havnt been on here in a while lol
Reply #4 –
And to add to what Thunder Chicken posted...I'd not even bother with an HO engine. Grab yourself an Explorer 5.0, and you'll already have the heads and intake that are better than HO stuff. You'll still needs the front stuff, pullies, alternator, and brackets, and I could probably help with that...I'm stumbling around over the stuff as it is.
Throw in a distributor, an HO or an alphabet cam, and you're already at more power than a stock HO, more than enough to trash ANY stock T5 if you do 1500 RPM clutch drops and shiznit.
If you're gonna beat on your car like it's a cheating girlfriend, you' better start your build with a purpose built T5. Hell, stock HO engines are more than capable of tearing up a T5, let alone in a heavier car, with more gear, and likely larger, stickier tires.
PS, I've got a 2.3 T5 in my Mustang, with a swapped in 3.55 rear...1st gear is more useless than ice cubes in hell. You'll want that V8 version, though if all you is the 2.3 unit, it will work.
There's parts you can buy to strengthen them, and if you can walk and chew gum, they're somewhat easy to work on. Patience and good tools are your friends. I'm not patient, but i have spent some time with my hands in manual transmissions, from T-176's in Jeeps, up to T5's and the M5 1/2 ton truck trans. Go slow, keep stuff clean, and make sure you have a printout of torque specs...I keep a torque spec chart in my toolbox in a notebook. Invaluable. I use it for everything from spark plugs to crank mains.
Although obviously a little less for bottom end work.