Glad I could be of some help!  

I love the smell of burning rubber in the morning!

Just signed up for the "Y-Block Magazine"  Bruce sent me the covers from a couple of back issues with my first issue.  One is the issue with Rob's article. It is Nov-Dec 2012  - Vol 19  No.6 - Issue 113.  Hope this helps.  Rob sent me a copy of his article earlier this year and it is helpful.


Mark

1956 Mercury M100
1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan
Delta, British Columbia

Daniel, I can't remember what issue it was in, but if you send me an email, I can forward my original draft of the article. Thanks. 

I love the smell of burning rubber in the morning!

Update of sorts. I haven't started the T5 conversion on the 57 Bird yet, Just beginning a Broader Performance C6 conversion from the stock Cruisomatic in my 65 Galaxie 445 Stroker. Once that is finished I will start the T5 set up in the Bird and try post some photos and coherent descriptions.

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

I am not worried about the rpm's at highway speed.  I have two Fox mustangs with 5 speeds, so I am familiar with OD and gear ratios.  I was just surprised at the gear spacing, shifter throws, and I had forgotten about the lack of syncromesh in the first gear.  It was a "wake-up call" in a good sort of way when I took it for my first test drive.  My first ford was a '56 Fairlane Victoria with 292, and I rebuilt that engine back in 1963 and swapped out the automatic for a standard transmission with floor shifter.  It was my favorite Ford from the 50s.  It is a little tougher now at my age to be changing out transmissions, even though I have a lift in my garage.  LOL.  I will try to keep updating the car, and will post pictures when completed.  I have already started making plans with Ted E. for a stroker for street duty, and the 5 speed is a "must have" for the fun factor.  Joe-JDC

















JDC

Unless Noob also has a T5 Z, his rpm in overdrive will be meaningless to you.  Further, if his tires and rear gears are  different, it just won't help.  Assuming that everything else will be the same, you can figure it out by multiplying your current rpm at 60mph by .63, the overdrive ratio of the Z.  You'll probably need a shorter  rear  gear.



Lawrenceville, GA

Noob

I am looking to do this swap with the T5 also.   I have the Mummert parts and a "Z" T5.  What did you do to mount the transmission to the X member on the T-Bird?  What is your rear end gears and RPM at 60 mph?  My car came with a 3 speed ("C" code) but I changed it 30 years ago to a BW T10 with 3.50 rear end.  It is time to change it to the T5 and enjoy the overdrive.   This will go with my rebuilt "338" inch motor, Mummert heads, headers, comp cam, MSD.  Should put out about 350 HP.  Thanks RHill 

Joe, I converted my `57 T-bird from a 3-speed manual with O.D. to a T-5 (WC) a couple years back. It made a difference both for torque efficiency and cruise rpm's reduction... also did it in my `56 F-100.  I've not seen a lot of authoritative A-Z instruction out there... just bits and pieces and some trial and error stuff from hot-rodders since most of the highly traffic T-bird site are full of purists (not that there is anything wrong with that).

Cylinder Index = 84

Current Experiment = `57 Tbird, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Joe JDC: I don't think I've ever seen a full explanation here on a 5 spd conversion in a T.Bird. May have seen one some years ago in Y-Blk magazine, although it may have been in a sedan. If your looking for performance, it may be worth the trouble and expense, however if for economy, I doubt the difference from an O.D. trans would be significant. As for parts, John Mummert may have some of what you need.. Hope this helps.   


Paul

There is a bloke in Rosemead Calif. that does a cable clutch conversion for the T5, mostly for Mustangs,


South Australia