I am thinking of starting my own 2.3T project. My question here is how much horsepower can we put through 2.3 T-5 transmissions? I'd like to hit 300 rwhp. I won't be starting this project for a while yet, and it will be a long term thing, but I'd like to gather as much inforomation about it as I can now. I'm going to take a wander over to turboford to gather some info as well. Anyways, any help would be appreciated, thanks.
baby it. a stock n/a 2.3 T5 is not a creature of brute force. Here's some info for you: http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2000/09/t5swap/index2.shtml
T5 out of a 5.0 with the input shaft swapped is an option. most common is a T5 from a TC. personally, I've got 3 spare 2.3 T5's available to me (and can get more at the pick-a-part for $100 each) so I just swap them out. 2.3 T5 should only run about $100-150 from any JY though as it is since they're no where NEAR as desirable as the 5.0 pieces. there's a guy on turboford that runs a 6speed in his though....
T56 6speed. I think, but can't remember, that it was out of a camaro or vette. something with an LT1 pretty sure. here's the site: http://www.ndperformance.com/ 86 svo nd on the second page is where you'll find it...
anyway. Around my part of the country I get about $275 for a 4cyl 5spd and about $500 for a V8 trans with bell. "IF" you can drive you'll be hard pressed to break a 4cyl T5 with a 2.3T. Randy on turboford was running 7.59 in the 1/8 with a stock TC trans. I went 7.8 in a similar car with an all motor 351w on slicks. I left at 5k and shifted pretty easy. My 4cyl trans lasted 1 year and was pulled only to swap to a C4. If its 5spd already just invest in a new clutch/flywheel and you'll be good to go.
Its a nice I idea but I think its just a bit too much spinning weight for a 2.3 unless its a powerhouse to begin with.
From what i remember seeing posted awhile back, '86 and up are WC T5's. As far as messing up a 2.3 T5....you gotta be pretty brutal, and your gonna need a mean clutch along with slicks.
i get mine from the pull-a-part where flatrate a tranny is $100 and an engine is $150 and a turbo is $45. Most of the time the trannies are already on their last leg as it is which is why they dont really last long.
I understand that. If you're not careful that happens anywhere I guess. I was thinking if 4cyl trans are that common there then I'll come down and buy 10-15 and bring the back here and sell them.
using the stock t5 still. 220rwhp 300rwtq, really in truly a transmission has a TORQUE rating not a hp rating. I've beat the hell out of my transmission without any problems, and it supposedly only good to 240torque according to the specs sheet, hell my car put down 238rwtq STOCK. A stock t5 is not really a problem till you get pretty good amount of power. you'll break the 7.5 rear way before you do anything to the transmission.
even the 4cyl T5's only last about 4-5 days after the car is put out but I go once a weekend when I'm not doing anything and if I see one, I pop it out. I've resold a few locally for double that heh. The thing that REALLY irritates me is that before I got my 2.3T interest there would always be about 4-5 TC's in the north and another 4-5 in the south yards with engines, some with turbos....I actually pulled a few of the turbos and ebay'd em. NOW that I've got a damn 2.3T up and running and need parts (like a good turbo head) There's not a single one that isn't gutted to the ground out there Found 2 with short blocks but noooo heads. I hate irony.
A stock N/A 2.3 trans is just as strong as a 5.0 trans with exception for the input shaft. I've been throwing a little over 320 hp at it for a long time with no problems.
