I have a 1969 auto dart and I want to swap it to a 4-Speed or 5-Speed. I found a tremec for a 99-04 mustang and wondered if anyone knows the pain-in-the-*** it might be?? I was going to do the 3-Speed OD swap but also like the idea of the Tremec but they are $5,000! Anyone know the headache a T45 would cause me?? Haha.
Anyone swap a Tremec T45 in their 67-69 Dart?
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MopaR&D
Nerd Member
After reading this: https://www.cjponyparts.com/resources/t-45-transmission I'm not sure if it would be worth it unless you find a later-model one or one that's already been gone through and update. Ratios are kinda wide for my liking as well, 3.37:1 first is pretty deep. If you can get one cheap it's worth a shot IMO. But then you gotta add in all the conversion parts; clutch+linkage(hydraulic), shifter, trans crossmember, also not sure if there exists a bellhousing to mate to a SBM bolt pattern.
dano
Evil Handy Man
T-45 will have a Ford Modular Engine Bolt pattern and is built into the case. So you would need to mill it off and find another way to adapt it. They were weak and superseded by the TR-3550 (not to be confused with Tremec T-3550 aka TKO, TKO500, and TKO600) and again integrated Mod Bolt Pattern and both have the starter on the Passenger side. My buddy tossed his T-45 for a TKO in his 99 GT he still has today.
You'll probably spend more trying to make it work than a TKO kit.
You'll probably spend more trying to make it work than a TKO kit.
Or you can keep your 904 and put a Gear Vendors behind it for a lot less $, hassle and fabrication.
(ding up the tunnel a bit, add wiring and a switch and shorten the driveshaft)
They are still not cheap, but cheaper than the tremec kit, no pedal swap, your speedometer gear and cable still function etc. etc.
I put T5's behind my slant cars, but I buy the cars with the 3rd pedal already installed. The T5 might be weak behind your engine combo, and there is a lot of tunnel and floor fab to make it work.
(ding up the tunnel a bit, add wiring and a switch and shorten the driveshaft)
They are still not cheap, but cheaper than the tremec kit, no pedal swap, your speedometer gear and cable still function etc. etc.
I put T5's behind my slant cars, but I buy the cars with the 3rd pedal already installed. The T5 might be weak behind your engine combo, and there is a lot of tunnel and floor fab to make it work.
Yeah, I'm kind of thinkin' it ain't worth it. Thanks.
Gear Vendors? I've never heard of it. Is it like a stick?
dano
Evil Handy Man
No its an add on gear box that I think is controlled by switches. If you want to bang gears you'll need a manual trans.
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Anything short of stock 4 speed will require a larger tunnel unless you go with American Powertrain and even then there is surgery. Stock will still need the hump installed.
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darndart
Well-Known Member
As stated above, the bellhousing is part of the front input cover and cannot be removed and another bellhousing bolted in its place. There is nothing wrong with the trans, my son has one in his supercharger 450whp 97 Cobra Mustang. Works great and has held up for the past 17 years. I am in the middle of installing a Tremec 3550 in my 72 Duster(I started a thread on here And so it begins,,,,,, 5-speed Duster swap! ) it’s not too bad of a swap, but requires some floor surgery. I’m learning as I go. Can’t wait to see how it drives, 3.91 gears with a 833 at highway speed is NO fun!
Yes, I am aware of the fab work involved. I am going to go with the 3 speed OD, manual.No its an add on gear box that I think is controlled by switches. If you want to bang gears you'll need a manual trans.
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Anything short of stock 4 speed will require a larger tunnel unless you go with American Powertrain and even then there is surgery. Stock will still need the hump installed.
darndart
Well-Known Member
Are you referring to the factory A833OD 4-speed transmission? If so, that’s an easy bolt in deal.
Yes, that's exactly what I am doing. No more Tremec. I thought it would be nice to have a full 5-Speed but nah, I'd rather keep it more mopar.
darndart
Well-Known Member
Passon Perfmance makes a A855 5-speed overdrive trans, that is an exact bolt in, but it’s expensive and there’s usually a waiting list.
Yeah I know. Way overpriced and I don't want to wait 1+ years. Nuts!
Horrid??
darndart
Well-Known Member
I think what he meant was, the OD have a big ratio spread between 1st and second. The OD had a low 3.09 1st gear ratio, as compared to the normal 4-speed with a 2.66 1st gear ratio.
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