T5 Gearbox

[bertieboo]

I know the t5 gearbox from 2wd sierra cosworths were used on some tvrs, but what were they used on volvo's as well?

[rev-erend]

What ever you do - don't use the Volvo T5 gearbox

Also worth adding that the T5 in the Sierra will only fit some TVR's ..OK for the Wedge cars but not for Griff/Chim/Cerb as the bell housing / gear shift remote and speedo drive are different or so I'm told.

Edited by rev-erend on Wednesday 7th January 16:52

[CNHSS1]

some Tiv boxes have the gearlever further forward than the more common cossie boxes. usefull if the installation has the engine a long way back in the chassis, doesnt require a hotch-potch linkage

[popularplace]

Hi all,

Myself and my father are currently building a 1965 ford zephyr v8 pick up truck hot rod using non other than a 5 speed T5 box removed from a sierra cosworth 2wd.

As i am using a modified rover v8 engine and i used the tvr bell-housing which has to be modified a little to mate the two together properly.

When she is up and running i will report on how the set up works.

As for the T5 used in the tvr, yes the gear linkage is set a few inches further forward as the tvr and sierra gearbox tail-housings are completely different.

Ozzy

[ridds]

Pretty sure the input and output shafts are also completely different along with the ratios. On the Cerbera application they are.

[350Matt]

There are many flavours of T5 as its been around a while, TVR used two end housings with coresponding length of output shaft. The shorter housing was used in griffmeras and TVR fitted a remote change as well.
Cerb used a longer tailhousing with no remote change,
there are also at least 2 flavours of input shaft spline as well 1" x 23 for TVR's and a 1" x 10 for Yank stuff

Matt

[BB-Q]

bertieboo said:

I know the t5 gearbox from 2wd sierra cosworths were used on some tvrs, but what were they used on volvo's as well?

The T5 used in the Cossie and all the TVR's had the same ratios. If you're making big power the TVR box is a better bet as it's stronger.

The Volvo never had the T5 fitted, but that's not to say you can't fit one.

A company called Avalanche Performance (in Canada) do a very nice adapter (you'll need to email them- tell 'em BB-Q sent you!) that allows you to use the Ford based T5 that the Cossie and TVR used and also has the added bonus of being dual pattern. You can use it with the engine in the original, 20deg tilt position or upright.

The closest the Volvos ever came to a performance box in a RWD model was the M90 box as fitted post 1993. This box is rumoured to be made by Getrag and will hold 400hp if the third gear slip ring is welded up. Cr*p ratios though, and NO spare parts available- you have to buy a new box from Volvo.

Ratios for the T5 are: 2.95:1/1.94:1/1.34:1/1.00:1/0.63:1. This gives rpm drops of: 2328/2103/1725/2516.

In contrast, the best box Volvo did, the M90 has ratios of 3.54:1/2.05:1/1.38:1/1.00:1/0.81:1, giving an enormous drop of nearly 3000rpm between first and second. The drops are 2862/2222/1872/1292.

This, coupled with the fact that you can rebuild a T5 yourself, and relatively cheaply too, means that, in my mind, and especially on a boosted motor, the T5 wins hands down.

I've pictures of the adapter if you want them.

Edited by BB-Q on Wednesday 14th January 10:35

Edited by BB-Q on Wednesday 14th January 10:36

Edited by BB-Q on Wednesday 14th January 10:37

[GavinPearson]

I have visited Tremec's factory and I think some of the above posts are a bit misleading.

The link to Tremec is:-

http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English/products/T-5....

You will find that there is a product applications catalogue & a rebuild manual.

As to obtaining spares, if you find a Tremec agent it is no big deal to rebuild one.

That may necessitate importing parts from the US, but they are readily available and by UK standards inexpensive.

[BB-Q]

Ebay's good for spares too

And would you like to enlighten us about the "misinformation". No point making a statement like that without back it up with solid facts, is there?

And what about us poor souls who have a Borg Warner T5 and not a Tremec?

And whilewe're on the subject, does anyone have the correct part number for the Cossie 2wd box? The tag's missing on mine.

Edited to add: Here's a pic of the adapter. It also allows the use of the M46/7 (that's the old gearbox) clutch arm, release bearing and slave cylinder, which is three less things you need to deal with, then. Also a pic in situ on my B234 engine (same bellhousing as the 8v engine) just before going into my my 142 in the upright position:





HTH

Edited by BB-Q on Wednesday 14th January 10:32

[GavinPearson]

BB-Q said:

Ebay's good for spares too

And would you like to enlighten us about the "misinformation". No point making a statement like that without back it up with solid facts, is there?

And what about us poor souls who have a Borg Warner T5 and not a Tremec?

Tremec bought the design, tooling & machinery from Borg Warner. They supply the spares. So everything detailed on the link I gave is good.

Bottom line - if you have a T5 or want a T5 for an application you just go to the website and it will tell you all of the buildable combinations and torque capacities.

[BB-Q]

Still haven't seen any misinformation. Nor is there a list of applications on that site.

[ridds]

BB-Q said:

bertieboo said:

I know the t5 gearbox from 2wd sierra cosworths were used on some tvrs, but what were they used on volvo's as well?

The T5 used in the Cossie and all the TVR's had the same ratios. If you're making big power the TVR box is a better bet as it's stronger.

The Volvo never had the T5 fitted, but that's not to say you can't fit one.

A company called Avalanche Performance (in Canada) do a very nice adapter (you'll need to email them- tell 'em BB-Q sent you!) that allows you to use the Ford based T5 that the Cossie and TVR used and also has the added bonus of being dual pattern. You can use it with the engine in the original, 20deg tilt position or upright.

The closest the Volvos ever came to a performance box in a RWD model was the M90 box as fitted post 1993. This box is rumoured to be made by Getrag and will hold 400hp if the third gear slip ring is welded up. Cr*p ratios though, and NO spare parts available- you have to buy a new box from Volvo.

Ratios for the T5 are: 2.95:1/1.94:1/1.34:1/1.00:1/0.63:1. This gives rpm drops of: 2328/2103/1725/2516.

In contrast, the best box Volvo did, the M90 has ratios of 3.54:1/2.05:1/1.38:1/1.00:1/0.81:1, giving an enormous drop of nearly 3000rpm between first and second. The drops are 2862/2222/1872/1292.

This, coupled with the fact that you can rebuild a T5 yourself, and relatively cheaply too, means that, in my mind, and especially on a boosted motor, the T5 wins hands down.

I've pictures of the adapter if you want them.

Edited by BB-Q on Wednesday 14th January 10:35

Edited by BB-Q on Wednesday 14th January 10:36

Edited by BB-Q on Wednesday 14th January 10:37

The 5th gear ratio for the Cerbera are different. They're not all the same.

The Cerbera runs a 0.81 5th gear, pretty sure the input shafts on the Cossie T5's have an 8 or 10 splines. Which is the same as used on the Rover applications but not later AJP8 or 6 engines.

Personally, I wouldn't say the T5 is good for any big power/torque application as I've blown mine with only 325lb/ft. 3rd stripped all it's teeth and 5th was very worn and had lost part 3 teeth.

[BB-Q]

Problem is, though, that it's the only affordable 'box out there with decent ratios.

The Supra ones are as bad as the Volvo M90. I was wondering about my Transit van, you know. Biggest rpm drop is 1600rpm in first to second. I wonder how much torque it can take?

[stevieturbo]

I used a Supra turbo box for a few years on my old RV8TT.

They make great gearboxes, and I got mine cheap. If you find someone who doesnt know what they are.....they will be a bargain. Small local breakers are best.
The rations were fine for me.

I did break a tooth of 3rd once after a year or two...other than that. It was perfect.


I reckon a T5 would have lasted about 20 minutes. I had no problems with their rations at all.

[GreenV8S]

ridds said:

Personally, I wouldn't say the T5 is good for any big power/torque application as I've blown mine with only 325lb/ft. 3rd stripped all it's teeth and 5th was very worn and had lost part 3 teeth.

The T5 doesn't have a particularly high torque rating (300 lbft is the max I think) so hardly ideal for any very high torque applications. In that respect it's no better than the old LT77 that everyone turns their noses up at.

[GavinPearson]

GreenV8S said:

ridds said:

Personally, I wouldn't say the T5 is good for any big power/torque application as I've blown mine with only 325lb/ft. 3rd stripped all it's teeth and 5th was very worn and had lost part 3 teeth.

The T5 doesn't have a particularly high torque rating (300 lbft is the max I think) so hardly ideal for any very high torque applications. In that respect it's no better than the old LT77 that everyone turns their noses up at.

I'd agree with that. If you have an LT77 I'd say you are much better off rebuilding it than undertaking a T5 conversion.

If you want something with serious torque capacity you want a T56/TR60606.

[BB-Q]

I see from your profile that you've never owned a car with a T5 fitted, Gavin (but I'm seriously jealous about the Sprints)?

I'm interested to know where your experience of this 'box comes from. Work, perhaps?

[GavinPearson]

BB-Q said:

I see from your profile that you've never owned a car with a T5 fitted, Gavin (but I'm seriously jealous about the Sprints)?

I'm interested to know where your experience of this 'box comes from. Work, perhaps?

I haven't owned a car with a T5, but I have driven a fair few as part of my job. That was how I got to go to Tremec's factory in Queretaro, MX.

My 2001 Mustang V8 had the Tremec TR3650. I's a far stronger unit and more suitable for many of the applications many people use T5s in.

[rev-erend]

The T5 can be rebuild with Quaife internal and that makes it very strong indeed .. OK it costs about £1500
but with the LT77 there are no super tough internals available.

CTS do the Quaife internals for the T5.