5th gear ratio in T5

[newBDR]

I'm very unhappy with how tall my 5th gear is. From other posts I think T5's come with .68 or .83 (or close to that). I'm assuming mine is .68 since I cruise at 75mph turning about 2000 rpm. you think it's cheaper to get a shop to change the ratio, or just trade the tranny for another one. What are my options if I don't want to spend a lot of $?

[Excaliber]

I think only the World Class T5 is the one that comes with the lower OD gear ratio, buying a new trans is out dollar wise.

Only other option is to change the rear gear. While your in there you might consider also going with a limited slip unit. There is no free lunch.

[Woodz428]

All the T-5s that have been listed in the Ford Motorsports catalogs back to '85 use a .63 OD gear,except the ones for 4 cylinders. They made a couple of different first gear ratios. I think you would be better off changing your rear gear to suit the rpm range you want. It would also make the lower gears work better.

[newBDR]

na, I don't want to effect 1st through 4th, which is what changing the rear would do.

[Excaliber]

And you make a good point Ray. Those lower gears, in particular 1st and 2nd are real important to get "right". To low, and well traction becomes to serious a problem and 1st becomes useless. Your in a tough spot all right, sounds like a Richmond trans with an almost endless variety of gear ratios would be the ultimate solution.

Gear ratio's, hardly anybody has a "perfect" setup, it's always a balancing act.

[Woodz428]

A Tremec 5 spd has a few different ratios also, I'm not sure but believe they are a little less costly than a Richmond.

[jarendall]

I am running a T5 worldclass with the stainless steel gears, have put it in fifth gear maybe a couple times, usely use first thru fourth, ran the car up to 130mph and stuck it in fifth the rpm dropped to 3800, I am running a 8.8 rear with 3.27 gears and the clutch type antislip differential, you will most likely have to go to another transmisson to get more power out of fifth gear, most people who change out the T5 go to a tremec 3550

[GAM]

Check this web site out for info on T-5. There is a chart on differant ratio,s in a T-5 http://www.ddperformance.com/index.htm
Look under Ford w/c ID chart

[Excaliber]

I'd suggest an OD gear ratio in the .8 range, something closer to "1". 1 to 1 is: One revolution of the crankshaft equals one revolution of the drive shaft. Assume .5 for a minute, that one HALF rev of the crank per one WHOLE rev of the drive shaft. Thus, .63 (typical ratio on T5) represents a huge drop in rpm. .8 is like 8/10ths of a crank rev, much better.

[RallySnake]

Ray,

There are lots of ways to look at this problem. I'd like to give you a different one. The gear ratios you have are perfect for a torquey, low-revving stroker engine. Just wait until your engine wears out, then build a monster!

Paul