Newbie here - need help on 302/T5 combo - desperately!

[Speedchop]

Gents,
This is my first post so I guess a little introduction is in place! Fat, middle aged sales guy with two daughters and one, soon to be, wife. Talking Swedish most of the time.

I'm on a project and I'm a bit stuck so I need help. The car is an Austin Healey 3000 and I'm currently running it with a Rover V8/4 speed. I recently bought a Tremec T5 from a TVR Griffith -99 and the idea was tuning the old Rover lump and pair it with the T5. After looking at the Rover options I've decided to perhaps go for a Ford 302 instead. I've stumbled on a really nice 302 from -70 with about 360 bhp.

1000 buck question is if I can utilize the T5 together with the 302? If I remember right its a -248 T5 World Class. I know that I have to use a Ford bellhousing but what else? Would I end up in a world of hurt with new main shaft and cannibalized clutch and flywheel and whatever and whatnot?? Easy answer is to go for a Mustang T5 but I would rather keep the box I have... I know that one or two of you has done it - so, what do I need to do? Is it at all possible?

Any advice is highly appreciated!

Thanks in advance/ Jonas

[Slow M]

Hi Jonas,

Welcome.

For one thing, this is the Major Mods section of the TVR forum. There may be better places for you to post your question.

The T5, as used in Ford Small Block applications, uses a different input shaft from some others. You will need to verify that you have the right one. The differences are as follows:
Spline count
Length
Diameter of the nubbin that goes into the pilot bearing

As I recall, a T5 from a Camaro wouldn't work in a Ford, because the input shaft wouldn't reach the pilot bearing with a Ford bellhousing.

Do I remember correctly, that the world class version has bronze, rather than plastic synchro rings?

Have a look at this site, as well. http://forum.britishv8.org/

Bernard.

[Speedchop]

Agree that this might be the wrong forum but since the Box I have is from a TVR and I know that people has converted to 302s - I thought that the question is best answered in this forum.

If anyone has shoved a 302 into a Griffith keeping driveline intact, this should be a fairly easy question!

Thanks again/ Jonas

[Slow M]

There's a guy who put an '80s or '90s 5.0 injected motor into a red wedge. Sorry, don't recall the name.

B.

[Speedchop]

Ok, I've seen several articles about 302 in a Wedge. I dunno if it's the same gearbox though? If it's so it would be valid. However, it's probably a (slightly) different box in the older cars.

I've posted this question on several forums but it seem like a tricky question... I was so happy when I found this particular forum cos I was convinced that you guys would know!

Anyways, hope someone can enlighten me

Thanks/ Jonas

[Slow M]

Fox body Mustangs used the BW T5. I seem to remember the "world class" version to be TreMec's fix for the sad Borg Warner parts, after they bought that company's failing transmission division. If I'm right, your version of that box was available in the last pile of Fox Mustangs*, or as a retrofit. If so, you should be able to check part numbers against one another. TreMec uses Aluminium tags with numbers stamped on them, on some of their boxes. You may be able to use it in some sort of database.

You may also want to inquire in the Yank Tank forum.

(*Fox Mustang -sounds like some kind of fktard Ford gene splicing experiment.)

[Speedchop]

Thanks guys,
I'll have a look at the forum! I've tried to work through the code on the T5 but it only reveals that the box is a TVR WC.. nothing about how its configured. I have a 23 spline input shaft with a dia of approx 25.8 mm. I know that some Fords use the (or a?) 23 spline. Is that the same or..? I dunno! Maybe it's (like stated before) a simple bolt-on type of deal or a virtual nightmare cos I'll end up with a mix if parts from TVR/Ford. If I'm lucky it's an easy swap, just a matching bellhousing and I'm good to go! But hey, we were on the moon in 69 so I guess everything is possible Just a matter of effort!

Thanks - I'll keep grinfing until someone tells me that I'm on the wrong track or it's workable.

BR/ Jonas

[Slow M]

While you're at it, measure the input bearing support flange diameter (corresponds to hole in BH). There are two diameters available. I'd go with a steel bellhousing (scattershield), for the added safety it brings with it.

Good luck,
B.

[aerospoke]

Hi there

This might help:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Or ask Speed eight in a PM. His profile:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?h=0...

Cheers Jens

[Speedchop]

Guys,
Thanks a lot for the effort you put into this question! I've done some good thinking and I completely reverted my plan. Gearbox was not an easy bolt-on to the 302... New mainshaft and whatever and whatnot.

Decided to keep the car British - opted for a TVR Chim 400 HC instead. Will be shipped to Sweden any dy now. I figured that the friggin car will perform decently with the 900 kgs dry weight anyway. I was for a moment blinded by having silly power under the hood

Since it's a pure TVR driveline, maybe I can hang here occationally to get some decent advice!

Again, thanks

Cheers/ Jonas