Question about 2.3 turbo t bird engines

[RacinNdrummin]

Some MIS-info here.

A Ford T-5 is a Ford T-5, the only difference is between the 4 banger and V8 trannies and the input shaft pilot bearing diameters, and all that requires is a Bushing/bearing change. Other than that it is just gear ratios and gear material. A mustang T-5 will work with a Tbird bellhousing, or vice versa, 2.3 or 5.0.

An M5OD is NOT stronger than the T5. There is A LOT more T5's, Both 4 banger and V8, holding big power out there than there is M5OD's. The T5 is built better, Shifts better, and has more aftermarket support than the M5OD. However the M5OD does have a better shifter position.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Some MIS-info here.

A Ford T-5 is a Ford T-5, the only difference is between the 4 banger and V8 trannies and the input shaft pilot bearing diameters, and all that requires is a Bushing/bearing change. Other than that it is just gear ratios and gear material. A mustang T-5 will work with a Tbird bellhousing, or vice versa, 2.3 or 5.0.

An M5OD is NOT stronger than the T5. There is A LOT more T5's, Both 4 banger and V8, holding big power out there than there is M5OD's. The T5 is built better, Shifts better, and has more aftermarket support than the M5OD. However the M5OD does have a better shifter position.

For the modifications needed, unless pushing big numbers (which I wouldn't touch a T-5 for)... The M50D is a better choice... The T-5 isn't what everyone makes it out to be...

 

[RacinNdrummin]

Dude, before you comment on something like that, head over to turboford and see how many people are running T5's WITH big power, let alone without.

The T5 is a way more stout tranny than an M5OD.

You just have something against it for no reason.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Dude, before you comment on something like that, head over to turboford and see how many people are running T5's WITH big power, let alone without.

The T5 is a way more stout tranny than an M5OD.

I'm not going to argue with you... My point isn't that one is stronger... My point is that and M50D is ten times better in a Ranger because everything fits without modifications...

BTW-In my experience, No T-5 I have been around has lasted as long or longer than an M50D...

 

[RacinNdrummin]

Changing seats is one huge modification....

88 tbird is hydraulic slave. Cross member is no prob...

For the added security, Id toss in a T5 over a 4cyl M5OD any day without question, ive seen too many blown out M5's.

 

[RacinNdrummin]

All you have to do is look to see that the T5 is a better tranny.

 

[scotts90ranger]

a 4 cylinder M5OD will handle a stock turbocoupe engine, mine has taken a fair amount of abuse and it didn't get the turbo until after 200K of break in miles...

I've driven a S10 with a T5, didn't really like the shifting, I can shift my M5 faster... and from my friend that works in a tranny shop, the WC version is the only one that drives well, he's not the biggest T5 fan either...

I'm running the M5 because it was there, my transfercase was already mounted to it, driveshafts were all the right length. If I had gone with a T5 I would have to find the bellhousing from an '88 turbocoupe, transfercase from a IFS 5 speed S10, cut holes in the floor, custom driveshafts (most likely, didn't look into it that far), I would have as much money in that setup as I did my whole turbo swap... hell, I'm only going to have like $600 invested in my D35, explorer 8.8, manual 1354 and 4.88 gears, if I blow my tranny around $300 will get it rebuilt... but I'm sticking with a fairly stock turbo 2.3 to make it wheelable, I haven't been able to kill my dying 7.5 or my D28

I'm not saying the M5 is better than the T5, like Beanmachine I'm saying it's better for the application, it's there, might as well use it

 

[RacinNdrummin]

If using a 2.3T in a 4x4 application, yes your right, it is easier to keep the M5, than cobbling together 3 different trannies to get one. But in a 4x4 situation, you arent exactly looking for sky high HP numbers either.

In a 2wd application, and your looking for some decent numbers with a good setup, you will destroy the M5.

WC T5's (as far as ford goes) are any T5's made after 1985, even the 4 banger. My TC 4cyl T5 is a WC T5. The only difference between the 4 cyl T5 and V8 T5 is gear ratio/material (those go hand in hand), and the aluminum bearing retainer. The bearings and shaft material is all the same, and if your breaking the 3.97/4.03 first on a 4 banger T5, your being too hard on it anyway.

And as far as the shifting goes, I couldnt care less how an S10 T5 shifts, those are completely different from the ford setup, but I KNOW, Because I OWN both, the ford T5 shifts WAY better than the M5, and it has nothing to do with how fast you can shift the tranny.

 

[Bill G]

I'm hardly a expert on the T5 trans but from what I have gathered from reading over the years the S10 T5 and Ford T5 are almost the same so shifting one is the same as shifting the other. I have seen a article on how to use the S10 T5 tailshaft to keep your current shifter position in a Ranger. It looked like it was a little more work then what it was worth.

I'm pretty happy with my M5 after I rebuilt it. It shifts way better then it did before I replaced the shifter bushings.

I honestly can't see the T5 being any better then a well built M5. The main reason the M5 is underrated is that there aren't that many Turbo Rangers out there making big power. I think Jess Warren is the only one making big power numbers and I don't think there isn't trany he hasn't broke. You can't shoehorn a M5 into a turbo coupe so it's like comparing apples to oranges from the TurboFord info. I haven't seen too much on the M5 failing due to being ran behind a turbo engine.

 

[RacinNdrummin]

The S10 is completely different in regards to shifting, the shifter itself is different and it is located in a different spot, not to mention the shifter being longer etc. And as far as I know the S10 unit wasnt a WC tranny.

I have seen my fare share of blown up M5's behind regular old 4.0 Ohvs, let alone behind a warmed over 2.3T.

If you guys wanna run the M5OD, more power to you, but that doesnt make it a better trans.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

I'm hardly a expert on the T5 trans but from what I have gathered from reading over the years the S10 T5 and Ford T5 are almost the same so shifting one is the same as shifting the other. I have seen a article on how to use the S10 T5 tailshaft to keep your current shifter position in a Ranger. It looked like it was a little more work then what it was worth.

I'm pretty happy with my M5 after I rebuilt it. It shifts way better then it did before I replaced the shifter bushings.

I honestly can't see the T5 being any better then a well built M5. The main reason the M5 is underrated is that there aren't that many Turbo Rangers out there making big power. I think Jess Warren is the only one making big power numbers and I don't think there isn't trany he hasn't broke. You can't shoehorn a M5 into a turbo coupe so it's like comparing apples to oranges from the TurboFord info. I haven't seen too much on the M5 failing due to being ran behind a turbo engine.

I've never seen a T-5 last any longer under power than an M50D I admit I've never seen either under HIGH horsepower use)... I'd go to say they are about equal strength, with the M50D being ten times easier to use in an RBV regardless of how many wheels are powered... Just bolting up an engine is always going to be easier than changing to a different transmission...

 

[Bill G]

The S10 is completely different in regards to shifting, the shifter itself is different and it is located in a different spot, not to mention the shifter being longer etc. And as far as I know the S10 unit wasnt a WC tranny.

Both the Ford and GM T5's are considered "world class" it's just a name.

You can also find T5's in a Isuzu Rodeo and and The Honda Passport.

 

[RacinNdrummin]

Its more than a name,

a "World Class" T5 uses Different bearings, the gears ride on bearings instead of right on the shaft like the NWC, The world class boxes had tapered bearings over the NWC having normal roller bearings and a thrust washer. WC synchros are Fiber lined while NWC are just bronze, and im sure there is more I cant remember off the top of my head, but they are definately different.

The WC unit uses ATF because its tighter than the NWC unit, which uses gear oil.

 

[88gt]

a lot of folks on turborangerforums run a stage 3 clutch for a 2.3 with a stock ranger trans. and a lot of them are pushing 250-300rwhp from what i have read.

 

[SykoRanger88]

wait a second does my truck have an M5R1 or M5OD? its an 11/87 model...88 rounded up i guess, XLT 2.3 5 speed...will the 2.3tc motors bolt right up to both M5 trannies?