89 2wd 2.3 - which trans for boost?

[therieldeal]

Alright... in the spring I'm putting in a 2.3t from a thunderbird.

My truck currently has 269k miles (or is it 169k? I don’t really know... the carfax was inconclusive, the same person owned it for too long). Not sure I trust the original tranny, although it does shift quite well and doesn’t make any weird noises.

Would you:
Keep the stock trans
Find another used stock trans (how new can I go that will still fit?)
Retrofit the t5 from the tbird (I do have this trans available)

This will be a daily driver and I'll be using it to tow my escort. Putting in a 4.10 8.8" LSD rear end as well, just have to track one down.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

being that your truck is 2wd, all thats required to make the T5 work is a trans crossmember and to have a driveline made. the T5 has more favorable gearing for acceleration and towing than the rangers trans...so i would rather go that route personally.

my second vote is an M5OD out of a '89-'01 4 banger (the 2.3 and 2.5 both bolt up).

both are plenty strong enough.