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Topic: t-bird '88 5.0 AOD to t5 swap (Read 1477 times) previous topic - next topic

t-bird '88 5.0 AOD to t5 swap

Just bought a 97 mustang v6 with the T5 and bad motor(going to do a v8 swap into it), and heard the bell-housing will work on the 302 and the T5 since it makes up for the input shaft? is it possible to do this swap in my Thunderbird? if so what clutch pedal assembly should i use? can i use the one from the 97 stang? or would i need one specifically from a fox? Thanks for any help! I Need to get this done ASAP!

t-bird '88 5.0 AOD to t5 swap

Reply #1
Get one for a fox.

As far as I can tell, the clutch and pedal as well as quadrant are all the same from the foxes up to 04. I played with the idea if adding a pedal to the stock pedal box but got a good deal on manual pedals and forgot all about it.

Here what I did.

01 sn-95 3.8 t-5.
1980's-97 (newer then 82) f-150 flywheel.
F-150 or f-250 302 or 351 clutch kit (pressure plate, throw out bearing and clutch)
Fox clutch cable.
Also need a mini starter from a manual trans f-150.

Then your pretty much done. Around 98 the stang went to a oss speed sensor instead of a vss. The oss sensor still works, but it reads 4x too high(8k ppm vs 32k ppm). You can swap on a fox or older sn-95 tail shaft and cut a groove for the snap ring for a regular Speedo gear. If you just want to get the car driveable, you can just plug in the oss.

Also, no neutral safety switch. You will need to put a jumper in and remember not to start it in gear.

I have a build thread on my swap here somewhere
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

t-bird '88 5.0 AOD to t5 swap

Reply #2
I appreciate the response! I’m going to start on this ASAP!

t-bird '88 5.0 AOD to t5 swap

Reply #3
so now that ive had a chance to read the response... so i need a pedal assembly from a fox? and then the few parts from the f-150, and jumper? also, im not sure how to tell the oss vs vss, my t bird has the digital dash, does that make a difference anywhere? or make any problems?

t-bird '88 5.0 AOD to t5 swap

Reply #4
Vss or oss is the Speedo gear in the t-5. You have it, or you don't. Look up my threads called sn95 t-5 behind a 302. Its been a few years, but I showed Every thing I did and had a parts list.
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

 

t-bird '88 5.0 AOD to t5 swap

Reply #5
The nss is one of the wires under the car that plugs to the trans. One is a reverse light switch, the other is the nss (neutral saftey switch) which is inside the trans on a fox, but doesn't exist on a sn95 trans. So basically you need to bypass it so the car will start with the key.
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