Engine and Transmission Tech

I have the option of buying a T5 from a 1990 Mustang V8. The ratios are as follows, 1st- 3.35, 2nd- 1.99, 3rd- 1.33, 4th- 1.00 and 5th- 0.68. Will this work with a stock 1977 MGB rear end? I have tried to figure it out and I am lost!
Thanks,
John



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/13/2008 09:48AM by jbarila.

To answer your question directly- YES, it will work fine.

A little more: 5th will put you where you want to cruise, 1st will feel right on the street too.




Personally, I like to eventually upgrade the rear axle for the best performance. For our V6 cars, I really like the V6 T5 with 1st gear of 3.76 and 5th of about 0.72.
The V6 T5 is not really too much different but it has the wide ratios. Close ratios are for race engines with limited power bands- and teh idea of a close ratio sounds 'cool.'
This leaves you with wide ratios that allow the use of the full RPM band, it leaves you with a car that puts 2-3-4th gears in a zone where they feel really nice as well.

Everyone has their preference.

Try it. You can always change the rear end out 1 day or 10 years later and offset the costs.

-BMC.

John, here is a nice calculator I found on line that you can use to determine what rpms you would be turning at what speeds with any combination of transmission ratios and rear axle ratios. You just need to plug in the tire size and calculate. If you know the power band of your engine you can figure out pretty easily if that combination will be comfortable for your car. [www.f-body.org]
With a 195R70 14 and the stock 3.9 axle you'd be turning about 2600 to 2700 at 75mph and first gear would top out around 30 mph. Around town you'd mostly be in third occasionally fourth on the streets where you could run up around 45mph.

I am trying to decide what way to go. I have bought a 77B with a Ford 2.3 and auto.in it and running. I was planning to go the 302 Ford/T5 mustang GT...but the costs are high. I was considering putting the T5 in the B and seeing how it performed...lot of price difference....any ideas?

Len, Speed cost $, how fa$$t you want to go ? Consider oem. type Tubo retrofit on that 2.3 ? Should be cheap and spunky, especially with the 5 spd. ? Less work and $, peppy enough ? roverman.