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What trans for my for 302?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by PunkRodder, Sep 8, 2008.

  1. PunkRodder
    Joined: Feb 4, 2008
    Posts: 480

    PunkRodder
    Member

    I was going to use a 302 in my A project. I was thinking a 302 with a T5. I keep hearing with the T5 I Will have to have to use at least 3.75 to 4.11 geers in order to keep from lugging the engine. What is a better alternative? I want some thing I can run on the highway. I live in Texas so we have high speed limits. I want a little jump off the line too. Of course it needs to be manual.
     
  2. T5 is a little light for jumpstarts. I suggest Tremec 5 speed. Old style 4 speed lack the overdrive gear. Short answer, but I think it covers the choices.
    In my opinion, of course.
     
  3. MichaelDorman
    Joined: Apr 27, 2001
    Posts: 849

    MichaelDorman
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  4. K10
    Joined: Jul 16, 2006
    Posts: 57

    K10
    Member

    Is that a Jimmy 302 inline or a ford 302 V8?
     

  5. fast Ed
    Joined: Aug 12, 2007
    Posts: 199

    fast Ed
    Member

    What rear tire diameter are you planning to use? Is this a stock 302, or breathed on a bit? From my experience with a 5.0L Mustang (tires ~25.5" diameter), 3.55 ratio worked great. Certainly didn't lug, and you could run at 80 - 90 mph all day long. That was with a pretty much stock 87 EFI engine. 3.50 is available for an 8" or 9" diff, if that's what you're running.


    cheers
    Ed N.
     
  6. PunkRodder
    Joined: Feb 4, 2008
    Posts: 480

    PunkRodder
    Member

    I am using a 302 v8 from an 87 mustang. Right now the 9" that I have has 3.25 gears. The 302 will be bored 30 over, and I may use a different cam. Nothing radical though. Tire should be :16" rims with 7.00 tires
     
  7. chromedaddyo
    Joined: Jan 11, 2006
    Posts: 643

    chromedaddyo
    Member
    from Ohio

    Using a 302, T5 and 3.25 in my mustang. great combo, I am at 1900- 2100 rpm at near 70 mph. plenty of get up too. your lighter model A should go pretty well with it, I beat on mine a bit too and has not failed yet. Also depending on which trans you use they have different ratio first gears. I initially used one from a 4 cyl T bird turbo coupe. real stump puller, first was almost useless, settled on a 5.0 trans and I couldn't be happier.

    Dave
     
  8. El Caballo
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 6,283

    El Caballo
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    T5 if you are spending your money, Tremec if hotrod1940 is buyin'. ;)

    It's a Model A, not a '67 Lincoln. I had two '93 5.0 Mustangs with the T5 and 3.08 rear ends and I don't think you are going to break your rear end or the tranny unless you use an old banjo.

    One thing about the roller cam 302, if you decide to use a Toploader you will HAVE TO use a hydraulic clutch because the roller blocks do not have a mount on them for the OG clutches.
     
  9. Mercury Kid
    Joined: Nov 22, 2007
    Posts: 408

    Mercury Kid
    Member

    Depends on the T-5 you use. Mine is an old one ('84) and has the 2.95:1 first gear. Some time around 87 when they went to the World Class units, the first gear ratio changed to something like 3.35:1. I'm running 3.55's with a 27" tire behind my 289 and it turns 2100 at 70mph. I'm stepping up to 4.11's and it should still only turn about 2600.
     
  10. PunkRodder
    Joined: Feb 4, 2008
    Posts: 480

    PunkRodder
    Member

    Ok so you are running a 302+ T5 in a mustang? This is were I was going to pull a trans from if I can find one.
    What is a toploder exactly. I am new to the lingo. I am googleing now.
     
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2008
  11. chromedaddyo
    Joined: Jan 11, 2006
    Posts: 643

    chromedaddyo
    Member
    from Ohio

    Mine is in an early mustang. A toploader is the heavy duty 4 speed from the 60 - 70s
     
  12. AnimalAin
    Joined: Jul 20, 2002
    Posts: 3,416

    AnimalAin
    Member

    Your tire size is over 30 inches in diameter. I think a rear gear between 3.70 and 4.11 is your best choice with that tall of a tire. If you get about a 3.00 overall gear ratio (overdrive ratio times rear gear) with a 30 inch tire, you will have about 2000 rpm at 60 mph (or, for the more ambitious, 3000 at 90). My roadster used a combo like that for over 20 years, and it worked well.
     
  13. The Shocker
    Joined: Dec 30, 2004
    Posts: 3,538

    The Shocker
    Member

    If your gunna run a moderate gear and a fairly tall tire ,go for a Toploader 4 spd.Its tough as nails and the name sounds cool also.Mine has held up well and its about the only thing on my car i havent broke yet...
     
  14. The Wizard!
    Joined: Nov 18, 2007
    Posts: 140

    The Wizard!
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  15. SlowandLow63
    Joined: Sep 18, 2004
    Posts: 5,958

    SlowandLow63
    Member
    from Central NJ

    From what I understand T5's love around a 3.50 gear. With the overdrive, .67, 4.11 probably would be fine as well with that tall of a tire. I would say maybe 3.73 would work out well for you.
     
  16. Monkeey
    Joined: Oct 28, 2006
    Posts: 26

    Monkeey
    Member

  17. PunkRodder
    Joined: Feb 4, 2008
    Posts: 480

    PunkRodder
    Member

    All right here is another scenerio. What about 6.00 tires?
     
  18. BigChief
    Joined: Jan 14, 2003
    Posts: 2,084

    BigChief
    Member

    This is no longer an issue......you can now get adapters to use the old style clutch linkage/z-bar system with the new roller blocks.
     
  19. AnimalAin
    Joined: Jul 20, 2002
    Posts: 3,416

    AnimalAin
    Member

    Go one step taller. Instead of 3.70-4.11, go 3.50-3.90.
     
  20. JRRoberts
    Joined: Sep 26, 2007
    Posts: 189

    JRRoberts
    Member
    from Madison WI

    I am putting 302 and T-5 in my car. I would look for a world class(WC) T-5, they are stronger than a normal T-5. I think they are ~.68 overdrive. I vote for 4.10's or 4.30's!
     
  21. tjm73
    Joined: Feb 17, 2006
    Posts: 3,484

    tjm73
    Member

    I have a 5.0 convertible (heavy! 3600+ lbs) with a T5 and 3.73's with 26" tires. Runs 2300-2400 rpm at 70-75 mph. I have made hundreds of full throttle launchs and shifts at the dragstrip and on the streets. My T5 still works great. In an A the T5 will be a great choice behind a 302. If you are running a 30" tire, you should use at least 3.70-4.11's.

    The only down side is 1st gear. The 95% of the T5's have a 3.35 1st gear. Which is a bit steep in my opinion. My suggestion is buy any T5 and rebuild it with a World Class spec 2.95 gearset kit. Will give you all the good stuff of the World Class setup and give you a close ratio 4 speed with a deep O/D for the high speed travel on those long Texas highways. Shiftign will lose only about 1000-1200 rpm per shift.

    You will get the following ratios....

    1st 2.95
    2nd 1.99
    3rd 1.34
    4th 1.00
    5th 0.62
     
  22. El Caballo
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 6,283

    El Caballo
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Kool! Who makes them?
     
  23. PunkRodder
    Joined: Feb 4, 2008
    Posts: 480

    PunkRodder
    Member

    If I was to find a toploader what bell housing or clutch set up would I need to make it work with my 302. Starting to like the way these things sound. Form what I am reading they are bullet proof.
     
  24. johnboy13
    Joined: May 1, 2007
    Posts: 1,072

    johnboy13
    Member

    I've got 3.50 gears in my rear 302/T5 and they don't bog the engine at all. I think they're great!
     
  25. tjm73
    Joined: Feb 17, 2006
    Posts: 3,484

    tjm73
    Member

    Toplaoders are great, but beware the imposters. T5 are much easier to find.
     
  26. PunkRodder
    Joined: Feb 4, 2008
    Posts: 480

    PunkRodder
    Member

    So T5's come in most late model 5 speed mustangs right? The reason I ask about the toploader is cause I think I know where one is I can get cheap. Just wondering how hard it is to mount to my 302.
     
  27. fast Ed
    Joined: Aug 12, 2007
    Posts: 199

    fast Ed
    Member

    Mid-1983, up to 1993, are the most common ones used. All 5L Mustangs with manual trans. in that time span had them. They used the stronger versions as the years went on. 83-84 are the weakest, 85-89 are better, 90-93 best of the OEM units.


    cheers
    Ed N.
     
  28. The Shocker
    Joined: Dec 30, 2004
    Posts: 3,538

    The Shocker
    Member

    Mine is a 87 H.O. 302 with a 70 model Toploader.Best i can tell it is an older Lakewood scattershield (weighs a ton and is the only way to go if you plan to race it anyway) instead of a stock unit.I am using an early style clutch assembly thats for a 70 Mustang with a manual clutch fork and bell crank as well as an early style starter.I think it has an early flywheel as well ,because an 87 model pressure plate wouldnt bolt to it.I was told that an early flywheel wouldnt balance out on the later 302 but it has seen 6500 many times and i still have both of my feet and there is no vibration at all.
     
  29. SlowandLow63
    Joined: Sep 18, 2004
    Posts: 5,958

    SlowandLow63
    Member
    from Central NJ

    T5's can be had easily and cheap. As you probably know, there is a T5 specific bell housing. A toploader 4spd is going to be expensive if you find one thats ready to run. I'd say in the $1K range at least. They use a plain ols SBF manual bellhousing no frills. Would mount up easily. Either trans has the same spined input shaft so clutches are interchangable, 10" or 10.5", just make sure your flywheel is patterned for both and not one or the other.
     
  30. BigChief
    Joined: Jan 14, 2003
    Posts: 2,084

    BigChief
    Member

    Windsor-Fox made them but I'm not so sure they'er around but many of the Mustang parts houses carry them. Here's one at Mustangs Unlimited.

    http://www.mustangsunlimited.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=TRA670538+01

    You can get the ball-stud separately and, for the price they charge for these brackets, you might be able to make one up for yourself a bit cheaper. They also sell the adapter plates that allow you to bolt a T-5 to an early bellhousing as well.

    -Bigchief.
     

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