I'm in the process of building my 72 350 with high compression pistons, .040 oversize, headers and a Howards cam with slightly higher low-end torque. Can I use a T5 of any kind behind this, or will I have to go TKO-500 or beyond for street use?

 

If you are asking about using an inexpensive junkyard T5, most have a 265 ft-lb rating. The better ones are 300 ft-lb and the Ford Z-type transmissions are 330 ft-lb. The latter are neither easy to find nor cheap when you do. An aftermarket G-Force modified T5 will survive, but it also will be priced near what a TKO goes for.

The other thing to consider is that these transmissions were designed for moderate output engines in relatively light cars. You're going to put one behind a higher-torque engine in a near-4,000 lb car.

 

You're right, I'm just daydreaming. A TKO costs $4000 new over here, and $2800 used, though, so those alternatives were looking mighty nice.

 

I have (in all honesty) butsed over 30 T-5's Probably every one them shattered behind an engine not making as much HP or TQ as you will be. Its great to pickup a 300-500 tranny but after the 4th or 5th one you ill get tired of changing them and it will start to add up. 3rd gear is especially weak!

 

Yeah, then that's not something I'm gonna look for. Were the TKO or any equivalents used in any commercial vehicles, or are transmissions like that strictly aftermarket? I know of the T-56 6 speed being used commercially, but with a 2.56 rear? I don't think so. The TKO-500 would be ideal.