changing a 3-speed transmission to a 5-speed ('66 Ford Mustang)?

Question

My 1966 Ford Mustang has a 3-speed transmission, and i was wondering what i would have to do to put in a 5-speed. Also how much would it cost, and what are the benefits of a 5-speed compared to a 3-speed.
Thanks

Answer 1

It depends on if you have a six or v8 and how far you're going with it. To take full advantage of the sweet package, you have to change the rear-end gears to match the overdrive tranny.



The stock 3.00 doesn't work well with the OD 5 speed. You can get better gears for the 8 inch, but the one in the six will have to be upgraded to a 8 inch too.



You also need a new cross member, drive-line and cable clutch. With all that and the transmission, your looking at 2 or 3 thousand dollars.



1965-1966 Mustang Small Block Complete T-5 Conversion Rated at 450hp Includes transmission - If you're changing over from an automatic, you will need the pedal parts here!



$3879.95/kit from Dan B's link



The six gets decent mileage, so it's not worth the price for a couple more miles to a gallon.



ON the V8, it's usually a complete package with built motor, disc brakes and the 5 speed tops it all off with decent mileage while allowing you to runs some low acceleration gears like 3.73's.

Answer 2

Mustang 5 Speed Transmission

Answer 3

Ford 3 Speed Transmission

Answer 4

To put in a 5-speed, you'll have to buy a conversion kit plus extra parts to install the kit. They make them for V8 and 6-cyl engines.



http://www.mustangdepot.com/OnLineCatalog/Transmission/t5-conversion.htm



The benefits aren't really (to me) worth the expense unless the 5th gear is of a higher ratio than the existing 3rd gear on the 3-speed transmission. That would give you better gas mileage because you could be running the engine at a lower RPM for the same vehicle speed that the 3-speed transmission offers. But it does give you better control over the most efficient engine speed.

Answer 5

Overdrive 5 gear for better mpg. Smoother shifts not like a truck anymore. Need an adapter kit for like $400, but every else matches. The kit makes the swap even simply.

Answer 6

FIRST THING you need to do is to make sure your getting a good, clean disengagement of the clutch disc. If the input shaft is still being driven by a less than positive released clutch, the shift collar teeth are gonna grnind against the pre-engagment teeth. Have you tried putting your foot BEHIND the clutch pedal and pulling it towards the seat........you may hear it click (self-adjusting). If it doesn't, it may be the clutch cable is frayed or stretched. If this is sa hydrauic clutch, you may be low on fluid in the clutch master cylinder.

Answer 7

i did an early fox body swap, std 4 spd to t5, the difference was amazing. no change in mileage, but it woke up.

looks like your pretty much bolt in though with the kit in the link above.

you dont need a fancy clutch setup, but you do need a 6 spring friction disc. the stock 5 spring disc will have broken springs in no time. ford has a stock clutch disc for i believe a truck that goes right in. i never broke another spring.no need for the monster aftermarket discs.