A Brief History of the T5 Transmission with Paul Cangialosi -EricTheCarGuy

[@edach8585]

The T5 was about the best shifting transmission ever. Hundreds of engineering hours were spent on the shape of the ramps between the detents in the guide plate and the angles of the slot (see US Patent 4,338,828, invented by my boss, Hap Ruhlman). It shifted so well that it was too easy to miss 3rd and hit 1st gear when downshifting from 5th and shred the clutch plate. The guide plate or the lever, with its copper (or was it bronze) impregnated "football" was powdered metal part of the year in the middle of the '80s. The T5 was also in the Nissan 300ZX.

[@philipmacduffie7612]

I see a lot of t5 rebuild questions: buy Paul's book. It is a good reference for rebuilding, and Paul is a good guy to buy parts from. His peelable shims are the best way I have found to preload my gearboxes for race car use.

[@citrusfarmer]

Paul Cangialosi is so knowledgeable.

[@Texasknowhow]

Paul is great. Very knowledgeable and a great teacher.

[@oCHUCKoNORRISo]

Paul is a good guy. Would be great to have him on the show more often, if possible.

[@ericthecarguy]

+Kyle Tatum There will be 4 more episodes with Paul over the next few months. 2 next week.

[@oCHUCKoNORRISo]

+EricTheCarGuy Glad to hear!

[@megavern72]

Yup, Oliver's gonna love this!

[@charlesmiller5078]

Nice info, Just rolled out of bed, and already learned something new, good way to start a new day.

[@GearBoxVideo]

Sorry. I left out the Australian Holden, Commodores and Falcons. The Nissan 1986 Turbo Z non world class. The Turbo T bird. The British Solo kit car, and the Melroe industrial Sprayer. Please forgive me.

[@ThePeace623]

Also the Chevy Astro van

[@niteenkant7273]

Which Holdens had this exactly

[@daviderickson9445]

My '82 Jeep CJ-7 has one.

[@timmilus84]

@@niteenkant7273 Commodore. I cannot remember the different V's, but they used NWC behind the V8s in the same Era as the F-Body in the US. They went WC with Ford Mainshafts later behind the V6 (they were Cobra/Z mainshafts in some). Those later tail housings are dimensionally identical to the Nissan/Ford Sierra ones, including a Ford shifter. I have a few along with a couple Falcon ones. The Australian housings are square while the Mustang is ~6° tilted and the F-Body is ~17° tilted.

[@suj1945]

This Paul guy is awesome

[@GearBoxVideo]

+Suj Thanks!

[@nathanrspain]

Paul reminds me of Mr. Wolf from Pulp Fiction.

[@GearBoxVideo]

+Nathan Spain Why thanks!

[@nathanrspain]

+GearBoxVideo You're welcome!! I just subscribed to your channel and you have some great videos. I'm also looking forward to seeing future videos with you and ETCG; that guy needs all the help he can get hahaha.

[@SangheiliSpecOp]

If self preservation is important to you, you better disengage that clutch properly...

[@GearBoxVideo]

+Michelangelo Hamato I talk fast, I think fast, & I need you guys to act fast. So. if you want to build this.. pretty please with sugar on top clean the F****ing transmission.

[@SangheiliSpecOp]

+GearBoxVideo XD thanks for the laugh!

[@davelowe1977]

You have to love youtube. There is a genius for every subject! Thanks for making the video - and correct the spelling in the title!

[@patw52pb1]

+David Lowe Yep, and Paul is more than an expert since he achieved guru-plus status long ago and is now working on 5-speed god status. As a long time fan of Paul, his videos are great, Rhonda is hot and hilarious, his music is cool and his books are even better.

[@jordandowns170]

I built MANY of these at WIT great info Eric

[@gjrt7573]

Nice quick summary.

[@lowslo9287]

I have a t5 in my 2000 mustang and I love it 😍

[@DENicholsAutoBravado]

That was extremely cool.

[@ucfkid67]

How about a video of world class T5s vs non world class T5s? There are many misnomers out there that someone like you would be great to settle and squash

[@zacharymoore8110]

Sweet stuff Eric!!! Enjoyed this alot!

[@ThatDudeMidnight]

Awesome vid... You've got a good handle on interviews.

[@MechRider89]

Toyota's W58 is still going as well, few tweaks over the years but still going.

[@davidroddick5465]

Really informative video - takes the mystery out. Thanks.

[@jdSoBe]

The T5 is a great transmission, i swapped one into my 280z.

[@jetjazz05]

Ssangyong is now owned by Mahindra (the Indian tractor manufacturer). They ALMOST bought Saab after Spiker tried to sell it, but issues with Saab AB caused the sale to fall through.

[@johnblack4636]

Thank-you airdick nice job

[@quadruple_negative]

Ford Australia had T5's in the Falcons. But we didn't get the World Class unit 'til around 1994 with the EF. Had a standard and world class unit in my '93 XR6. Standard was ok until the input shaft bearing got noisy. World class had better ratios and syncro on reverse.

[@GearBoxVideo]

+Justin Webster I got some Holden T5 inputs still kicking around.

[@binnsh]

Had one of those in an '83 S-10, It was one of the few highlights on that car, no problems, 200K mi..

[@arsonist63086]

the t5 was also available in the 82-83 280zx tubo

[@jaredshaffer3901]

Datsun 280zx turbo also had the T5 starting in 1981

[@DrewLSsix]

And ending in 1981.....

[@chrismunos7741]

Thanx Paul and Eric. I'm swapping a 6.0 liter LS swap into my S10 Xtreme. Looking at transmission options.

[@PatrickDX1]

My heart got all fluffy inside because I have and rebuilt one of these :)

[@IceInMaWeiner]

+Mustang Pat I need to rebuild the one in my mustang,do you mind linking me the kit you used?

[@PatrickDX1]

+IceInMaWeiner I just cracked it open and bought synchros for the gears I needed

[@SteveRobReviews]

Interesting info. 👍👍

[@WesternReloader]

Can the T5 be setup up to a transfer case for light 4x4 wheeling?

[@insertgoodname4809]

more like this!

[@pattreadwell6149]

Thank you

[@davidb.fishburn9338]

Paul Cangialosi , just saw this video, did'nt know of it til a little while ago. You said that it has been around since about 1981. Is it based on the four speed that were in the Mustangs before that? I had two Mustangs, a 1974 and a 1975 that had four speeds that look very similar to the T5. Watched your rebuild of Eric's T5, i say that it was very interesting and well done.

[@GearBoxVideo]

Yes it was based on the SR4

[@Ryzomadman]

If you have ever heard of the Rover SD1 the T5 can be used in that too very versatile well-built box as the original T77 are just about impossible to get hold off in serviceable condition

[@JohnSmith-qj4cf]

I bought the book great

[@DarrenCoull]

Hey Eric, the two Transmission videos so far are great, but you got Pauls surname incorrect on the video overlay - you have it as Paul Cangailosi - not sure you can fix in these already published, but if there's more coming... :-)Finally, can you ask Paul perhaps to present a video on the gearbox lemons to avoid? i.e units that wear out quickly, can't take moderate power increases etc. - could be useful for those wanting to find an Engine/gearbox combo for their project car

[@GearBoxVideo]

+Darren Coull I have some videos like that on my channel. Working on a few more Ebay disaster purchases.

[@BlackOrchid639]

Kick ass video, I feel like you heard my cries for a T5 video lol now show us what that bad boy looks like torn apart and rebuilt :P

[@ericthecarguy]

+BlackOrchid639 Video coming soon.

[@BlackOrchid639]

nice!

[@BlackOrchid639]

EricTheCarGuy Eric I have one thing I wanted to ask you...I have a 93 2.3L with a world class T5 in it. I've given it a flush, used the proper atf, and even threw some lucas tranny fix in it, but, it is still hard to shift into gear. Am I looking at the garbage can for this one? Thanks, Eric, been a longtime youtube watcher and facebook follower

[@wowantonlavey]

including post OEM manufacturing the powerglide was made twice as long as the t5

[@GearBoxVideo]

+wowantonlavey "ManualTransmission". The T5 as stated is the longest running massed produced manual transmission. I was talking about manual transmission units actually made by an OEM manufacturer. The powerglide as you know is an automatic and is no longer in production by GM, but it is made aftermarket by companies such as TCI.

[@User78347]

my Ford falcon xr6 turbo in Australia had a t5z from the factory. anyway I did some minor engine performance enhancements and ended up blowing up this box. same thing has happened to dozens of falcon owners in Australia. from 2005 onwards Ford stopped using the t5 and went to the much stronger t56

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

Hey Eric howCome Ford never used this gearbox in the f150 series trucks? So far my m5od has been bulletproofSo not knocking the Mazda 5 speed

[@ericthecarguy]

+JEREMY FOUNTAIN (THEMOWERMEDIC1) I suppose because it's easier just to purchase the drivetrain from one place. Likely, the other transmission is cheaper to produce. If you ever wonder why car companies do things, just look to what it costs them to produce.

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

+EricTheCarGuy cheap is right. They say when the m5od shells out it ain't worth a rebuild. You can buy the complete unit cheaper than a rebuild of similar transmission. Hey thanks for rhe quick response and good Morning to ya. It's Friday!

[@ericthecarguy]

+JEREMY FOUNTAIN (THEMOWERMEDIC1) If it's anything like the T-5, it may also have to do with the tail shaft bushing. They're machined in place and can't be replaced without replacing the entire tail housing. We cover this in the rebuild video.

[@GearBoxVideo]

+JEREMY FOUNTAIN (THEMOWERMEDIC1) Its a passenger car transmission not designed for truck use. Light truck use such as a GM S10 was about it. Ford needed something more robust that can handle a pickup bed loaded with some weight with a low first gear. So the T18 T19 or T170's were a better fit.

[@danieljones8909]

It is also in the AMC jeeps...

[@marcchaffee7751]

does anybody know , can it stand up to a strong 351 C tunnel ram motor ?

[@johnbehneman1546]

Thank you so much. I am thinking about that transmission for my Edsel. I just wonder what the max horsepower rating is for the T5?

[@lilpoindexter]

'83 Camaro T5 in my '78 C10 straight six

[@ldnwholesale8552]

Paul,, T5 has not been around as long as the Super T10,, mid 70s, itself a upgrade on a Muncie 64-74 which was an upgrade on the original T10 from around 1960. And here in Oz T5s do not have great rep as they explode behind Falcon 6s let alone V8s. And the turbo6 Falcon they were a handgrenade.

[@GearBoxVideo]

Never said they were but it is the 2nd largest mass produced trans to the Muncie 4 speed. You should read my book on transmission s and Muncies to get a clearer understanding of timelines and reasons for switches from Muncies to ST10's

[@777warhero]

Did the vigor get painted grey or is that a different one? Great video as usual

[@johnmurphy9270]

I have some questions about the T5 and parts

[@minirey360]

Hey Eric, what brand jacket you wearing in your videos? I'd love to buy one for myself!

[@bjdrones]

Can I install a T5 from a 1994 Mustang 5.0 into a 1990 Mustang 5.0 without any modifications or issues?

[@patrickgranholm3192]

input shaft length on the 94 is longer if I remember correctly. The two cars use different bellhousings with the 94 being longer.

[@Wtrxprs007able]

Don't want to be picky but I just want to let you know that you misspelled Paul's surname at the intro.

[@ericthecarguy]

+Wtrxprs007able He reviewed it himself and never mentioned it.

[@Wtrxprs007able]

+EricTheCarGuy must be fine then. Again, didn't want to be picky or anything. Great videos as always Eric!!

[@Wtrxprs007able]

+AMDFX 99 not called for mate but ok.

[@newcoyote]

+AMDFX 99 what is wrong with making a correction? He was polite about it. People make mistakes and the people with intellectual integrity welcome corrections. Spelling his name right is just respect. Telling someone to "get a life " is pretty childish.

[@Wtrxprs007able]

+newcoyote thank you

[@GarthGoldberg]

Interestingly, Tremec is owned by KUO, a Mexican company which owns other auto parts companies.

[@GearBoxVideo]

+Garth Goldberg That is true. Sadly they are discontinuing more and more T5, TKO, and T56 parts to focus on other more important parts KUO demands.

[@MikesFitnessGoals]

How much power can a T5 handle?

[@GearBoxVideo]

+Mike McMac Torque ratings are hard to gauge because transmissions are old and are used. Used gears can be subject to many levels of abuse or normal driving. The T5 was purchased by automakers based on intended use and nothing more. They don't buy a transmission for a 6clyinder application and think about how the transmission will be used in other applications. So if you have a car that comes with a T5 from the factory couples with a 300HP engine producing 300 Ft Lbs of torque with a specific rear gear, then that is what it is rated for,

[@jeepmanxj]

+GearBoxVideo That is not exactly true. When something like this is designed, its designed to be as compatible as possible so may indeed have far higher power limits than its factory use. If a transmission is going to be application specific, yes its probably going to poop out not far outside of factory power levels. Subaru is a good show of this. STI, known to be modified, and raced has a solid 6speed that supports far more power than designed. The wrx, those poor bastards got the short end and you meet the limit of that transmission far within bolt on power ranges.

[@GearBoxVideo]

User Name Not for the T5. The T5 had over 260 variations because of specific design requirements. The Jeep T5 ratio set for example is designed for the torque output and curve of that specific 6 cylinder engine. Putting that behind a V8 application worked but the transmission was short lived. Mustang 3.35 first gear ratio T5 transmissions constantly broke 3rd gear from people power shifting them with little added horsepower. The power exceeded the design requirement. The reason Ford Motorsport offers a T5 Z spec that they rate at 330 Ft. Lbs is because the standard units break. The motorsport unit offered better input bearing stability and closer ratio spreads. Think of a Torque Rating more as a life factor. You can indeed exceed the transmission's rating or intended design use but in doing that shorten the overall life span of the transmission.

[@jeepmanxj]

I can promise you, working DIRECTLY in the business dealing with transmission components I am 100% correct. There is no I've heard, or read. The vast majority of transmissions are made with plenty of headroom. In general, on the vast majority of transmissions they are going to hold far more power than the power plant they are put behind, they have to.

[@GearBoxVideo]

Funny thing, so do I! I think you are missing the point. The example of the Jeep T5 unit being used in a V8 application,. There is no headroom for that type of switch. Please keep in mind we are talking about the T5. The Muncie 4 speed which has been tweaked over the years to gain more load capacity in the same form factor could handle way more load than some vehicles use it was installed in. Curious, maybe we know one another since you state you work directly in the business? My name is Paul Cangialosi, I own 5 speeds.com and have been designing and building gearboxes for 34 years. Most people that sell and design Manual transmission parts do know me. Please don't loose sight of the original question which is often asked by others. "How much power can the transmission handle?" If the transmission was designed for a certain application and within that certain application it starts failing because the clutch was dropped at 6500rpm or the guy added drag radials to the mix, the power level wasn't changed was it? Intended use was. Get it?

[@NorthWood460]

Can you make a 4x4 setup for a 1996 Ford F-150 with the 5.0 v8

[@efrianramirez5122]

Is the t5 better than a nv3500 for sbc on a car?

[@captainhowdy9557]

Tremic took over in 95 , my 95 cobra had the T5 Tremic

[@MrGuvEuroman]

Wait is this THE T5 in the Transit and Sierra Cosworths?

[@GearBoxVideo]

+MrGuvEuroman In the Sierra Cosworths. The Transit used a different transmission. Because there are so many Transits in the UK, its become a transmission to use for conversions. The gear ratios may or may not work for some applications.

[@michaelriddle134]

The Nissan 280z Turbo also used a non world class T5

[@GearBoxVideo]

+Michael Riddle Yes and for one year only...

[@narciso19G]

+Michael Riddle yea only for 1981 I happen to have one of them but it's got an automatic in. maybe because it's a 280zx

[@luisacosta353]

I just buy t5 and someone told this transmission are not stronger but some people say they very good so you the expert tell me what’s your opinion

[@gfysyoutube]

Hey Eric what fluid are u adding to the t-5?

[@michaelbasten2671]

Ok so parden my lack of knowledge but I have a world class t5 out of a 89 camaro rs. the transmission shifts fine and I love it ! but I keep hearing that the t5 is a weak transmission and can't handle much torque. I put it in my 84 camaro with a 3.08 possi axle, 350 for an engine. about 400 hp. what can I do for a rebuild kit to make it stronger its just stock now? and any up grades you recommend.

[@themessermc2939]

did u find an answer i literally have an 89 rs and i want to 350 or ls swap it and want to know if the t-5 will handle the power

[@cobra454tim]

So is the T-56 designed off the T-5?

[@GearBoxVideo]

+cobra454tim Actually the center to center distances of the gears grew. The T5 morphed into the T45 which took the transmission to a coverless endloaded design with a larger center. Then the centers were increased larger and it became the T55. The T55 was never produced but The Legend Gear LGT700 is basically a recased T55. The T56 shared the same centers as the T55 but added a 6th gear. Since then I've lost count out the new variations of transmission models Tremec has come up with based on the T56 platform.

[@cobra454tim]

+GearBoxVideo Thanks Paul, really enjoyed this video with Eric.

[@GearBoxVideo]

+cobra454tim Appreciate that.

[@carlleonard7533]

Is there a gear set to rise the hp level to 500 hp?

[@karennajarro1502]

T5 is good transmission for my 1985 Pontiac trans am I goin to auto to manual swap ?

[@fastboatster]

What's the successor to t5? What's considered to be a "t6"?

[@Evrenthewrencher]

do u recommend a wc t5 for 350 small block with street tires AND NO POWERSHIFTING?

[@narciso19G]

Does anyone know where you can get a T5? Im wanting to put one on my 1981 datsun and i head that it fits on my car

[@PITTYNOTFOUND]

I got a t5 in a xf falcon

[@slimshady2777]

Guys . .anyone .. where can u buy t5 1st, 2nd gear syncro from .. ebey listings are few and far between . . who sells the genuine tremec spec ones ..

[@luisacosta353]

I just buy t5 and l have 383 stroker engine you think is good transmission for this engine

[@arseniosantiago7879]

Can you add a 6 gear to a T5 instead of getting a T56?

[@24theMoney]

LOL

[@axtra92]

This is same as a chevy t5?

[@johnsmith-sw7ii]

Interesting

[@24theMoney]

Foxbody Mustang made the T5 famous. Nobody cared about the 3rd gen Camaro/Firebirds since they never put the T-5 behind the 5.7L

[@09Mrsubaru]

Can use the T5 on a 2009 Subaru Impreza?

[@09Mrsubaru]

+09Mrsubaru *Can I

[@michiganborn8303]

I don't see how you can since you have a an AWD setup

[@09Mrsubaru]

Yah but if I installed a RWD gearbox it will transform to RWD.

[@michiganborn8303]

Have fun doing that. Sounds like a lot of work.

[@SaintAndSinner99]

Can I put a T5 transmission in my 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis?

[@2boredfortv]

+DaKappaMAN guessing that it is an auto which I'm 99% it is, you would have alot of money, time, and work tied up in that project. You would be better off just finding a cheap mustang with a T5 already in it.

[@chilledboost1982]

didn't the cosworth run the T9?

[@GearBoxVideo]

+Jeff R Yes some did run the Type 9. The T5 was used in certain Sierra models for a limited time.

[@chilledboost1982]

I had an xr4ti with a t9.. then it got a t5 swap when it failed

[@GearBoxVideo]

+Jeff R Most people don't remember the Merkurs. The Type 9 was actually a 5 speed version of the old Ford Pinto 4 speed. British made. Used the 1 x 23 spline input shaft. Its amazing that there are more aftermarket companies making alloy cases and parts for these.

[@porkypie5830]

im confused is the ford uk type 9 5 speed a t5 with a different name

[@GearBoxVideo]

+PORKY PIE The Type 9 is not a T5. Its a smaller compact unit.

[@sanozi]

Hi , +1 subscriber to Paul channel

[@tootsie5052]

Put a '86 Chevy S-10 -T-5 trans behind my stock engine '53 Chevy pickup. It's like a different truck.

[@b.s.adventures9421]

Jeep as well

[@SuperBombbud]

didn't they put the t5 into camaros and firebirds?

[@DrewLSsix]

1:06 did you even watch the video?

[@Tool0GT92]

Did my 87 tbird turbo couple have a t5? Because when I sold it the car had 220k miles and shifted like brand new.

[@GearBoxVideo]

Yes they did

[@cobra454tim]

T60-60 ect?

[@mgza2007]

Fine for a cruiser, if you have real power and go to the track you need a t-56.

[@The_JEB]

the real question is... Can i put a t5 into my 97 f150... because i hate the bloody 3 speed auto w/ overdrive it has in it

[@DementedButtHole]

It bolts to a 302 and the 351w. You will have to come up with an appropriate combo of flywheel and clutch for the 351w application.

[@GearBoxVideo]

+Justin Bechtel Your best bet is to use a Tremec TKO. Not a T5. The TKO has some variable shifter locations and gear ratios that make it work better than a T5 pulled from a Mustang. The TKO was originally designed for the truck market so it is a better match.

[@ccrumbjr]

+Justin Bechtel If your f150 has the 4.2l V6 I believe it has the same pattern as the 302/351, so it may be doable.

[@The_JEB]

Ian Crumb its the 4.6L v8

[@ccrumbjr]

You may be better off finding a ZF-5speed from a F250/350 with a 5.4.

[@GilZu]

SsangYoung uses lots of Mercedes platforms

[@FordExplorer420]

wtf I want more ? videos

[@blackericdenice]

So once again, GM cheaped out like they did with TBI on their trucks.

[@GearBoxVideo]

+blackericdenice True GM issued the World Class in 1988 and Ford in 1985. Even at that there was a mix of Non World Class and World Class units in GM S10's in the 1990's

[@blackericdenice]

GearBoxVideo I'm glad I watch this video because I drove an 89 5.0 5 speed with 2.73 gears for 2 weeks. I know it had 2.73 because @ 60 mph the engine turn 1500 rpm and weak as hell.

[@grndragon2443]

to bad they didn't make the t-5 to handle being in a truck in stock form.

[@Tater4200]

Well mine just blew the fuck apart.....

[@billigerfusel]

Shit, I was hoping its about the VW T5....

[@mickish1953]

If you don't want to be picky why mention it?

[@jetjazz05]

Oh God... the TVR... what a batshit and horrible car that was. Well, must be a good transmission if they thought it could handle what the TVR was putting out.

[@joshuacollette1975]

The T5 is the worst transmission I've ever used!

[@Kirikaahurpiita]

Josh Collette, why