What does your T5 feel like when shifting?

[rficalora]

Mine feels like the gears don't quite align making it feel like the shifter stops as the gears bump and then they align as it goes into the next gear.  Seems pretty consistent 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4.  Haven't noticed it 4-5 or downshifting but haven't really paid attention to those shifts either.  It definitely slows down shifting.  Is that typical or a sign that it's showing its age and synchros are getting worn?  It's a 94/95 Mustang unit -- supposedly rebuilt (4200 miles ago) but I don't know what they replaced.  I do know it wasn't babyed before I got it.  I don't have another T5 to compared to but my son's 06 mustang (T56) is way smoother and a friend's 2011 GT (also T56) is like butter.

[danmas]

Rob,

T5s are known for poor shifting. I have to get the lever in just the exact position or its very hard to get in gear. I'm learning to shift better, but it's a long way from the smoothness of my Toyota. I have a very short shift lever, which adds to the problem. I made a longer shift lever for it and that helped, but I couldn't stand the long throws so I went back to the short lever. The biggest problem is going from 2nd to 3rd, or from 5th to 4th. I've found that if I let the lever go to find its own place, it will automatically go to the center position and then it's just a straight throw forward for 3rd or back for 4th. Just a little pause helps.

No problem at all on 1st-2nd, 2nd-1st, 3rd-4th,  4th-3rd,or 4th-5th - it's just a problem getting from the outer gates to the inner gate: 2nd-3rd and 5th-4th, mostly 5th-4th.

I'm hoping to find an aftermarket shifter - Hurst, for example - that might make it better. I'd like to hear from those with a good aftermarket setup

[kstevusa]

Rob and Dan, perhaps its the shifter.  The OEM unit is marginal and when worn ,must be poor.  The B&M  model "Ripper" in my car will not shift smoothly if YOU try to hit the gears. When you move the lever and let it hit the gates, all is well.  It took  me a long time to  determine I did not need to force the shifter, it would hit them.  Hope this is of some help.
SAFETY FASTER!

[kerbau53]

Until I actually get to drive my car in a couple weeks, I can't say. But, there's always a but isn't there? I had an F150 with a T5 years ago. The shifter was always a tad vague but with the long throw and a bit of patience (not my strong suit) I made friends with it.

[mstemp]

I used a new Ford MS T5 with its factory short shifter, It shifts very smooth. I do however shift as I was tought to by my father as a kid, softly! The springs between the side gates are there for a reason, to guide you into the 3/4 plane just as Kelly mentioned. These are not a race box and they do not have the same sort of synchro rings/dog teeth. The more power you have the gentler you should be. Maybe it's a factor of what gear box you were brought up with, Muncie or VW/Audi/Porsche?

[Moderator]

I believe there's a big difference between Mustang and Camaro (OEM) shifters.

I bought my Chevy-style T5 brand new way back in ~1991 or '92. I use an earlier Chevy Camaro junkyard shifter, shortened quite a lot. I don't perceive my T5 as fussy about going into gear, just that gear shifts require too much muscle. Even with an MGB length shifter, I'm pretty sure my T5 would still feel stiff but it has improved as it has slowly broken in.

I agree with Mike that it's definitely not a racing gearbox - it's not designed for really quick shifts and neither is my pressure plate (etc.) - but you should be able to get a T5 set up well enough that it'll never cause you to miss a shift along a twisty mountain road.

[rficalora]

Thanks guys.  I've not felt like i was going to mis-shift, just that it takes more effort to get into the next gear than it should.  It's not a matter of lining up right.  My shifter is a steeda clone.  Guess i just need to get used to it.

[MGBV8]

There are much smoother shifting trannies than the T-5. My stock MGB trans shifted better. I once drove a Jag XJS with a T56 in it. It shifted so much better (shorter throw, too) that I briefly considered cramming one in my B.

There may be some slick shifting tricks or mods for the T-5 that might be worth pursuing.

[mgb260]

Rob, It could have slightly bent shift forks from before you put in the aftermarket shifter with stops. The stock shifter had no stops . I had a stock S10 shifter in my little pickup with the 1" homemade spacer you see on the web to shorten the throws drilled and tapped for stop bolts. Cut down the lever quite a bit. Seemed better than stock but still a little bit clunky or notchy compared to other trans. You could adapt a Toyota R154(Supra) trans. Advance Adapters Ford to AX15(same pattern) adapter plate. Also the lube you use affects the syncros and shifting. The old Dexron ATF was specified for the World Class T5. The newer stuff is too slippery,so is synthetic. Try  to find the old Type F ATF it is the least slippery and will help the syncros slow down. Readjust your shift stops to just touch in second and third with your hand off the lever. Back off 1/4 turn and tighten the locknuts. You could call Tony at Astro Performance for more info on the T5.

[BMC]

Interesting. I don't look at the T5 as a poor shifter at all. They feel good to me.

-BMC.

[danmas]

Interesting. I don't look at the T5 as a poor shifter at all. They feel good to me.

Compared to the Saginaw I had in my '68 Nova, they are slicker than snot (that transmission was a pig). Compared to the five-speed I had in my '78 Celica, they (mine) feel like stirring a stick in a box of rocks.  fifth--->fourth is particularly problematic for me, especially when I need to do it in a hurry.

I'd be very interested in what others have experienced with aftermarket shifters.

[Dan Jones]

> Mine feels like the gears don't quite align making it feel like the shifter
> stops as the gears bump and then they align as it goes into the next gear.

Neither of mine feel that way.

> Haven't noticed it 4-5

I can beat the shift from 4th into the tall overdrive if I hurry it but I've
never had that happen on any other shifts.

> Is that typical or a sign that it's showing its age and synchros are getting worn?

It's not typical.

> I don't have another T5 to compared to but my son's 06 mustang (T56) is way smoother

Did he swap out the factory-fitted Tremec TR-3650 transmission?

> a friend's 2011 GT (also T56) is like butter.

Did he swap out the factory-fitted Getrag MT-82?

> I had an F150 with a T5 years ago. The shifter was always a tad vague

Did you swap the factory installed transmission for a T5?  Ford used a
Mazda-sourced 5 speed (M5OD-R2) in the Ford F-150, Rangers and Thunderbird SC
and a ZF 5 speed in the diesel bigger trucks

> I'm hoping to find an aftermarket shifter - Hurst, for example - that might make it better.

I replaced the factory shifter with a Hurst way back in the late 1980's on a 1987 Mustang GT
that still serves as my daily driver.  It was a noticeable improvement and comes with
adjustable external stops to keep from over-shifting.  A Ford tech I know mentioned reports
of T5 shifting problems being traced back to fluid changes with cheap ATF fluid.  I use
the Motorcraft stuff from my local dealer.

Dan Jones

[NCtim]

Hey guys,

I actually have something to comment on from experience, instead of asking for it. The T5 in my '93 S10 (bought new) felt like driving a 3-on-the-tree. My '69 MB 280 4-on-the-tree shifted faster than that thing. The T5 wasn't sloppy, just slow, long throws, and wide, vague gates. That said; I've driven 911s and Ferraris in the 70s & 80s that weren't for people with ADD. Those were no picnic if you weren't concentrating on each shift. Good luck getting from 2-3 in a hurry. The '75 Celica GT tranny I dumped in my MG behind a Rover V8 in '76 was cobbled together and shifted like butter.

Tim

[BMC]

I autocrossed my MGB V6 with the T5 on Sunday. The 1-2 shift was very smooth, fast and easy. It was a non-issue.

I do agree with one comment made about the early Celica in my own findings. I had a 1972 Datsun 510 Estate and that was the easiest and smoothest shifting vehicle I ever had. Actually learned how to drive almost all the time without the clutch. Interesting car.

Other than that, I have never owned a vehicle that was smoother than a decent T5.

-BMC.

[HealeyRick]

Rob,

I have a new T5Z with a Steeda TriAx.  Shifts great and is nothing like you've described.  Don't know what the problem with yours is, but "... it ain't right."

[mgb260]

Rob, another thing to look at is the nylon bushing under the shifter. They wear out and get sloppy or break.

[tomsbad6]

Hello Rob there are a couple of tricks to making a T5 shift fast and smooth my car runs a world-class T5 different cink rings it was built by d and d in Wixom Michigan 5th gear is always a little slower partly because it's a big change the stock Mustang T5 runs plane brass sink row rings the first thing you need to do is run synthetic ATF in the trans I've never seen one shift good on anything else as far shifters go the stock shifters are throwaway D D performance builds quality CNC aluminum short throw shifter's I bought my shifter when I had them go through my transmission  they had five different kinds of shifters all different names like Steeda Triax and others all the same thing made right thar my shifter just says D&D hurst also makes a pretty good one I have a very nice one of those laying in the garage that I picked up with something but anyway if your sink rings are good and you have a good short throw shifter with synthetic ATF in the trans it should snap through the gears barely even touching the clutch it is crucial to have a shifter that has adjustable stops or you will bend or wear out shift forks

the world-class T5 is clearly smoother than the plain T5 but they both I think shift better than the Toyota I shift mine at 7000 RPMs barely touching the clutch and only miss third gear about one out of 100 shifts  Brad Penn oil also makes a high tech very thin ATF that works just fine that's what I'm running in the car this year my car seems to run the best on b and M trick shift ATF the people at D&D suggested Amsoil ATF I've never tried it

if your transmission grinds going into gear you probably have warned sink rings

if you just have to push hard you need lighter oil to channel out of the sink ring grooves

if it is hard to cross over second to third or sloppy you needed new shifter and replace the bushing underneath