears are more evenly spread apart than the T-5 and 1st gear is not as radical. You don't have to cut the trans tunnel forward 1.5 inches and you may not need to change/cut your existing drive shaft. The trans crossmember needs to be turned backwards and maybe re-drilled/slotted. They are basicly a pinto fourspeed box (different gearing) with a fifth speed gear added to the back of the cast iron center section housed in the aluminum tail section. They are about as close to a direct bolt in as you can get for a 2.3L. You can even use your original Pinto 4 speed shift knob if you want to hide it. :surprised:
71HANTO
Jippah - Good luck. The T 5 is a good tranny behind the 2.3. Too bad you are so far away, i've got one bolted to my 2.3 85 TC motor that i am getting ready to take off. It has the bellhousing, flywheel and everything to bolt to yours. Im taking it off and putting a C4 behind it and don't need it now. Kenny
Cheeseliner I see your profile says you are located in Topeka. If that is Topeka kansas then I am only about 3 hours away and would be interested in that T5 you have. I'll send you a message.
ok pintoguy. I got it and sent you one. I got the set up on craigslist (Lawrence ks). Id just use the money for more pinto parts so if you got wheels/tires, high pressure fuel pump, or something Id make you a good deal on it. ITs complete. Bellhousing, pressure plate, clutch etc. Kenny
As 71Hanto said the best swap if you can find one is the T9. It will bolt up to your bell, use all your existing parts no drive shaft modification, cutting the floor pan just the rear trans mount. Simple easy and not as costly. I am running them in 2 of my cars. I run them behind my 2.0 engines. Boy what a difference overdrive on the freeways Ya-Hoo! Look for 1985-1988 Merkur XR4TI.
Paul