2.9 Cologne V6 adapter for T5?

[TABrinn]

I want to swap in a T5 from a 3.8 V6 Mustang I have sitting in my garage into my 87 Ranger STX Super Cab, with a 2.9 V6, A4LD auto, 4.10 Rear, 225/60/16 tires. I figure the gearing should be about perfect for a rev-happy sporty DD.

The 2.9 to BW T5 swap has been done before and an adapter was available through a Sunbeam Tiger forum member who was swapping the 2.9 with T5 into Sunbeams using a Toyo Kogyo (TK aka Mazda) Bell from a manual equipped cologne, and an adapter plate between the TK bell and the T5. Sadly, the guy providing the adapters passed and took the knowledge with him.

There is also an aftermarket Bell available from the UK based Burton Power but it is very pricey (just shy of $1K after tariffs, before S&H). The 4.0 SOHC from the Mustang uses a TREMEC T5, but the bolt pattern from the BW Bell to changed to their own special TREMEC only patten (right?). The 4.0 SOHC Mustang T5 has different gears... and I'd have to hunt one down... The BW T5 is already in my garage.

Does anyone here know of an adapter available to mate the Borg Warner T5 to the Cologne? Anyone DIY'd a bell to tranny adapter plate before? How hard is it?

 

[JoshT]

Was going to suggest the 4.0L T5, but you seem to be aware of it already.

I'm not going to say than an adapter doesn't exist, but I've been looking ino this stuff since the early 2000s and haven't come across one yet. To me that 4.0L T5 is a blessing for us Cologne guys. I plan to use one behind my 2.8L if I ever get around to using it again.

If you change your mind about the 4.0L T5, I have a feeling it wouldn't be as difficult to locate as you think, but I'm also not in your area. I've found them via Car-Part.com at salvage yards in my area and though about going ahead and grabbing one.

When/if the time comes or opportunity arises, I actually plan to buy a full car and thrash it for a few years before parting it. Manual 4.0L V6 Mustang, drop a moddbox supercharger kit on it (or play with turbos), thrash at auto-x or road course type events and maybe try my hand at drifting it. When I part it the motor will be rebuilt for Mom's 2002 Ranger and the transmission will be saved for my 2.8L. Possibly some other bits saved too depending on what's happening at the time.

 

[TABrinn]

I'll see if I can track down a 4.0 SOHC Mustang with a manual, and swap over its bell, the whole tranny, or hang it all, and just use a M5OD.

If I do go the route of using the TK bell with an adapter plate, would anyone be interested in going in on a small batch? I have a co-worker who is a machinist instructor, has his own home shop with 3d scanners, and printers, mill. lathe, etc.; willing to take it on but I'm sure a bigger batch would be more economically feasible. Just getting feelers to gauge interest.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Isn't the 3.8 the same bellhousing as the SBF?

I don't know of any but that may help cast a larger net....

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

If you're willing to import, ford sierra used... *something* for their batshit trans/4wd setup that would reliably hold 2.9 DOHC numbers. Geoff Kershaw said they became wear items after the 500 mark, but would hold up under 400.

I wish I still had my notes...

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Capri as well...

Wait.




Where's the merkur/Capri guy?

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

@DPDISXR4Ti

 

[Mummert]

THe Mustang II bellhousing works. No adapters needed.

 

[bobbywalter]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/146766524732

needs adapted....via machining input and an upgraded steel bearing cover

 

[bobbywalter]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/167700716198

203-384-0525 74-82BELL

 

[Mummert]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/146766524732

needs adapted....via machining input and an upgraded steel bearing cover

Turn down the front bearing retainer sounds like a small hill for a mountain climber. 2.9 flywheels project the pilot bearing farther than Mustang II. Much better choice. I'm using a 74 Bell with a 2.9 flywheel on my 2.8.
The last bell housing is for a 4 cylinder.

 

[bobbywalter]

Turn down the front bearing retainer sounds like a small hill for a mountain climber. 2.9 flywheels project the pilot bearing farther than Mustang II. Much better choice. I'm using a 74 Bell with a 2.9 flywheel on my 2.8.
The last bell housing is for a 4 cylinder.

yeah...if i wanted to do it i would.....or simply and more likely i would mod whatever i had laying around and free....145/6 bell or a tk4/5

or mod the modern stang 4.0 one. and use a turned 95 plus t5....

or or or.....just make an adapter





my friend over in wisc is the guy that made the stubbler t cases and the cologne to windsor adapters....

iirc you have a machine shop....

maybe i can get him to send me a print...

using the 300/6 flywheel really lends to the power perception of the 4.0s tq curve in terms of feel. especially with a creeper trans....like a t18 the zf5 is really overkill wheelin. putting a t5 behind a 2.8 in regards to effort would only happen if the parts were in a free collection....

the odds of anything less than a 4.0 in an rbv near me are pretty much zero though....



for a low or street oriented performance ranger....which i would not likely do....we have mustangs and 350zs and shit....but if i did get a hankerin for sticking to pavement un a ute....and wanted for some strange reason use less than 8 cylinders... i would just use the 3.7 stang setup with the mt82....if i were to use a v6. or the 2.3 ecoboost....

though i watch carefully with your 2.8 development. it is flately awesome to see the limits outlined....excellent work... unfortunately they will never make enough power to warrant the money and time involved. a guy can wrap up 4 grand in a cyclone 3.7 and have reliable 600 whp...

cosworth can never say that..... they can say 600 hp....cant say reliable...

 

[bobbywalter]

I want to swap in a T5 from a 3.8 V6 Mustang I have sitting in my garage into my 87 Ranger STX Super Cab, with a 2.9 V6, A4LD auto, 4.10 Rear, 225/60/16 tires. I figure the gearing should be about perfect for a rev-happy sporty DD.

The 2.9 to BW T5 swap has been done before and an adapter was available through a Sunbeam Tiger forum member who was swapping the 2.9 with T5 into Sunbeams using a Toyo Kogyo (TK aka Mazda) Bell from a manual equipped cologne, and an adapter plate between the TK bell and the T5. Sadly, the guy providing the adapters passed and took the knowledge with him.

There is also an aftermarket Bell available from the UK based Burton Power but it is very pricey (just shy of $1K after tariffs, before S&H). The 4.0 SOHC from the Mustang uses a TREMEC T5, but the bolt pattern from the BW Bell to changed to their own special TREMEC only patten (right?). The 4.0 SOHC Mustang T5 has different gears... and I'd have to hunt one down... The BW T5 is already in my garage.

Does anyone here know of an adapter available to mate the Borg Warner T5 to the Cologne? Anyone DIY'd a bell to tranny adapter plate before? How hard is it?

there is no magical knowledge lost. only effort.

is there a machine shop near you?

 

[19Walt93]

I transplanted a 2.8 and a T5 into my friend's Sunbeam Alpine. I used a flywheel and bellhousing from a Mustang II. The 2.8 actually came out of a Mustang II, the T5 was from my daughter's wrecked 4 cylinder 89 Mustang and it had a 3.95 low so it launched like a rocket. I used a hydraulic clutch with a bearing retainer mounted slave cylinder that should work for your project.