Here’s How…
Install A 1971-73 Mustang/Cougar Five-Speed
At Modern Driveline, we’re well known for great classic Mustang and Cougar five-speed swap packages where all you need is the desire, energy, and a weekend to get the job done. You can go from straight drive automatic or stick to efficient overdrive in the time it would take you to mow and trim the yard over a weekend. If you get hung up with a technical problem we’re here to help you through it with close, personalized tech support from enthusiasts who understand your challenges because we’ve been there ourselves. We own and drive the great performance cars you’re passionate about.
It’s a gorgeous summer day in suburban Boise, Idaho where we’re installing a TREMEC T5 five-speed transmission in the “Rebuilding Generations” ’71 Mustang convertible along with a Modern Driveline cable clutch upgrade for smooth clutching and shifting. The TREMEC T5 from Modern Driveline, which has been in continuous production since the early 1980s, maintains its great reputation as a lightweight, easy to shift, durable five-speed overdrive transmission.
The real beauty of the T5 is size and weight. It fits the classics and it also fits the late-model Fox body and SN-95 Mustangs.
Let’s get started.
SIDEBAR 1
Modern Driveline T5 Quick Tech
Introduced in the early 1980s the T-5 has evolved to become an extremely versatile 5-speed that fits nearly every application imaginable. In its more than three-decade history of great overdrive performance, the TREMEC T5 has been installed as original equipment in a variety of vehicles, from pick-up trucks and SUV’s to the fun-to-drive 1979-95 5.0L High Output Mustang. Today, the T5 still enjoys service as an original equipment unit in many applications around the world while remaining popular in the performance aftermarket. Dollar-for-dollar, pound-for-pound, the T5 is the smoothest-shifting and most reliable five-speed manual transmission in the world.
Easily accepting up to 300 lb-ft of torque capacity, the TREMEC T5 is not only durable but offers easy operation and a very efficient overdrive making any vintage or late-model Ford great fun to drive with fuel to spare when the drive is over.
T5 Performance Facts
- Just 75 pounds dry
- 300 ft/lb Torque Capacity
- Buttery smooth shift quality
- Most popular light-duty five-speed in the world
- Main/Countershaft Distance – 77 mm
- Overdrive in fifth gear for fuel economy and less wear
- Aluminum die-cast housings for reduced weight
- Tapered roller bearings on main and countershafts reduce noise and improve durability
- Needle bearing under 1st through 4th gears improve high-speed performance and reduce shift effort
- Advanced synchronizer technology
- Powdered steel core blocker rings
- Engineered friction materials for improved durability
- Double cone design for lower shift effort
- Patented strut-type design for improved durability
- Sliding idler reverse for simple, reliable design
- Internal, single-rail shift system
- Reverse brake option allows immediate shift into reverse without clashing
- Multiple shift lever locations
- Adaptable to 4-wheel drive applications
Car Transmission Specifications
| TREMEC Part Number |
Weight (lbs) |
Torque Cap. (lbs-ft) |
Gear Ratio Chart | |||||
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | Rev | |||
| 1352-000-208 | 75 | 175-230 | 3.35 | 1.99 | 1.33 | 1.00 | 0.68 | 3.15 |
| 1352-000-238 | 75 | 175-230 | 3.35 | 1.93 | 1.29 | 1.00 | 0.72 | 3.15 |
| 1352-000-239 | 75 | 175-231 | 3.35 | 1.99 | 1.32 | 1.00 | 0.68 | 3.15 |
| 1352-000-245 | 75 | 175-233 | 3.75 | 2.19 | 1.41 | 1.00 | 0.72 | 3.53 |
| 1352-000-247 | 75 | 175-230 | 3.75 | 2.19 | 1.41 | 1.00 | 0.72 | 3.53 |
| 1352-000-248 | 75 | 175-231 | 2.95 | 1.94 | 1.34 | 1.00 | 0.8 | 2.76 |
| 1352-000-249 | 75 | 300 | 2.95 | 1.94 | 1.34 | 1.00 | 0.63 | 2.76 |
| 1352-000-251 | 75 | 300 | 2.95 | 1.94 | 1.34 | 1.00 | 0.63 | 2.76 |
| 1352-000-254 | 75 | 175-230 | 3.35 | 1.99 | 1.33 | 1.00 | 0.83 | 3.15 |
| 1352-000-259 | 75 | 175-230 | 3.75 | 2.19 | 1.41 | 1.00 | 0.72 | 3.53 |
| 1352-000-260 | 75 | 175-230 | 3.35 | 1.99 | 1.33 | 1.00 | 0.68 | 3.15 |
| TTET1239 | 75 | 175-230 | 2.95 | 1.94 | 1.34 | 1.00 | 0.8 | 2.76 |
| TTET1544 | 75 | 220 | 3.35 | 1.99 | 1.33 | 1.00 | 0.68 | 3.15 |
| TTET1798 | 75 | 220 | 3.35 | 1.99 | 1.33 | 1.00 | 0.68 | 3.15 |
Light Truck Specifications:
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The Rebuilding Generations ’71 Mustang convertible is a My Deals LLC and Calvary Chapel of Eagle, Idaho adult/youth group project bringing young and old together in a genuine spirit of learning and growing from building a classic car together. Modern Driveline’s Bruce Couture hosted and sponsored this Rebuilding Generations five-speed swap where power-train fundamentals were explained to young and old alike. We are proud to have been associated with an effort to bring the young and the elder experienced together in such a positive way.
Modern Driveline’s performance-proven five-speed manual overdrive transmission from TREMEC has been an industry mainstay for more than three decades in a huge variety of applications around the world. If you’re doing a simple five-speed upgrade and your engine’s maximum torque range is below 300 ft/lbs, the T5 is an affordable choice that will serve you well for years to come. What’s more, Modern Driveline offers parts, service, and great personalized technical support.
Experience the MDL Difference,
- We extend Tremec’s factory warranty by an extra year… and that’s from the date of install.
- We offer the best in the industry customer service.
- When you purchase a complete MDL Conversion Package you get, life-time technical support.
Here’s the complete Modern Driveline five-speed swap package ready to go for the Rebuilding Generations ‘71 Mustang project including a new TREMEC T5 transmission, engine separator plate, Superior clutch, flywheel, crossmember mount, and all required hardware, shifter, new Modern Driveline bellhousing, and Amsoil DEXRON III transmission fluid.
Bruce Couture of Modern Driveline stresses the need for Teflon thread sealer on all small-block Ford V-8 flywheel to crankshaft bolt threads because these bolt holes go directly into the crankcase. He adds not using a suitable sealer will cause oil leakage into the bellhousing.
He also points out the need to install new bolts due to stretch and fatigue issues. Never reuse old bolts.
Flywheel bolts are installed and torqued in one-third values to 75-85 ft/lbs in crisscross fashion for uniform seating.
Modern Driveline strongly suggests checking bellhousing alignment with a magnetic dial indicator. Even with a factory original engine, bellhousing misalignment can still happen to cause clutch malfunction and driveline binding.
Once an engine is rebuilt and line honed, this issue is even more critical because it changes crankshaft centering as it relates to the flywheel, clutch, and transmission.
Ideally, you will have zero to no more than 0.005-inch alignment issues (0.010-inch total of 360 degrees or double 0.005-inch). Rotate the crankshaft 360 degrees or one full revolution and watch the dial indicator.
Alignment should not be any more than zero to 0.005-inch total out in any direction. A misaligned bellhousing can be corrected by checking alignment dowels for debris or using offset dowels available from Modern Driveline.
Our new Superior diaphragm performance clutch from Modern Driveline is cleaned with a ‘high-evaporate’ solvent like brake cleaner and a tack cloth.
Flywheel surfaces get the same treatment to prevent clutch friction contamination.
Clutch disc and pressure plate are positioned using the installation tool provided in the kit. You can use the provided clutch alignment tool or a discarded transmission input shaft.
Bolts are treated to a thread locker and torqued to 12-20 ft/lbs in a crisscross fashion.
Always use a minimum Grade 8 fasteners and lock washers. ARP hardware is always and option.
Cable style clutch fork and release bearing are installed in the Modern Driveline cast aluminum bellhousing because we’re doing a Modern Driveline cable clutch conversion.
The release bearing is a constant duty cycle meaning it rides the clutch fingers and spins all the time. For proper clutch operation, there needs to be cable tension all the time to get a smooth release.
Make sure the trans has fluid in it before hoisting it up into the car as it is much easier to do at this stage.
Bruce Couture (right) explains T5 function and proper installation to the Rebuilding Generations group while securing the new TREMEC for installation.
“Because the T5 is compact and lightweight, it is easily installed with a vehicle on jack-stands in your garage. It is lighter than a cast-iron Ford Top Loader or Borg-Warner T-10, which makes for easy installation.”
Bruce guides the Modern Driveline TREMEC T5 into position using a transmission jack showing Rebuilding Generations how to get the input shaft lined up with the new Superior clutch disc.
This is where the bellhousing alignment check demonstrated earlier pays off because installation is a snap.
Modern Driveline transmission cross-member for 1971-73 Mustang and Cougar is installed along with transmission mount.
Modern Driveline/TREMEC T5 transmission is equipped with a back-up light switch, which is connected to the factory back-up light wiring leads. This is an easy modification to make.
Don’t forget your speedo cable attachment.
Next: Fit your driveshaft
Completed Modern Driveline five-speed conversion looks terrific and is ready for operation.
Modern Driveline has custom in steel, aluminum, or super lightweight carbon fiber to complete this installation.
Check-in with us for more details. 208-453-9800 or info@moderndriveline.com
The Modern Driveline T5’s shifter location is perfectly centered in the 1971-73 Mustang/Cougar transmission tunnel. All you need now is the shifter handle and boot.
What’s more, you may opt for a stock handle and boot for a stealthy appearance.
Click the mustang below for more on conversion kits
