Bob's Resource Website (2007)

Dan Giblin's T5 Adapter (September 2007)


(Click on images for larger size)


Here are the pictures of my 5 speed adapter kit.
Whats included:
3/8 machined and blanchard ground plate adapter
4 X alloy 7/16-14 flathead bolts
4 X 7/16-20 grade 5 bolts
throwout bearing
bronze flanged pilot bearing
and loctite.

adapterkit006.jpg adapterkit007.jpg
See how much of the bearing
retainer is piloted in the bell
adapterkit008.jpg adapterkit010.jpg adapterkit011.jpg
adapterkit012.jpg

I will also machine your bearing retainer to fit the stude bellhousing. Every part is CNC machined and test fit to ensure proper alignment. The kit is designed to convert the narrow pattern 4 speed to a Ford syle, 5 speed T5 or the hi performance Tremec 3550 and TKO models.
If you are interested give me a call at 513-252-3066 or email at Dan Giblin
Price is $279


Q&A


(59R2)
/////What is the over all length of the plate plus trans and what yoke would it take ?
Does the yoke use spicer u-jionts or would we need to graft an end on our driveshaft?
Would the trans accept our speedo drive ?
(gibbsR1) The trans and plate is 24.5" long. I found yokes on ebay for about $40. The DS will need to be shortened, and no special end is required. There is an adapter u-joint that works, ask your DS guy. The speedo gear does not work, same diameter but the projection is too short. You will need the t5 speedo gear to adapt.
(Flat Ernie)
///// Did you adapt the two-piece driveshaft or convert to single driveshaft?
What was your solution for the speedo cable - custom? If so, where & how much did it cost?
where does the shifter end up? Would one of those more forward spots work better or not?/////
(gibbsR1)
The shifter is not too far off. It is about 2 inches foreward on my avanti, However, it is an easy fix. I believe is it spot on in a hawk, Nels? In the larks it is further back but easily dealt with, with a small adapter or "c" style shifter.
(59R2)
/////What is the over all length of the plate plus trans and what yoke would it take ? dose the yoke use spicer u-jionts or would we need to graf an end on our driveshaft?Would the trans accept our speedo drive ?
(gibbsR1)
The trans and plate is 24.5" long. I found yokes on ebay for about $40. The DS will need to be shortened, and no special end is required. There is an adapter u-joint that works, ask your DS guy. The speedo gear does not work, same diameter but the projection is too short. You will need the t5 speedo gear to adapt.
(59R2)
/////Did you adapt the two-piece driveshaft or convert to single driveshaft?

What was your solution for the speedo cable - custom? If so, where & how much did it cost?

Also - where does the shifter end up? Would one of those more forward spots work better or not?

(gibbsR1)
The shifter is not too far off. It is about 2 inches foreward on my avanti, However, it is an easy fix. I believe it is spot on in a Hawk, NELS? In the Larks, it is further back but easily dealt with with a small adapter or "c" style shifter.
The speed is a quick $15 fix at your local speedo shop.....
Isn't there something about the truck bell and mounting it to the crossmember that is different, this is just what I heard.
Yes, Tom you have the correct bell, you need a TKO, not a T5.
I had my driveshaft shortened and an adapter, u joint, installed to work with the T5.

I have 5 kits made, and will not make any more until I sell these. For one week I will sell them for $225, to get me out of the red. If you are interested call! Dan 513-2523-3066

(Nelson Bove)
Dan,
I believe the Avanti shifter sets back a little further than the Lark/Hawk. If I remember correctly the Avanti shifter attaches to the rear most holes on the extension housing of the stock 4 spd and the Lark/Hawk bolts to the forward set of holes. I think the shifter will come out in about the right spot for a Lark/Hawk installation. If it is off a little a person could probably live with it or weld an offset onto the shifter as you did....really an easy job.
I will say, after driving my 63 GT and driving Dan's Avanti, both with the 5 spd, you definetley get the best of all worlds. Great acceleration and good fuel economy and drivability. My 63 GT with a 289 2 brl was getting 14 mpg on the road. I switched to a hopped up 259 with the 5 spd and a 3.73 gear and added ac and get 24 honest mpg on the road. It is now a fun car that I can drive across the country or play at the traffic lights.
(SBCA96)
I assume my '63 T86 bellhousing isnt the correct one.....
(Alan)
Yes Tom, The bellhousing in the pic. is a T86 like your Avanti. You don't need a plate for the Truck housing.
(SBCA96)
More questions for myself and I am sure others are curious. I have a
manual trans, but I am VERY unfamilar with the pieces. I bought the
complete T56 from flywheel to tailshaft, so I have considerable cash
in that direction already ... but I like to get more info.
1. What clutch/pressure plate does it end up using?

2. You mention a TKO for the extra strength I assume?

3. What modifications are required to the TKO? In the future would it
be difficult to get a replacement in the event of a cracked case?

For the install, what is required? Does the engine have to be pulled
in order to install the kit? Or does it simply come down to a remove
and place type swap? Sorry if these are "dumb" questions, I am versed
in automatics, but I like my Avanti staying a manual.

(gibbsR1)
It uses the stude flywheel so the pressure plate can stay the same, I have a center force dual friction in mine. Depending on the trans you select determines what disc you will need. Most all t5s have the 1 1/8 x 10 splined imput shaft, same as your avanti, and all stude T-10s. The tremec 3550 also has the 10 spline input shaft. However, the TKO (stronger version t5 and replaced the 3550) has the fine spline input shaft. It has a 1 1/8 x 26 splined shaft. So of you go to a tko you will need to change your clutch disc. Yes the TKO is much stronger then a t5, It is reccomended you buy a TKO or 3550 if you are going to be driving hard. The gears are larger and made of a stringer alloy, to name a few reasons. A new case is about $220 from D&D, not to bad to replace, I did it on mine. Installing it is the same as replacing the clutch. No reason to pull the engine. As far as your t56, I dont think it will fit. Unless you want to hack all of your tunnel out.
(Flat Ernie)
Dan - did you retain your two-piece driveshaft or convert to a one-piece when you shortened it??
(gibbsR1)
I kept the same driveshaft, just had it shorteneed a few inches, doesn't matter what side. When you say two piece do you mean the shaft and the slip yoke? If so what is a one piece?
(Nelson Bove)
The Avanti has a one piece drive shaft as do later Hawks and all Larks. The early Studes, in the mid fifties and earlier had two piece DS's with a center support bearing. I would assume you would only shorten the front DS section and the change over would work. Did the two piece have a slip yoke? If not or even if it does, a slip yoke to fit the Tremec would need to be added in place of the existing.
(SBCA96)
Thats correct, a buddy of mine put a Corvette TH700R4 into his 56 Hawk
and kept the 2 piece driveshaft. He just modified the short shaft and
left the rear shaft alone. Easy as cake.

Now back to the T5 vs TKO .. I was doing some research (which usually brings up more problems) and I found this info :

"Ford 3550, a step up from a T-5z with 3.27 first gear and a .68od. Torque rate increased to 375ft/lbs. The input shaft has the same 10 spline input shaft as that of a 93 and earlier T-5. The Tremec main case bolt pattern is different than the T-5 so a Tremec bellhousing is needed when switching out a T-5."

"Ford TKO transmission has the same layout and gear ratio as the 3550 but with stronger 26 spline input shaft and 31 spline output shaft and stronger 3rd gear. It is torque rated to 450ft/lbs. A new 31 spline slip yoke is provided with every new TKO that is compatible with the standard u-joints."

This concerns me, if I am reading this correctly, the T5 kit can not
be used with a TKO, unless the bolt pattern is changed on your plate.
Maybe I am missing something.

Tremec sounds like the way to go, their shifter points are pretty customizable :

"Tremec transmissions can be shifted from three different locations. Front, Mid, and Rear. From the factory they are configured as a rear shift. To change the location, a mid or front shift kit are install and the rear shifter location is capped off with a plate that is provided."

Press release :
New for 2004
Tremec is changing its line of 3550 and TKO for 2004. (Press Release) The 3550 will be replaced by the TKO 500 and the TKO will now be called TKO 600. Several changes are taking place in the new line up. The all new line of Tremec TKO 5 speed transmission are the most versatile, strongest transmission ever produced. With eight available shift positions, three unique cross member mounting configurations, three available input shafts, optional gear ratios, dual electronic and mechanical speedometer pick-ups, neutral safety switch, and back-up light switch, this transmission does it all!

How was this transmission improved? The 83mm center distance was maintained, and upgraded the counter shaft from a 3 piece to a one piece. All the gears and shafts were upgraded to a higher alloy steel, while the aluminum shift forks were replaced with steel forgings and completely redesigned.

The shifter has been upgraded to performance status with a unique adjustable biasing system to tune to your exact preference. Eight different shift locations means the shifter will fit in your stock console.

Dual speedometer pick-ups, with both mechanical and electronic speed pickups.

All cast iron shift forks for improved durability reducing failures with non-adjustable positive shift stops so it can not be over-shifted."

I am jazzed about this, but even more confused.

Tom

(gibbsR1)
Tom you are correct. The T5 and the TKO do have different bolt patterns. The plate in the picture is a working prototype for the 3550, TKO500 and 600 only. The T5s have a different bolt pattern. My plates are made to order, even allowing the used of the GM pattern, if the input shaft is the correct length. I don't know much about gm's trannys yet. I have the option of putting dual bolt patterns in the plate if desired (T5 & TKO/3550). And I may end up doing this, it could be useful of you dont have a trans or a person may want to upgrade in the future. The t5 pattern fits nicely inside the tko pattern. I am glad you brought this subject up.
One more note to add is this will work on '59 and '60 stude v8 3 speeds. they use the same bellhousing.

Dan