VN Track car

[Finchy]

I am going to turn a 5lt v8 vn into a track car, does anyone have any idea's on what gearbox to put in it as it only has a auto at the moment, will a t5 be able to handle the loads.
Cheer's, Finchy

[Finchy]

Thanks for reply Nathan, i did not know the t5 came with different ratios, and i was prety sure the vn v8 all came with 3.08 diff ratio except for the ss, is this right.
Cheer's. Finchy.

[mr calais 5.0]

depends on how much $$ you wanna spend? We have a top loader in the mustang and we use it at the track and never had a prob...

[mischa]

Thanks for reply Nathan, i did not know the t5 came with different ratios, and i was prety sure the vn v8 all came with 3.08 diff ratio except for the ss, is this right.
Cheer's. Finchy.

3.08 all the way to VS not matter what the model is3.08. You can get things like 3.5, 3.45, 4.11 etc.

depends on how much $$ you wanna spend? We have a top loader in the mustang and we use it at the track and never had a prob...

Pretty much. How much do you want to spend? Btw T5 is what came out on Vn's and are stronger then getrags. Or there is the custom route, T56 will fit with the conversion bits and pieces, but thats up around the $7-8k. Also more custom ratios for the T56 and way stronger then you need for a stock 5L.

[Finchy]

Thanks for all this info guys, i am not doing any real racing, i mean not door to door stuff, just the sprints at Lakeside, and maybe some hill climb events, more fun then competitive, so i will probably just stick with a refurbished T5 with the origanal LSD 3.08, and see how i go. So if you know of anybody that has a T5 for sale please let me know. As for the motor i will be giving it a bit of a freshen up, mabe bigger cam, rebore with better pistons and rings, some head work, nothing major. i tend to spend more money on getting the car to handle more then the power plant, so If you have any other idea's i what else i can do then i will be happy for your time and input.
Cheer's, Finchy

[Morton]

I would back the T5 all the way. They're a compact box, with a cheap, easy to service clutch, and really with a cable clutch nothing can go wrong.

I used a T5 in my Statesman V8, and I'll be honest, while I never saw a race track it was driven every bit as hard as a track car, up many hills thorugh many twisting roads.

Here's the thing - if you rev match half-decently on downshifts, and just give the gearbox a bit of time to get its shit together on upshifts, you're not going to break it I'm not talking about shifting like Old Aunty Rumblebottom either. Just shift over the course of 0.5 seconds rather than SMASHING the shifter from first into second.

tl;dr: In my experience if you're not doing hard launches all day, a T5 is perfect. Cheap, basic, and easily servicable. Here's the thing, the shafts and gears in the V8 versions are plenty strong - it's just what they're all bolted too that is weak. When you dump the clutch on a drag strip with sticky tyres, the power coming in on the driven shaft basically wants to push the lay shaft out of its way, and in most cases does. Sustained high power in gear won't break 'em. I'll guarantee it

[GRPABT1]

With under 350hp you will be fine with a T5 on anything but slicks. And the previous poster stating all diffs up to VS were 3.08:1 was wrong, VN group A had 3.45 with a ZF 6 speed and the VR/VS stroker GTS's had 3.9's with a t56.

3.45's go well with a T5 behind a mild 5 litre.

And I like your thinking, my VN is being setup for track work at the moment with lots of custom suspension parts. PM me if you wanna pick my brain for info. Good to see another VN trying to shake the boat stigma haha.

[Finchy]

Thanks for the info guys, and yes please for picking your brain about suspension fit up and set up, only thing is that i am prety new at this forum stuff and i dont know what pm mens, LOL.
Cheer's, Finchy.

[Morton]

The best thing you'll be able to do for it, is shed weight. I dropped around 200kg from the wet weight of my VQ and you feel it everywhere

You accelerate faster, change direction with less inertia, and come to a stop much faster too. Shed weight everywhere you can - and the best part is it's free

[mr calais 5.0]

Are you going a roll ages as well.. We use advan tires on the mustang and play around with tire preassures as well cos that makes a huge differance too..

[Finchy]

Yes i want to put a cams certified roll cage in it as i would like to enter in some hill climb events as such, and yes i have found out the hard way about tyre presures in my VH at lakeside and i use a semi slick that they alow at lakeside, i forget the term they use for this type of tyre.
I will be shedding as much weight as posible, so if you know anydody that whants any interior items for a vn berlina, then they will be going very cheap.
Cheer,s, Finchy.

[Finchy]

Wow, i just got a quote from a specialised mechanic for a rebuilt t5 gearbox and all the boltons, this is a strengthened box and comes with every thing that is needed for the conversion. With postage a litle over $4000.00, any thoughts on this guys, this guy came highly recomended.
Cheer's, Finchy.

[NPreston]

You don't need a roll cage for your intended use. A roll cage is only needed in proper race situations. Hill climbs, street sprints, track sprints and super sprints do not require that a roll cage be fitted as you are racing the clock not other competitors. You can compete in state and national title hill climbs without a roll cage. Having said that it is a good idea to fit one although I have not yet got around to it myself.

[GRPABT1]

I'd look for a cheap T56, get a clutch, hydraulic pedal box and adapter plate from Malwoods and take to the bell housing with a grinder to suit the passenger side starter motor on the 304 and be happy knowing you won't blow the box. Not sure if the output shaft spline is different but pretty sure the stock tailshaft length is spot on.

[Finchy]

Actualy i thought it was a requirement for hill climb events like the Noosa clisic and even some timed events at tracks as well, like the one over at Warrick at Morgan park, and i thought they had to be cams certified, because my brother inlaw had to get his Mustang done, but i have never realy gone into the regulations as such, but i shall look into it before going any further. But i would like the security of one so i can push abit harder.
Funny you should mention Male Wood GRAPABT, thats who i got the price from, LOL he told me that with what i will be doing to the motor and what i will be doing on the track, that the box that he has rebuilt will take the load. Still $4000.00 is just under half my expenditure for this project, but i will have to have a long think about it.
Cheer's, Finchy.

[Finchy]

This is what i am getting for my money,

• RECONDITIONED 5SPEED T5 AND SHIFTER

• BELLHOUSING, FORK AND BUSH

• CROSSMEMBER AND MOUNT ASSEMBLY

• FRONT HALF OF TAILSHAFT

• NEW FLYWHEEL & BOLTS

• NEW HEAVY DUTY CLUTCH KIT

• COMPLETE PEDAL ASSEMBLY

• NEW CLUTCH CABLE AND SPACERS

• FLOOR INSERT AND BOOTS

• GEARSTICK KNOB

• TOTAL PRICE OF KIT $3890.

[GRPABT1]

So it's not just an exchange beef up of a T5 you already have? Is the car an auto being converted?

[Finchy]

Yeh sorry GRPABT1, its a auto conversion.