T-5 overdrives

Logan

Logan

Well-known member
Has anyone used these borgewarner t-5 Overdrives? I'm itching to build a speedster now, after competing in a hill climb competition last week, but i dont have a lot of cash laying around for the other synchronized overdrives. I was just wondering how people liked them, and if they were worth the money.
 
If your interested there are several threads on the HAMB board under the banger threads about installing the S-10 T-5's in model A's, crazydaddyo built the parts for his and there is some great tech he shared.
 
I have one and they are great, IMHO. I can keep up with the
interstate crowd when needed. Normally I lke to drive in the
45-55 mph range, but can do 70. That's kind of scarry with the
21" tires! The car also has a HC head. About once a month
I drive to a small town about 50 miles away at about 60-65
mph without the feeling that I am about to bust a gut, lol. Not
having to double clutch is nice. The engine is a stock "A."
Hope this helps.

Jack
 
Jack '29 Sport Coupe said:
I have one and they are great, IMHO. I can keep up with the
interstate crowd when needed. Normally I lke to drive in the
45-55 mph range, but can do 70. That's kind of scarry with the
21" tires! The car also has a HC head. About once a month
I drive to a small town about 50 miles away at about 60-65
mph without the feeling that I am about to bust a gut, lol. Not
having to double clutch is nice. The engine is a stock "A."
Hope this helps.

Jack
Click to expand...

Jack,
How did you handle the drive shaft and radius rod issues? I have read all the tech articles on the HAMB and even a few elsewhere and have not made my mind up which way I want to do it.
Aaron
 
Fro said:
If your interested there are several threads on the HAMB board under the banger threads about installing the S-10 T-5's in model A's, crazydaddyo built the parts for his and there is some great tech he shared.
Click to expand...


Yes. Do a search there for crazydaddyo and t-5 in the torque tube. His adaption allows the use of the torque tube so basically it's all stock except for the ******. And some x-member mods.
 
Here are some pictures of Dan's setup - I took these at Bob's Big Boy Broiler in Downey LA last year.
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Here's an alternative method that does not require any mods to the transmission.
This pic is of a Richmond transmission but I have done them with T5's the same way.
 

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I installed an S-10 T-5 using the Auto Restorations kit. Much more work than anticipated, but the Synchro is reall nice.

As for the radius rods, with the Auto Restorations Kit, they attach to a plate below the T-5 Transmission, in a similar position to the original attachment point. A concern with using the original radius rods, is with the Torque Tube removed, the old radius rods may not be strong enough. Auto restorations sells new radius rods that are stronger. He has two types, one that mounts like the original and a "Split" set that mount to the frame (the brackets are not included). Better to check with Auto Restorations.

As for the drive shaft, the Auto Restorations kit comes with an open drive shaft and an adapter to convert the Model A rear end to an open drive line. This works fine.

The Brake Cross Shaft has to be relocated because of the size of the Transmission. The Brake Conversion is a little difficult the way recommended with the kit, so I changed it to a way the I liked better.

There are a lot of small things that require rework to make the conversion work. I wrote a procedure to use with the conversion as to how I did it. This was my way, maybe not the best way. The directions supplied with the kit require some understanding.

The procedure was too large to post, but if someone wants it, email me Beers.b@comcast.net and I will send it to you.

Bob
 
Here are some pictures of the conversion that Steve Serr did using the adapter I make. He sells the whole thing as a kit. Bell housing pedal brackets, E-brake mount, torque tube adapter. Everything needed to do the conversion to the stock model A running gear.

.
 

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Another way to go is to use a Volvo M40 gearbox out of a PV 544, 121/122/221/222 Amazon or 142/144/ early 242. Don't know how easy they are to find "overthere" but here in Scandinavia they are plentyfull and can be bought for 3-500 dkr ($50-85), if you don't get them at "just pick it up!"-price (free!).
I've run different M40 (and a single M41 - M40 with Laylock overdrive) in the seven years, I've been driving the old Volvos, and I have never had any troubles with them! Volvo also approved the Amazons up to 150 horsepower, with some brake updates.
Still needs some modifications, though. But Artiki made a nice thread on HAMB about it: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=168654&highlight=tech
When I get to that project, I'll post my version on the swap in there too! :)

But for the BW-T5 threads: I found four, but I haven't read them (one is on 11 pages!), so there should be plenty of info on the subject! :)
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92170
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98712
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=254739&page=3
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=256226
 
This is the Auto Restoration kit. i made the reinforcing piece before cutting the cross member. I used 1/4" X 1-1/2" flat stock welded both side on the wishbones for added strength.
 

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The Jeep 4x4 trans is @ 5": shorter then the S-10 4x4 trans.
The S-10 4x4 trans works better for the Model A closed drive conversion because it extends the rear flange of the trans behind the center cross member.

.
 
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Wow, the Serr installation is TRICK! I especially like the hidden crossmember that goes inside the stock center crossmember. Are those later V8 rear radius rods? Is that an aluminum adapter to go from the flywheel housing to the ****** or is that a Ford piece?
 
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