5 Speed Conversion

[petew]

I am just finishing up installing a T5 5 speed in my 30 Coupe using a kit from modela5speed.com which was formerly called Valley Machine.

I had originally wanted a mitchell overdrive and one of their transmissions but didn't want to wait until december or past that to get it .
Plus in speaking with the owner at Mitchell ( great guy ) he is having to outsource a lot of work because he is short on staff and as a result the prices will go up. I would imagine the total will be at or above $6,000 for the Mitchell package all in by the time I could get one . that's components , core charges and shipping but no tax.

The kit I purchased cost me less than $3k shipped and the transmission can be found for very reasonable money used or you can buy a fresh unit from a rebuilder which is what I did.

The kit was fun to install but more involved than the Mitchell and of course makes the car a little less original but should make the car easier to drive in modern traffic and my wife will now be able to drive it.

This is what worked for me and may not be everyones idea of a good modification but it is a viable option.

I have a bunch of pictures of the installation if anyone is interested in seeing them.

Pete

 

[Jim Brierley]

You've made a good choice! T-5's have a variety of ratios available, too late to choose. If it is now open-drive, I hope the rear end is well anchored.

 

[petew]

I believe it will stay put . Also I welded the seams on the radius arms

 

[Phil Brown]

Is that locating bar above the driveshaft part fo there kit or something that you came up with ?
Looks nice

 

[nkaminar]

Pete, Very nice work. Your work has always impressed me when I visited your shop.

 

[johnneilson]

Pete, it looks great!

I had purchased a car years ago and the top link ripped out during a 1/4 mile run.
It was not constructed nearly as well as yours, nice job.

I would suggest looking at the fork extension on the radius arms too, maybe adding in some shear web will help.

John

 

[petew]

Thanks for the kind words and interest.
Here are a few more pictures.

 

[petew]

Everything you see is part of the kit with the exception of the 1/8" steel plate
I made to tie the crossmember back together after I had to cut it for transmission clearance.
Eddie Pruett the man that makes the kit does a nice job.

 

[Gene F]

Pete, If I were unable to find a Borg-Warner, I'd likely go the route you did. That looks super good. Was it bolt-in, or did you have to modify anything?

The steel plate you made...why did you need that?

So Mitchell is outsourcing work....bad idea. At least that is my experience. If you know what I mean.

 

[petew]

It is necessary to notch the crossmember to fit this ****** and I hate to do anything like that.
The plate gives a finished look and helps tie the crossmember back together somewhat.
I would also point out that two additional crossmembers are added to the chassis with this kit .
One holds the third link that runs forward from the rear end and the other holds the transmission mount .
The cap I made is probably not necessary but it makes me feel good !

 

[JimG1127]

That is one clean car! Beautiful job! When I bought my A it already had the T5 installed. It shifts like butter! The only issue I have right now is the speedo doesn't work. I took the speedo out and tested it and it is good. So the cable which runs a very convoluted path to the differential is likely the problem. When I get a chance I'll do a little more digging.

 

[Gene F]

Good info, thanks.

How long to put it in?

 

[Gene F]

Jim, some things just make an A more practical. Heavy duty radiator, cast iron drums, and an overdrive/modern transmission. Once you get your A to a point like this you want to drive it all the time. Errands, church, post office, you just enjoy it so much more.

 

[petew]

Pete, If I were unable to find a Borg-Warner, I'd likely go the route you did. That looks super good. Was it bolt-in, or did you have to modify anything?

The steel plate you made...why did you need that?

So Mitchell is outsourcing work....bad idea. At least that is my experience. If you know what I mean.

As it turns out I have a couple of Borg Warner electric overdrive units on spare transmissions that I have for my 51 Ford. Having driven a friends model A which has a 5 speed I think the 5 speed really makes the most of that 40 horsepower .
The 5 speed is a bolt in job with the only mods to the car being the crossmember , floorboards because the shifter and ebrake move closer to the seat and you have to shorten the ebrake rod.
The T5 requires some mods but they are easy and minor.

 

[Gene F]

Did they sell you a beefed up front wishbone?

A modern transmission with synchronzers means you can keep the engine int he power range, without keeping the revs up where it chews up the babbit. Really saves on the car...

 

[Gene F]

Under $3,000...gosh I spent over $5,000 on my engine. And it is not even a Burtz.

 

[JimG1127]

I agree with you Gene. Tomorrow I'm putting in a new Brassworks heavy duty radiator. A leak less water pump. An aluminum fan to replace my original. After that turn signals. My 7 tooth steering box has a lot of slop so I'm thinking about a Mel Gross steering column.

 

[petew]

Good info, thanks.

How long to put it in?

Kit arrived about two weeks ago and I will probably drive the car tomorrow after I finish installing the floorboards and the cut to fit floor mat that I got from Snyders.
It got the cast iron drums and Flathead Ted floaters also but that work was completed while I waited for the kit.

Took about 3 weeks to get the kit once ordered , one week of that was shipping.

 

[petew]

Did they sell you a beefed up front wishbone?

A modern transmission with synchronzers means you can keep the engine int he power range, without keeping the revs up where it chews up the babbit. Really saves on the car...

Wishbone is original

 

[Gene F]

Pete, one of the guys in our club put in a S-10 trans, and he was on tour and stepped on it, and he heard his snap. He told me he likes his, but you gotta have that front wishbone re-enforced.

Maybe I'm just being "over kill", but I sure hate calling for a tow truck.