Suggestions on what I should swap the T5 for?

[dysfunction8]

Alright, car is just a bolt on '87 Mustang GT with some GT40P's and a T5. I just started getting into drag racing, and the 3rd gear synchro sounds like it's on it's way out again. This is also the 2nd T5 I've put in the car. I was planning on swapping in a built auto sometime in the not so near future with a big block, but it doesn't look like it's gonna let me wait that long. What would be an affordable swap that can be street driven all over the place and raced about once or twice a month? It's gonna be a bit of a wait til I can buy parts, so for now it's all just research. I was looking at either an AOD or a C4. Car doesn't see much highway use, so OD isn't necessary. I'm also currently running 4.10's out back. Thanks in advance.

[SilverFox]

My first impression is a nice stock 98+ 4R70W with a MVB, done.
But if you are not big into OD, a C4 would be great, plus when you get the BBF, you can just swap a BBF bell on and go again without throwing the trans away.

[dysfunction8]

thanks for the reply. That's more the direction I was leaning towards, as most of what I drive everyday is a max of 55mph. it'll be a bit rough with the 4.10's for a bit, but it'll get taller gears when (more like if) I get a big block. Is daily driving with a manual vb rough on the trans at all? I don't imagine it would be so long as I shifted it nice n low in the rpm range, and saved the high rev's for the track. I obviously wouldn't need anything really "built" for a while, as I'm sure my little 302 doesn't put more than 230-240 down currently.

[SilverFox]

oh damn, your options are wide open then.
MVB in a daily is not as bad as you would think!

[dysfunction8]

alright, haven't been on here in a while....the 302 is out the door, and a nicely built 351C 4v is on it's way in (its a pretty long story about how this all started lol)......and once again, I'm back to the trans question....I haven't really been able to find anything definitive, so I thought I'd ask it here....about how much torque are the 4R70W's good for? I only have a rough estimate on what I'll be making (guessing 450+- at the crank) and I'll need something that'll hold up without having too much work go into it right off the bat (other than a MVB)......am I shooting at the moon considering the 4R70W or is that a realistic expectation?

[SilverFox]

The 4R is a great option...say a 98+ unit with a MVB, might hold rather well for a long time given you are NA power.
Even then, if it dies, it won;t take too much upgrades to keep it going.
03+ low mile core even better.....if you can find one with 2 bolt starter for SBF

[Michael Hinchley]

ah, just the answer I too was looking for on what year to seek out. What vehicles 03+ come with 2 bolt started and accecpt a speedo gear?

I know from another thread here:
If you are 302/351 you need 2 bolt starter 4R core/case from 5.0 Explorer, 4.2L truck, or 3.8L stang.
01+ is iffy if they have speedo splines, so inspect first. You need them.


Just wondering if more clarification is possible on make/models since searching for trans on the net here.

[dysfunction8]

The 4R is a great option...say a 98+ unit with a MVB, might hold rather well for a long time given you are NA power.
Even then, if it dies, it won;t take too much upgrades to keep it going.
03+ low mile core even better.....if you can find one with 2 bolt starter for SBF

awesome! Now I just need to figure out how much a good torque converter will run me, and what stall I need.....I was originally thinking about a toploader, as I see good cores come up from time to time around here for cheap, but they're getting harder to find, and I figure I'd have better luck finding the auto, not to mention being more consistent......is there anyone that has a MVB with a trans brake for a 4R yet?

[DirtyD0g]

The converter question becomes one of how fast do you want to go and do you want driveability or transbrake hard hitting?
Alan

[dysfunction8]

all I need for the street is liveable (I know it isn't going to be a smooth driving high dollar car).....already have double adjustable lower control arms, eibach drag springs, 50/50's out back, and 90/10's up front, and soon I'm going to install relocated adjustable uppers, so comfort is already compromised lol.....it will be street driven frequently, and taken to the track about 1-2 times a month.....I'm still trying to learn all this torque converter stuff to even see if I should go the auto route (although it is looking really appealing).....is it true that most of the trans brakes for the 4R end up breaking the trans, or has someone been able to work around this?

[DirtyD0g]

My experience with 4r's and transbrakes are as follows, slow release, destructive to the converter clutch and short lived unless ran non lockup. I hope for a work around and hear the FB setup is working better but until I see it with my own eyes I cannot suggest it.
Alan

[dysfunction8]

damn.....oh well, a trans brake would've been nice, but I'm not going to be doing any serious bracket racing once this gets put together, so I can foot brake it.