[MANZO MUSTANG]

Hey guys,

I'm about to go to bed after performing an oil change, fresh spark plugs, and a freshly cleaned MAF. Later this morning I will be driving 90+ miles to the dragway in Fontana, this will be my first run down the quarter mile and I'm hoping to have some good runs and not break my car in the process. I'm taking a few buddies to document my passes down the quarter mile. I should have some videos and pics soon.

I've found a 94 GT on youtube with virtually the same mods I have plus a shift kit and big n littles on a AODE and he ran a best of like 14.2's so I have an idea what it should do. But anything can happen in racing, we'll find out. Hope I can break into the 13's.

[Bullitt95]

You should be able to at least match my times.

[MANZO MUSTANG]

Well, the results are in... 15.15 @ 94.12 mph. LOL. Although, i wasnt the slowest mustang or the slowest sn95, i was a victim of a bad or crappy rebuilt AODE. My best 60' came in at a blistering 2.268 on street tires, the car was not breaking loose off the line(no burnout either, drove around the water) and seemed to take forever to get into the powerband. When it came to the 1-2 & 2-3 shift the tranny would not perform a clean shift, it made more of a hiccup, canr nose dove down and then the next gear would go in. All in all it was a great experience, one full day of racing from sun up to sund down, literally. This was my first time out on a track so i know there is much room for improvement.

Within my same group i ran into some pony friends from my hometown, 94Cobra and 93 LX both 5 speed. They were in the low 14's with some bolt ons, so they came over after my AWESOME performance and said they thought my car was a 5spd. We got to talking and man these guys are cool cats, one started trying to talk me into converting into a 5spd, said he could do it for just under $1000.

So the whole drive home i thought about it. I know the engine has the balls to put it in the mid 13's and taxes are about to roll in... im just going back and forth on wether i should go for the conversion.

[Bullitt95]

Originally Posted by MANZO MUSTANG Well, the results are in... 15.15 @ 94.12 mph. This was my first time out on a track so i know there is much room for improvement.

You're not kidding. I was expecting you to be almost 2 seconds and 10mph faster so there's definitely something seriously wrong (probably the tranny as you mentioned). Upgrading to a built AODE and a 3000rpm stall converter should help immensely but I can also understand the temptation to do a manual tranny conversion. Just weigh up the pros and cons of each and decide which one is best for you.

[MANZO MUSTANG]

Deng man, this is like breaking up with a GF.

I love the fact that my ride is an Auto and realize the potential of a built AODE, consistancy down the drag strip. But on the real, whats the best case scenario dollar wise for a 3000 stall/built AODE?

On the other hand if I do convert for a manual, it seems cheaper, less consistan at the strip(with me driving anyway), but more fun on the street. How much power can a stock T5 take? I've read they're made of glass. But its not like im making crazy power.

Crap! So much to think about...

[johnGT]

What kind of gears do you have?
"Took a while to get into the powerband."

Sounds a lot like my 2.73s lol.

[StangBanger302]

For $1,000 I'd question the quality of work and/or the condition of the T5 he would use. Thaqt's really cheap. My tranny guy gets $800 for an ALL NEW T5. And his prices are fair around here...T5s with the right clutch setup and a steel retainer can take a good amount of abuse. I'm making ~280rwhp and my T5 holds up fine on street tires.

[MANZO MUSTANG]

Originally Posted by johnGT What kind of gears do you have? "Took a while to get into the powerband." Sounds a lot like my 2.73s lol.

I have 3.73's. It puts u into the seat, but nothing crazy to where the tires break loose, im rolling on good thread 245's.

[MANZO MUSTANG]

Originally Posted by StangBanger302 For $1,000 I'd question the quality of work and/or the condition of the T5 he would use. Thaqt's really cheap. My tranny guy gets $800 for an ALL NEW T5. And his prices are fair around here...T5s with the right clutch setup and a steel retainer can take a good amount of abuse. I'm making ~280rwhp and my T5 holds up fine on street tires.

Your right, ill have to ask him. He said he can pick one up a T5 from the Los Angeles area for 250-350. Clutch quadrant has to be a new unit, clutch kit he said just to keep the dollar amount down to go with a stock sytle from Peboys, the rest of the swap(pedals/cross member) from the junkyard.

[johnGT]

I've seen freshly rebuilt t-5s for around $750~. With install, $1000 doesn't sound to bad IMO.
You should try some Lucas oil in your tranny. Have heard a lot of good things from AODE owners. I haven't personally used it myself, but as soon as mine starts acting up thats gonna be my first move. You may also consider a new stall. When my trans was rebuilt, it had the same symptoms as before. Took it back to the guy, he threw in a new stall for free, problem solved.
That's honestly what it sounds like to me. When the TC doesn't lockup correctly, it causes slippage between the motor and the trans which = longer to get up to speed. I am also running 245s and I can spin off the line no problem with 2.73s...

[MANZO MUSTANG]

Im going to a tranny specialist tomorrow morning. Im gonna have him get me a quote on a rebuilt, shift kit,& cooler. Im still considering T5 swap. We'll see what happens. I may just try the Lucas oil.

[Bullitt95]

Originally Posted by MANZO MUSTANG Im going to a tranny specialist tomorrow morning. Im gonna have him get me a quote on a rebuilt, shift kit,& cooler.

Good idea, and don't forget the converter. You'll end up with a drivetrain that'll handle a lot more torque than a stock T5. I doubt that the Lucas oil will help you go 2 seconds faster if the clutches inside the tranny/converter are shot.

[johnGT]

Originally Posted by Bullitt95 Good idea, and don't forget the converter. You'll end up with a drivetrain that'll handle a lot more torque than a stock T5. I doubt that the Lucas oil will help you go 2 seconds faster if the clutches inside the tranny/converter are shot.

You are correct. But like I said, when mine was rebuilt, it felt exactly the same as before with slippage and sloppy gear changes. The TC HAS to have sufficient fluid with some kind of friction modifier for it to be most effective. The Lucas stuff is a LOT cheaper than a new tranny or rebuild. Even if it doesn't work, you are only out $10~.

[GreenCobraClone]

Go for the T5. Your not racing the car everyday, and the stick shift is way more fun to drive.

[MANZO MUSTANG]

Well, tranny guy doesnt answer his phone. Made some calls and found a friend whos cousin runs a junkyard about 100 miles from me, and said he has a 95 cobra in his yard, waiting for a call back with price for swap.