How To Install a Five-Speed in Vintage Mustangs

21. CPC supplies the bolts to secure the T5 transmission to the adapter plate. Although you can partially use the bolts to help get the transmission seated, in general, it's best to seat the trans as far as you can get it on the adapter plate before the final tightening of the bolts. Once the trans is seated, thoroughly tighten the four bolts in a cross pattern to ensure the T5 is in place, as flush as possible, on the adapter plate. In contrast to the Top Loader four-speed, the thickness of 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 Platinum Torque T5 are ready to go back into the car. The shifter is taken back off the transmission before the engine and trans are put back in the car. The shifter is then reinstalled with its four bolts and silicone sealant.

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

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

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

26. Here's the completed installation ready to go with the driveshaft also reinstalled. The T5 yoke needs to be installed on the driveshaft (which has been done here), and the driveshaft needs to be shortened by one inch. A good automotive machine shop should be able to do these things, as well as modify the bellhousing. All that's left is to install the CPC shift handle and fill the transmission with Dexron III 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 two 10mm bolts. Once installed with a vintage-looking five-speed knob, the setup looks great with a new shift boot that will soon be installed on this car.