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Topic: 1987 Turbo Coupe manual transmission into a 1983 Thunderbird automatic V8? (Read 6077 times) previous topic - next topic

1987 Turbo Coupe manual transmission into a 1983 Thunderbird automatic V8?

First time posting, I have a specific question I need to ask.
I have a 1983 Ford Thunderbird with a V8 automatic and I also have a 1987 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe 5 speed transmission. I also have the pedal assembly from a 1986 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe. If I wanted to convert the 1983 Thunderbird to a manual transmission would these parts all bolt up to the V8? The 1986 is cable clutch and the 1987 transmission is hydraulic but I do have the 1986 bell housing. I want to make it a cable clutch to keep it simple. Also I found this data on another forum:

http://mustangforums.com/forum/5-0l-general-discussion/696778-fox-body-parts-interchange.html
**********Manual**********
T-5 transmissions out of 4cyl mustangs can be used in a 5.0 if you replace your pilot bearing with one of these:
Pilot bushing for a 4cyl. T5 to a 302/351
pilot bushing out of an '84 ranger
CARQUEST: BCA 202 FF
AutoZone: Motormite 14672 1984 Ford Ranger 2.2 diesel
Motormite 14657 SVO Mustang
Motormite 14367 ???
AdvanceAuto: #14665 ?

Is the T5 in the Turbo Coupe different then the 4 cylinder Mustangs? I'm going off the assumption that a lot of the Thunderbird and Mustang parts where fairly similar. Reason for doing this? Not looking to make the 83 a serious performer, just looking for more fun in my morning commute. I want to make sure all these parts will work with each other before attempting to make it work.
Thanks for checking out my post!

1987 Turbo Coupe manual transmission into a 1983 Thunderbird automatic V8?

Reply #1 –
As long as you have the proper 5.0 T5 bell housing and proper flywheel/clutch for the T5 5.0's then, yeah, it will work with the aforementioned pilot bearing.

That 87-88TC T5 is the same one used in the 87-93 2.3NA Mustangs.

Now, it should be mentioned that while it will bolt up, the torque rating of that 2.3 trans is lower than one for a 5.0. Also, the gear ratios are not quite right.  However, seeing as your '83 probably has a 3.08 or some similar rear end ratio, things may balance themselves out for a daily driver.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo

1987 Turbo Coupe manual transmission into a 1983 Thunderbird automatic V8?

Reply #2 –
Ok so different bellhousing, clutch, pilot bearing, and flywheel. Way cheaper then buying a whole different gear box.
Woah just looked up the torque specs for my engine:
http://www.automobile-catalog.com/curve/1983/874955/ford_thunderbird_5_0l_efi_v-8_automatic_overdrive.html

Best I can find, I would check the owners manual if I was home but I'm stuck in Alaska for 3 more weeks. Still, if the V8 has 240 lb-ft that is believable. If this chart I found is right then 240 lb-ft is the max for the 87 box:
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/Detailed/349.shtml

It has to last 3 years until I finish college, so I'll put new fluid in it and cross my fingers!
The gear ratios will probably be a little off. I looked up the gear ratios on All-Data for the TC and compared them to Mustang V8 specs I found on the internet (Couldn't find anything on the Thunderbird AOD):

Turbo Coupe
1st = 4.03:1
2nd = 2.37:1
3rd = 1.49:1
4th = 1:1
5th = 0.86:1
Rev. = 3.76:1

1984-1993 Mustang V8 AOD:
http://www.mustanggt.org/gttranny.htm
1st = 2.40:1
2nd = 1.47:1
3rd = 1.00:1
4th = 0.67:1
Rev. = 2.00:1

So it looks like if I just use first for starting I should be alright.. Unless I want to spin the wheels!

1987 Turbo Coupe manual transmission into a 1983 Thunderbird automatic V8?

Reply #3 –
Wrong #'s for the TC box. The ones you have are for the early 2.3T box.

87-88TC  -- >    3.97    2.34    1.46    1.00    0.79    3.70 (The tag on the trans will tell you for sure if you look HERE

You also read that power chart wrong.Your 83 5.0 TBird had 240ft-lb of torque. They didn't see 300 ft-lb until they went full EFI in '86.

So...your EEC3 CFI 5.0 had the same torque (and less HP) than the '87-88TC.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo

1987 Turbo Coupe manual transmission into a 1983 Thunderbird automatic V8?

Reply #4 –
Get a 3.8 trans from a 94-98 v-6 mustang good for 265/ft lbs, or get a 99-04 which will handle anything a v-8 box will. making the speedo work is a bit harder, but basically bolts in.

i swapped a 03 v-6 trans in my 87 5.0 bird for less then $400 start to finish.

about $150 for trans off craigslist, $100ish for clutch/flywheel kit for a f-150, pedals and some other odd
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

1987 Turbo Coupe manual transmission into a 1983 Thunderbird automatic V8?

Reply #5 –
That setup will work but a T5 is by far one of the weakest 5 speeders out there. If you engine is stock you will be OK. But if you are putting down ponies better move on to a stronger Tranny.

If memory serves me Basically the 4 cylinder has a 17 MM pilot and the V8 has a 19MM. The trannys will be identical otherwise to a degree.
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

1987 Turbo Coupe manual transmission into a 1983 Thunderbird automatic V8?

Reply #6 –
@Chuck W
I saw those TC gear ratios on another site, still there fairly close to the Mustang AOD... Why do I even bother with All-Data ha
No I meant 240 lb-ft in my last post. Sorry I wrote that post pretty late at night. I edited it for clarity.

@Haystack
Thanks for the idea! That V6 T5 fits great for what I am looking for performance and budget wise. I'll compare prices against what I already have

@TOM Renzo
I don't intend to upgrade this car any further then the transmission, at least for a long time.
Thanks for the pilot bearing spec!

Anyways,
It looks like a battle between my current transmission or a V6 Mustang transmission.
Does anyone have the 1983 Thunderbird AOD gear ratios in like a Haynes manual or something? I'm sure the Mustang specs are close, however it would be ideal to know exactly what I am changing. Thanks again for the help guys.

1987 Turbo Coupe manual transmission into a 1983 Thunderbird automatic V8?

Reply #7 –
Don't over-think it. You have parts, and are trying to get the car on the road.

If you can find a V6 trans for cheap (You really can't base decisions on pricing from someone else's CL finds), then it's a "better" option.  One thing to note, the V6 T5's had a longer input shaft than either the 2.3 or the Fox 5.0 version. It's 5/8-3/4" longer than the 5.0 one, and thus may prove to be a problem when using a Fox 5.0 bell. The input shaft will foul on the pilot bearing. A spacer of some sort will probably be needed. However, the 94-95 5.0 bell housing is longer (the 94-95 5.0 T5 has the same input shaft length as the 3.8 T5), and would work.

For what you have, a Fox bell/flywheel/clutch, and the listed pilot bearing will get the trans you have in the car.

To use the V6 T5 (If you can find one), will require either a spacer to account for the longer input shaft, or a 94-95 5.0 bellhousing.

With the rear ratio that you have in the car (either a 3.08 or a 2.73), you will basically have the same gear ratios with the 4 cyl T5 as the AOD, plus a reasonable first gear.

If you're trying to stay cheap and get the swap done, stay with the 2.3 T5.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo

1987 Turbo Coupe manual transmission into a 1983 Thunderbird automatic V8?

Reply #8 –
I've thought about it and decided to go with my 87 T5, and if that explodes I'll already have the thing (basically anyways) set up to go the V6 T5 route to repair it. Hopefully it doesn't come to that though. I'll update in a couple weeks when I get to the job. Now time to round up the rest of the parts!

1987 Turbo Coupe manual transmission into a 1983 Thunderbird automatic V8?

Reply #9 –
Pick and pull sells the trans and bellhousing for $125 with core charge included, so it should be very, very easy to run into an sn-95 t-5 from a 94-04 fairly easy for $125.

The 3.8 bell housing works fine, i was using one for over a year and at least 50k miles. any 164 tooth flywheel will work fine with no modifications to any part of the engine/trans and everything lines up and goes exactly where you want it to.

the cheapest alternative i saw to a 164 tooth flywheel was a f-150 part which required the matching clutch and pressure plate. another alternitive is a aftermarket flywheel, just call them up and tell them you need a 164tooth and 11" clutch and your set.

i actually planned on a sc clutch/pressure plate but the flywheel i got used a 3/8" thread and the sc stuff used a 10mm thread, which would have been easy to fix, but cost quite a bit more, so i went with the f-150 parts instead.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com