Swing Shift – FORD MUSCLE

By Modern Driveline • August 07, 2019 Posted in Magazine Articles, Special Interest

By Chirag Asaravala. Assembly performed by Bruce Couture, Modern Driveline.

For small block Ford enthusiasts the T5 manual transmission may be the greatest thing since sliced bread. With five fully synchronized forward gears, overdrive, an internal shift-rail mechanism and the ability to handle over 300 lb-ft of torque, the T5 is easily the number one choice of anyone considering an auto to manual transmission conversion. The compact dimensions and feather-like weight (75 lbs.) also makes it well suited for competition oriented Mustangs to restomoded Falcons and Comets looking for a modernized drivetrain.

Subsequent to the T5 the only worthwhile manual gear box to put behind a modified, yet street driven, small block Ford was the tremendously popular Ford four speed “Top-Loader”. Other manual transmissions were certainly available to put behind a 302 engine, such as the Borg Warner T10, the English sourced Dagenham four-speed (factory option in most 60’s Mustangs and Falcons). However none of these transmissions offered overdrive, perhaps the single biggest reason that enthusiasts seek out a T5 transmission swaps. The four-speed SROD’s boxes had overdrive, but not suitable behind any significant power levels.