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Topic: T5 Swap-well worth it (Read 2977 times) previous topic - next topic

T5 Swap-well worth it

I want to thank the few here that recommended the T5 install. With the info found here and the Cool Cats forum, I rounded up enough parts and waited for a good friend to tackle the project.  Fun is the word. I am glad I didn't go too deep with the AOD.  I was starting to think it would take a bigger engine or a better supercharger/head combo to make it a keeper.  My friend runs a G-Force in his Race Car, and still liked how well this car drove. Faith restored. Now to gets some miles racked up before winter gets here.
1988 LX, 306 with GT40P heads, Downs Upper Intake on Truck Lower, Powerdyne Supercharger and T5 swap.  Scavenger Hunt Build at it's best.

T5 Swap-well worth it

Reply #1 –
The T5 is much better than the stock AOD. I sunk some $$$$ into the AOD in my car to make it fun. Going from a stock AOD to the modified one my car picked up 7 tenths and 2 mph in the quarter. You should see similar results with the T5, as long as you don't miss a shift ;)
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

T5 Swap-well worth it

Reply #2 –
Just don't do what I did, and blow out all the motor mounts and strip out the motor mount bolt holes.
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

T5 Swap-well worth it

Reply #3 –
Haystack does have a point. Depending on how you drive, you may want to look into upgrading your engine and transmission mounts.
It's Gumby's fault.

T5 Swap-well worth it

Reply #4 –
When I put the t5 in my SE v6 it became apparent very quick that I had junk motor mounts.  I never noticed with the auto.
One 88

T5 Swap-well worth it

Reply #5 –
I will probably do a motor plate if I ever get around to getting my old 86 going. It needs new every thing.

If you drive like a sane person, it will ve okay. I mrssed up my power steering rack, oil pan ajd broke the ac line. To be fair, I gave up after six shiznitty motor mounts and it was stripped out. There was a pretty good sized dent in the floor from the shifter coming over.
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

T5 Swap-well worth it

Reply #6 –
I don't mean to be rude, but how the hell do you guys bust motor mounts so often? When my Cougar was on the road I absolutely thrashed the thing and the motor mounts never gave on me. I replaced them when I did a transmission and they were still good.
88 Cougar
88 T-Bird
other cars that don't apply to this forum

T5 Swap-well worth it

Reply #7 –
Then you really aren't trying. This Is my old 87 bird, stock everything. I owned it from 140k-180k.

https://youtu.be/xDDKoedmj80

Those little tabs were still in place. Stuff gets really cool when those bend/break.
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

T5 Swap-well worth it

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Moonmount;467402
I don't mean to be rude, but how the hell do you guys bust motor mounts so often? When my Cougar was on the road I absolutely thrashed the thing and the motor mounts never gave on me. I replaced them when I did a transmission and they were still good.

I broke the motor mount in one of my TC's when I was beating the hell out of it. My current TC wasn't abused, but had a lot of miles and a broken mount. They are big, rubber bladders with fluid in them. They can only handle so much for so long.
It's Gumby's fault.

T5 Swap-well worth it

Reply #9 –
I ended up buying a Stifflers trans crossmember and used an Energy Suspension Trans mount. Replacement motor mounts but looking at them I'm sure they will only take so much. I need to redo the upper radiator hose as it was close to the supercharger pulley and after a little "playing" it left some rub marks. This is a driver, but I started thinking of a torque limiter set up but with urethane bushings?
1988 LX, 306 with GT40P heads, Downs Upper Intake on Truck Lower, Powerdyne Supercharger and T5 swap.  Scavenger Hunt Build at it's best.

T5 Swap-well worth it

Reply #10 –
I've got solid rubber pads in the factory mount brackets. Been fine for 10 years.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

T5 Swap-well worth it

Reply #11 –
Right now, we only have one vendor making mounts for our cars, assuming you're still using the factory k-member.

https://tbirdcougarparts.com

I have the prototype 2.3L mounts on my car and they work well so far.
It's Gumby's fault.

T5 Swap-well worth it

Reply #12 –
Ah the ones I pulled out were solid rubber and the ones I put in were also solid rubber
88 Cougar
88 T-Bird
other cars that don't apply to this forum

T5 Swap-well worth it

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Moonmount;467442
Ah the ones I pulled out were solid rubber and the ones I put in were also solid rubber

All aftermarket mounts are solid rubber I think as a cheaper solution.
One 88

T5 Swap-well worth it

Reply #14 –
Those are the ones I kept tearing apart. I even tried to glue them back together
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