Wanted: for Ford to build a Falcon with a decent manual tranny

pauljh74 · 05-05-2005, 12:16 PM

I've owned both an XE Falcon with a 4 speed manual and now an EL XR6 with a 5 speed. I figured out that the shift quality of these cars isn't quite up there. But it was highlighted today by the fact the 92 Laser with 5 speed manual I got today as a loan car shifts better than either of my cars I have owned. Even after 13 years, this Laser shifts better than my EL XR6 did at 2 and a half years old when I got it. While the Laser has defined slots and fairly easy to engage, the Falcon can be notchier and be unwilling to downshift from 5th to 3rd or anything to 2nd. Then there's the crunch that comes from downshifts to 2nd if you're doing 50+ km/h - this is the only gear that does this.

**Polyal** · 05-05-2005, 12:43 PM

ah righto...its called evolution, doesn't happen overnight unfortunatley.

Have you tried the ford against, say a commy?

The T5 is a widely used g'box that has its flaws (like all); but overall is not that bad. And your T5 is going to be "not as good" as the laser because its handling a lot more power, size, weight etc etc.

merlin · 05-05-2005, 12:57 PM

I found the T5 in my BA XR6 to be fine....but theres plenty of others out there who don't like it.

Rodp · 05-05-2005, 03:50 PM

I prefer the T5 in my BA XR8 to the T6 in my previous SS in shift quality, it's magnitudes better. However, I preferred the ratio's of the SS better (well, apart from 6th most of the time)

Psycho Chicken · 05-05-2005, 07:07 PM

Bring back the Toploader!

Oh, you were complaining about shift quality.

**kypez** · 05-05-2005, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodp

I prefer the T5 in my BA XR8 to the T6 in my previous SS in shift quality, it's magnitudes better.

BA XR8's have the T3650 not a T5 and the SS is the T56 variant. There are a few of them with different ratios. The MK2 XR6T and XR8 have a version of the T56 that is different ratio to the T56 in the SS.

The T3650 is ok. Its pretty sturdy, I've more than put it through its paces. What I find failing is the driveshafts and diff, and even the diff mounts. Broken all of them, not impressed with that bit, but the box seems strong and good.

YOOT · 06-05-2005, 07:17 PM

My T5 is great, one of the nicest boxes I've had the pleasure of stiring regularly.

Jamie XR6 · 07-05-2005, 11:02 AM

The T5 in my AUII XR6 was a piece of crap. By the time I sold it the car had done 27 000kms and the gearbox had a habit of jumping out of first. The car was bought new and never abused.

The T5 in my XR6T has now done about the same kms as the AUII and doesn't jump out of gear but it feels a lot sloppier than the AU did. I do drive the T harder and of course there is a lot more power and torque being put to the box. The main problem now is the backlash transmitted through the driveline.