Chevy T5 Behind Ford 2.3L - How?

In the quest for better gear ratios, the Chevy T5's 2.95 1st gear does nicely, however, it does pose problems trying to mount it behind a Ford 2.3L (Merkur XR4Ti).

To be discussed separately (later) would be trying to swap the gears into a Ford T5 case, and associated issues. Right now I'd like to look at what options are available to adapt the Chevy T5 case to a 2.3 Bolt pattern, either by a plate between the bellhousing and the block, or between the case and the bellhousing.

Any linky's to products that might work? I've got both a Chevy T5 Bellhousing as well as a Ford 2.3L Bellhousing.

Can you drill the chevy pattern into the ford bell and swap input shafts?

why not just buy a Ford T5 and use the motorsports gearset?

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First Rally: 2010 First RallyX: 2004 (a bunch)
Driver (0), Co-Driver (7)
Organizer (3), Volunteer (3)
Cars Built (2.5), Engines Blown (2) Cages Built (0) # of rotations (3.5)
Last Updated, Apr 9, 2023

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Gravity Fed
why not just buy a Ford T5 and use the motorsports gearset?

Because $$? How much are the motorsport gearsets? I'm not out to spend just to spend.

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Robert Culbertson
Can you drill the chevy pattern into the ford bell and swap input shafts?

Unfortunately I don't think so, not a lot of meat outboard of the regular bolt locations on the Ford bellhousing.

What all parts do you have now and when do you plan on wanting to get this done? I work at Modern Driveline and am going to be building this same trans with parts around the shop in a couple of months. I MAY be able to build a couple of them. If youve already got the GM trans, I may be able to supply a used Ford case and some other bits for pretty reasonably priced.

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deaner
What all parts do you have now and when do you plan on wanting to get this done? I work at Modern Driveline and am going to be building this same trans with parts around the shop in a couple of months. I MAY be able to build a couple of them. If youve already got the GM trans, I may be able to supply a used Ford case and some other bits for pretty reasonably priced.

I've got:
Ford 3.35 T-5 (disassembled)
GM V8 2.95 assembled w/ shifter and bellhousing
Ford 2.3L Bellhousing
T5 crossmember wide tunnel Merkur
T5 stock mount
T5 Clutch fork

Still need:
Clutch/pressure plate (and flywheel to match if not ford)
Anything driveline (matters if coupled with current stock diff or if the supra diff has gone in yet)
Speedo cable (Merkur Automatic speedo will work if it's still mechanical)
Shifter with stops

I have a line on another set of 2.95 gears that I may pick up just to have (and may not have to disassemble the one I have. TBD. I'm not in any kind of rush, and I pick up things that I know I need when deals pop up, until I'm ready to make the switch.

Let me know if you have anything I'm looking for, and I'm sure we can make a deal!

http://www.thegearbox.org/catalog/item/3819132/3532263.htm

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First Rally: 2010 First RallyX: 2004 (a bunch)
Driver (0), Co-Driver (7)
Organizer (3), Volunteer (3)
Cars Built (2.5), Engines Blown (2) Cages Built (0) # of rotations (3.5)
Last Updated, Apr 9, 2023

can you get the GM box for the gears and put them into the Ford casing?

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First Rally: 2010 First RallyX: 2004 (a bunch)
Driver (0), Co-Driver (7)
Organizer (3), Volunteer (3)
Cars Built (2.5), Engines Blown (2) Cages Built (0) # of rotations (3.5)
Last Updated, Apr 9, 2023

Quote
Gravity Fed
can you get the GM box for the gears and put them into the Ford casing?

That is one possible method, just trying to research if there's anything that can be done to avoid disassembly/re-assembly. Either hair-raising learning process for me, or $$$ to have a shop do it.

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Gravity Fed
http://www.thegearbox.org/catalog/item/3819132/3532263.htm

Both sales/tech guys here are saying they aren't real OE parts and at that price are reproduction. I haven't been here that long to see first hand but we've had nothing but problems with repro gears according to the guys that know more than I do.

you can just get an entire new Ford Performance box for 1700....


https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fms-m-7003-z

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First Rally: 2010 First RallyX: 2004 (a bunch)
Driver (0), Co-Driver (7)
Organizer (3), Volunteer (3)
Cars Built (2.5), Engines Blown (2) Cages Built (0) # of rotations (3.5)
Last Updated, Apr 9, 2023

Quote
deaner
What all parts do you have now and when do you plan on wanting to get this done? I work at Modern Driveline and am going to be building this same trans with parts around the shop in a couple of months. I MAY be able to build a couple of them. If youve already got the GM trans, I may be able to supply a used Ford case and some other bits for pretty reasonably priced.

Hey look, you guys sell exactly the opposite adapter plate! http://transmission.moderndriveline.com/speed/pc/GM-bell-to-Ford-T-5-Adapter-plate-7p222.htm

Any way you could ask around and see if it's possible to go GM T5 to Ford Bellhousing?

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deaner

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Gravity Fed
http://www.thegearbox.org/catalog/item/3819132/3532263.htm

Both sales/tech guys here are saying they aren't real OE parts and at that price are reproduction. I haven't been here that long to see first hand but we've had nothing but problems with repro gears according to the guys that know more than I do.

I wouldn't worry about the strength of aftermarket gears with a turbo 4. Big heavy v8 and sustained torque, that might cause some concern. A lot of the "issues" with t5s stems from people drag racing with 400+hp V8s.
As far as a new T5z, they are very crudely assembled. The one I just dove into had rust on the bearing surface and ALL the bearings were low/loose on preload. It was also FILTHY inside. I have no idea how you get that much dirt into a new trans.

You can easily swap gear sets if they are both WC. Get the peelable shims from 5speeds.com

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dunhamr1

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Gravity Fed
can you get the GM box for the gears and put them into the Ford casing?

That is one possible method, just trying to research if there's anything that can be done to avoid disassembly/re-assembly. Either hair-raising learning process for me, or $$$ to have a shop do it.

That's what I would do and plan on doing unless I can get a scorching deal on a new T5z. I've only been into a couple of these so far and am not well versed, but they really aren't that complicated to take apart. The manual are put there and are pretty good. You just need a press.