T5Z a winner.. - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

fordfan351 · 09-05-2003, 08:44

I thought I would take the time to let you all know how happy I am with the T5Z that Mal Wood Automotive built for me.

The shift quality is outstanding(better on the first night of driving than my last box was for the entire time i owned it), and the actual quality of the construction of the box is absolutely first class.

A big thanks to Ben(WBT56) who turned the box over in one day for me at a price better than anyone in SA quoted me, and for all the assitance and advice he provided all the way through the process.

The car is far,far smoother on shifts and feels like it has picked up some go as well, not too mention the box no-longer has the customary t5 whine.

I thorougly recommend Mal Wood Automotive, their service is outstanding and quality of workmanship is awesome.

Regards

Daniel

XR8 Lamah · 09-07-2003, 14:48

Thats good to hear ! I'm hoping to get up there before the end of the year to get a Manual conversion done - and these sorts of reports are very reassuring :)

Now I've just got to work out how to explain me, the car and a stack of cash going missing for a while to the gf :/

biggaben · 09-08-2003, 02:02

lamah - same problem here...trying to save money to spend on car is easy - keeping her in the dark is!

old_mate · 09-08-2003, 02:51

What was the approx. cost for one of these? And do they handle more grunt than a regular 'diet coke' type T5?

Aaron_EF8 · 09-08-2003, 06:24

T-5Z are from the XR6T. Contrary to Motor/Wheels and the like, they can actually handle lots of power, 300+rwkw already.

Good to hear you're happy with it daniel, and the third gear is perfect, it just walked away from my car.....

fordfan351 · 09-08-2003, 07:53

Yeah couldn't be happier

Whole thing cost $2200 exchange, and I don't think they used anything except the extension housing.

I sent my utterly kained t5(they sent me back the input shaft as a trophy) in a large alloy lock box with Toll, i sent it on Tuesday night and got it back less than two weeks later.

They took real care in how they packed the box as well to make sure it was protected for the whole trip back to SA.

Basically nothing was left to chance at all.

P.S I don't have a missus to keep in the dark, they way i look at it is that having a car is enough expense and problems.

XR8 Lamah · 09-08-2003, 14:18

How do the ratio's compare with the oem T5's from the E series ?

fordfan351 · 09-09-2003, 06:07

Dunno, cause i dunno what the original ratios where.

The new box is

3.27 1st
1.98 2nd
1.34 3rd
1.00 4th
0.68 5th

It feels quicker, but at the same time ive been driving a 1.3 Corolla for the last two months while the Fairmont was off the road, so my perception is prolly a bit off.

My advise, don't think about it, just do it, it transforms your car, i use to struggle to keep my eyes open with the auto it was so boring, now just accelerating up thru the gears to 60 is fun.

I put in a v8 and an lsd at the same time as the manual which also helps, but at the same time gears make any car better in my opinion.

Aaron_EF8 · 09-09-2003, 06:39

Well, according to the book in front of me, here are the EF V8 ratios, compared with the ones above

T5Z------T5
3.27 1st 2.95
1.98 2nd 1.94
1.34 3rd 1.34
1.00 4th 1.00
0.68 5th 0.73

Actually, looking at those ratios, that's pretty wierd, because you were saying it revs higher in 5th than with the T5.

XR8 Lamah · 09-09-2003, 13:58

mebbe the new lsd was a different ratio ?

either way, I think that box sounds like it has real potential - will have to keep it in mind :)