How To Install a Five-Speed in Vintage Mustangs

21. CPC supplies the bolts to secure the T5 transmission to theadapter plate. Although you can partially use the bolts to help get thetransmission seated, in general, it's best to seat the trans as far asyou can get it on the adapter plate before the final tightening of thebolts. Once the trans is seated, thoroughly tighten the four bolts in across pattern to ensure the T5 is in place, as flush as possible, on theadapter plate. In contrast to the Top Loader four-speed, the thicknessof the adapter plate compensates for the longer input shaft on the T5.

22. With a quick test fit of the T5 shifter and CPC shift handle,the detailed engine and freshly rebuilt National Drivetrain PlatinumTorque T5 are ready to go back into the car. The shifter is taken backoff the transmission before the engine and trans are put back in thecar. The shifter is then reinstalled with its four bolts and siliconesealant.

23. With the use of the CPC transmission crossmember,reinstalling the engine in the car is a reverse removal of the engineand Top Loader four-speed. Once back in the car, the CPC crossmemberbolts right up to the T5 trans and in the car.

24. Before installing the crossmember, we were able to installthe shifter from underneath the car, securing it in place with its fourbolts and a bead of silicone sealant around the base of the shifter. Ifyou do the conversion without removing the engine, you'll likely want toinstall the shifter on the transmission before it's installed in thecar. We waited since we installed the transmission through the enginebay along with the engine and didn't want the shifter to get caught onsomething while the engine and trans were going in.

25. Using the new trans mount along with the CPC crossmember, itall goes back into place as in the reinstallation of the Top Loader.With three pairs of nuts and bolts, the crossmember is installed withtwo long bolts securing the crossmember to the car, two bolts joiningthe trans mount to the T5, and two more joining the mount to thecrossmember, one of which is shown being tightened here.

26. Here's the completed installation ready to go with thedriveshaft also reinstalled. The T5 yoke needs to be installed on thedriveshaft (which has been done here), and the driveshaft needs to beshortened by one inch. A good automotive machine shop should be able todo these things, as well as modify the bellhousing. All that's left isto install the CPC shift handle and fill the transmission with DexronIII ATF. All T5s use automatic transmission fluid--not gear oil.

27. The CPC shift handle (complete with a fake reverse-lockout)installs in place on a stock T5 shifter using the factory handle's two10mm bolts. Once installed with a vintage-looking five-speed knob, thesetup looks great with a new shift boot that will soon be installed onthis car.