How to swap a C4 Transmission for a T5 Transmission (Part 1 of 2) 

Nice! That's one of the things I try to show in my videos, most of this stuff is easier than it looks. There was a time in my life where I was intimidated on this kind of work. But after I actually turned the wrench, most of this stuff seems easier than it used to look. :)

Yes, the RU-vid Gods demand content, I'm not in a position to argue. :) Awesome, that extra gear is so nice to have if you ever need to get above 50mph.

Thanks 👍

It was easier than the last time I did it. :)

Thanks! Yeah, those flywheel bolts can be an annoying problem, and it's only worse if someone puts a lot of miles on their car.

Thank you! Cheers!

Yeah, it's easy to psych our selves out of doing something because there's a lot of steps. But once you see a short video on how to do it, it makes it easier to visualize the process and make a game plan to do the work. :)

Awesome, you can do it, good luck!!

That's hey "they" get ya! I've been trying to make the Monday videos less of a 'mod' or less of a bigger deal, and just trying to cover the smaller updates and upgrades we do on our cars. I don't even show my face, and I don't spend a bunch of time at the beginning of the video explaining the project. They're also meant to be a shorter format too, something simple and then something bigger on Thursday. Well, that' the plan at least. :)

Thank you too!

Ha, tell me about it! But, that's part of the fun. I had been collecting parts for a while and eventually I had enough to get'r done! :)

Awesome, I glad this might help you make that leap! :)

Thanks! Yes, I go over all the parts needed for the swap. I even explain a little about which T5 to get for these cars. For reference, I did the T5 swap on my last Mustang where I had the 'wrong" T5 for the swap and covered it all in a video. In that video I explain the differences and what it takes to make the '94-'04 T5 works in these cars. For my current Mustang, I sourced the "correct" T5 and it was easier and cheaper to do the swap with the '83-'93 T5 Transmission. :)

No problem 👍

Thanks! 👍

Glad you enjoyed it!

Great tip!

Thanks! Don't forget to checkout the wheel caps you can buy for them! :)

Truth.

Haha, thanks! I procrastinate plenty, I've got parts here at the house for my next mod and I keep finding excuses not to start the project. :) It really is fairly simple to remove the C4 from these cars. Someone could easily use a standard floor jack under the trans if they didn't have an official transmission jack. And everything can be done with the standard tools we all have in our tool box. The hard part is finding a T5 for a good price. They're getting harder to find and the prices keep going up.

@@AndyKruseChannel yep, $8,000 down here :)

@@flyingfruitbats Ugh, at that price it makes you want to question the whole project. Is that price just for the Trans? Or is that the price to do the swap?

@@AndyKruseChannel admittedly its a worked unit, but the T5 seems rather expensive, where did you get yours from? Did you get help choosing the right unit or are they all the same? Think this is something I'd like to do. But I'd also like to install a Borla 8 Stack efi or a Paxton, those and the T5 are rather expensive mods though... mines only a 289 as well.

@@flyingfruitbats I purchased this T5 from a local guy on Facebook. On my previous car I purchased that T5 off Craigslist, also from a local guy. The T5s are mostly the same, but there is a difference in the '94 - '04 units that make it slightly harder to install on the Classic Mustang. I cover these differences in part 2 of this video, but I also talk about it in the video I did last year when I put a T5 in my last Mustang. That video is worth a watch, and also next weeks video. :)

Thanks for the info. :)

Haha, it would be fun to help others on their projects. I have family down there, I could make it a two-for-one special! :)

There are vehicles that I prefer to have an Auto in the car, but this is one that I prefer the Manual. :)

Thanks! The bolt holes in the end of the crank shaft for the flywheel/flexplate go through the crank and into the oil area. Oil likes to find its way out of where ever it is, and along the threads of these bolts is a great place. Putting some loctite (or equivalent) on the threads during installation will remove that as a location for the oil to escape. It's not like you'll lose all your oil from these bolts, but over time it can build up and appear like a rear main seal leak.

@@AndyKruseChannel Much appreciated. I have exactly that situation after changing the rear seal. Enlightening!

Lol, that might actually work. :) C4 or AOD?

Thanks for the heads up. I used the same shifter boot on my last car (which fit fine on the last car) but it's not perfect for this car. But, it has to do with the shifter assembly I went with on this car, so I may look into your recommended boot. :)

You can choose to leave it unplugged (from the car), or remove it from the transmission, or wire it up so the car won’t start without being in neutral. The function of the switch has no effect on the transmission if it’s connected to the car or not.

@@AndyKruseChannel Alright cool thanks for the info. I just wanted to be sure if I unplugged it from the car it didn't take away the ability for the car to crank over.

Unfortunately no, this is because the two bolts for the starter go into the bellhousing. You do not need to drain the coolant to remove the transmission. :)

On my last car I had a small vibration that I eventually narrowed down to an improperly balanced flywheel. I tried to save a few bucks and buy a cheaper unit on Summit Racing, and I ended up returning it and just buying the good stuff from MDL. Summit was awesome though, they took it back without any issues. On this car, I am not finding any vibration issues like last. Plus, I went straight to MDL for the flywheel, skipping the chance of getting another faulty flywheel by trying to save a few bucks. :)

@@johnjuarez8005 I'm noticing a vibration in the seat at highway speeds, so like around 70-80 MPH. I've swapped over to a 3.5in aluminum driveshaft off junkyard ford explorer, and that reduced the vibrations, but its still there. I'm now assuming its a pinion/driveline angle issue.

I haven't decided what to do with it yet. Due to its size, it may be easier to sell locally. :)

@@AndyKruseChannel No problem, understood, just wanted to check.

Tremec recommends only running ATF in their T5 transmissions. It's counter intuitive to put automatic transmission fluid in a manual transmission, but it's what they say to put in there. I used just under 3 quarts of Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF in my T5. :)

@@AndyKruseChannel you're the second person who's word I really respect that told me ATF, ATF it is! Thanks for the response Andy, you the man!

Nothing, I like just listening to the engine when I’m driving this car. 🙂

@@AndyKruseChannel I just installed a RetroSound w Bluetooth today if you are ever looking. Looks stock but with digital

I purchased the T5 from a local guy on Facebook. If I had a larger budget, I would have purchased the T5 from MDL, probably would have gone with a T5Z.

@@AndyKruseChannel are you going with a cable or hydrolic clutch?

@@AndyKruseChannel I saw that one for sale. Nice price. Too far of a drive for me but right in your neighborhood.

@@nathannelson7020 and giveaway the ending? Nope. :)

@@AndyKruseChannel please make sure you do a detailed parts list 😉

Yeah, that transmission jack goes down way faster than it goes up. :)

@@AndyKruseChannel yep! I have the same one

Fully extended, they're about 16 inches tall. The rear jacks can go taller, but I try to make the car level when I'm working on it. :)

I have about $2500 into the swap. That includes new parts, a few used parts, buying other parts because I'm an idiot, me doing the work (especially on the trans rebuild), and getting a great deal on the T5. There are somethings that need to get purchased new and from reputable sources. MDL is a fantastic resource for this swap, I used them for a lot of parts on this swap, and a lot of parts on this swap on my previous Mustang. The largest chunk of your budget will be the T5. Buying new is fantastic if you have the funds, and a TKX from MDL would be the best if your budget allows. Other than doing a rebuild on the Trans, this is absolutely something someone could do if the have the basic tools. This video and the video I did on my last Mustang both outline the process of the swap, it's not as tedious as one would think. Good luck!!

Wow, that's a tough one. Everything I can think of doesn't make sense if reverse works but not the forward gears without high RPMs. Sorry I'm not much help.

tranny leaks, just filled it. When i jack it up, rear wheels spins when in gear, not sure what's goin on. I live about an hour north of Seattle, don't really know any transmission shops around. thanks for videos, learning a ton from you. Cheers!

Yes, to some guy locally. :)

Good question. First, the C4 that was in there did not come with the car from the factory. The car was originally a manual car. However, it obviously did not come the factory with a T5 that I swapped in there, so there's that. But the big thing is I'm not restoring this car to OEM status, so anything I do could technically de-value the car, but only to those looking to buy an all original car. Since I don't plan to sell the car, I'm not worried about it either way. :)

@@AndyKruseChannel I don't know for sure but I think whatever is done if it's done with quality I don't think it would devalue a car especially if a buyer is looking for what you modified.... By the way great video thanks for your reply

Can't, the RU-vid Gods demand the content. Gotta keep feeding the beast! :)