I hate for it to come to this again. Everyone is junking there v-6 mustangs. Really makes my car feel old.
I found a toploader with the correct input and output, and it was behind a 68 cougar with "low" mileage. I also found two "new" 96-03 v6 transmissions out of mustangs. Both have rebuilt papers. One the guy has been selling for 3 months for $700 and then dropped to $550. The other one just got dropped to $400, but I can't seem to get any pictures out of him. He keeps telling me to come and get it.
I would like to do the toploader. So far I have done a whole 100 miles freeway in my tbird. None of them have been necessary. Just for fun on the weekends. I would like the availability of a 5 speed for the avalibility of parts. for the top loader, Everyone I have talked to said thats not a problem for anyone ever, except for the clutch. It would, more likely then not, out last the engine I will be pulling in it. I should also be able to re-sell either one without taking a huge loss.
Next month I will be getting 3 checks. I am going to use my first one next month to pay bills, and my last on this month to get parts. I have a rebuild motor with about 10 miles on it. I pulled it out of my last car when the transmission went out. Every one of these cars I have had issues with. And nothing is more fun then banging gears.
If I do the t-5, I can find the bellhousing. Top loader I would have to either order online, or buy an adaptar. Everything else I plan on buying new. I figure with the t-5, I will be looking at $550 to $700 for all parts. This will leave me enough to buy more gaskets, and all the internal H.O. stuff I am missing. I would really rather put both engine and tranny in at the same time. Maybe i will buy the transmission, which ever one I decide, and get all the parts I need and store it until I have alittle bit of extra cash.
keep looking around for a t5 if thats what you want. I just picked up a t5,bell,fork,clutch/plate,hurst shifter, firewall adjuster, adjustable cable. might be forgettin something for 400.
I've got a t5 from my TC...I'm not gonna do anything with it since I got a V8 t5 with all those parts I bought awhile back...
Be patient and don't get in a hurry.Wait for the T-5 and affiliated parts.When you get in a hurry,you end up spending more in the long run for what you wanted less.A T-5 would be a lot better for cruising as well.The parts and deals are out there,you just have to find them.
I'm gonna put my argument in here. If you arent planning on making big power, go for the t5. If you want 500+ go for the toploader, you wont regret it. I'm putting nearly 700hp through my toploader with 44 year old syncros(all the gears got changed out because it was a close ratio and it didnt like my truck, lol) and it still shifts like butter. I did twist the small input around 500rwhp but it didnt break.