T5 conversion questions

Topic: T5 conversion questions (Read 2629 times) previous topic - next topic

T5 conversion questions

July 28, 2010, 10:27:59 AM

Hello to all. I'm new to this forum and have to hand it to you guys, the info u post here is amazingly informative. I'll start by saying I have an 88 tbird sport with a 306 mated to an AOD (floor shift) and an 8.8 rear. My question to u guys concerns an AOD to T5 swap I'm currently going to be doing. Note, I do have a donor, 93 stick mustang. First question, is the reverse light harness for the T5. Will the reverse light harness in the stang match up with the one in my tbird? If not, any recommendations? Note, my T5 has the two threaded connectors on it. Second, does a tbird lower shift boot bolt directly in, or is there fabrication involved. The reason I ask is that in doing my research, I have spoken to several reputable guys who have done this conversion in stangs. They told me that manual stangs have a slightly different trans tunnel than auto stangs. They recommend to cut that portion of the tunnel out of a stick stang and transplant it so everything has a factory look. In researching this forum's tech threads, I have not read anyone having a problem with this. I just need to know if tbirds are different in this aspect. i want to do the job right and need some clarification. It's my hope that the lower boot bolts down and seals nicely without any fab work. Lastly, I'm going to be using a firewall adjuster for the clutch cable. I just want to confirm if I need to swap out a smaller booster/master so that it fits. I remember reading a thread about this but can't locate it right now (i'm not sure if it was here or coolcats). If it does need to be swapped, what is the proper one to buy? Sorry in advance for the lengthy write up. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

T5 conversion questions

Reply #1 – July 28, 2010, 10:48:37 AM

I have swapped about 4 or 5 T5 in to Thunderbird TCs.. never had an issue with the trans tunnel.
also the AOD is larger than the T5 so I doubt you will have issues swapping in the T5.

T5 conversion questions

Reply #2 – July 28, 2010, 11:24:24 AM

Did the lower shift boot install correctly? How bout the reverse lights?

T5 conversion questions

Reply #3 – July 28, 2010, 11:56:30 AM

If you have a lower shifter boot that bolts to the floor from a 5 speed Bird,it's a bolt in.If it's from a Stang,you may have to drill a couple of holes. s far as the harness,My T-5 plugged right into my Sport's factory backup light harness.Done deal.

T5 conversion questions

Reply #4 – July 28, 2010, 12:02:14 PM

The trans tunnels are the same. The mustang reverse light harness will plug right into your harness. The Mustang lower shift boot installs correctly-It's the same. Remember you're going to need the pedal assembly from the stang. You don't need an adjustable clutch to make it work-But almost everyone upgrades the cable and clutch quadrant. I've done quite a few of these conversions-I'm sure everyone on here has done it a few times. I've never had to change the master or brake booster because of clearance issues. I'm sure others will chime in with some more info. I've heard some people say the driveshafts are a different length but I personally have never run into this problem.

T5 conversion questions

Reply #5 – July 28, 2010, 12:05:32 PM

Perfect! Thanks, again.

T5 conversion questions

Reply #6 – July 28, 2010, 01:06:25 PM

If you run, (or plan to) an adjustable clutch cable, you'll have clearance issues with the stock brake booster. Swap in a Mustang unit and that problem is solved.

T5 conversion questions

Reply #7 – July 28, 2010, 01:19:33 PM

The brake booster limits the amount of adjustment that you can get with the clutch cable. People switch to the smaller one to fix this issue. Myself, I'm investigating putting a spacer between the firewall and the brake booster to move it out 1/2 inch or so. There is plenty of bolt left for the pedal assembly. I'll let you know if there is any braking issues when I get the car together and bleed the brakes again.

T5 conversion questions

Reply #8 – July 28, 2010, 03:43:38 PM

Good idea, im interested in how that works for u.

T5 conversion questions

Reply #9 – July 28, 2010, 04:44:53 PM

To get around the booster/adjuster issue, I elongated the hole in the firewall and rotated the adjuster slightly. It's worked for me.

T5 conversion questions

Reply #10 – July 28, 2010, 05:59:44 PM

There is a bracket that sits on top of the trans tunnel that the auto cars do not have. From what I understand, you do not need it. It would just be making it more factory correct.