And yet more questions...

Posted by cgrey8 from vpn.automatedlogic.com (68.208.14.2) on Monday, November 01, 2004 at 12:02PM :

In Reply to: Re: Newbie with lots of questions... posted by cgrey8 from vpn.automatedlogic.com (68.208.14.2) on Monday, November 01, 2004 at 11:41AM :

Registered Ranger

Malcolm's conversion work follows very closely with the work I want to perform on my '89 Ranger. Naturally, I want to hear all about the pitfalls that can be avoided. So this makes Malcolm and his discussion board here my new best friend. His truck is the same body style as mine, using a 302 with a T5 just as I want to do. The biggest difference between his truck and mine is his truck is a standard cab where mine is a Supercab.

After getting excellent feedback, I found I now had more questions to answer. But I also thought others may have valuable info to offer as well so I'm posting my follow-up questions here.

_______________________

Looking at the gearing indications on mercuranger's site (http://www.mercuranger.com/t5tremec.htm), it appears I can get a T5 with some very low gears (3.35 in 1st) and .675-.68 in 5th, which gives a very broad range for good takeoff and cruising. His site is the ONLY site I've seen that indicates a T5 with this wide of a gear ratio. That tends to indicate to me that finding such trannys will not be an easy task. I believe your Explorer 8.8" RE is 3.73:1. What are your T5 gear ratios and how does it pull in 1st/2nd and cruise in 5th with those ratios?

Would lower gearing in 1st be nicer or just make it easier to create tire smoke (thus the std T5 1st gear of 2.95 is good enough)? I intend to put 15" rims at some point, but for the meantime, factory rims and tires will work fine especially since those are details for the far future compared to where I'm at now.

Do you have any pics of the AC box so I can see how much you chucked out and how much clearance the chunk gave you to the valve cover?

I know in my existing V6, the passenger side sparkplugs are not exactly easy to get to. You only mention the driver side back plug being an issue. How are the passenger side back plugs?

I believe your pics showed an engine with aluminum heads on the block decks. They sort of looked like Edelbrock Performance but I could not tell. Can you give some details on the heads & pistons? CCs, estimated compression, Intake/Exhaust valve diameters, etc.

If you had it to do over again, would there be a different head/header combo that would have fixed more issues than they caused?

I have always wanted to use Trick Flow's Twisted Wedge heads however I have NEVER had anybody say anything good about them. It is either been they suck or they are just ok. You have a pic on the site with some Trick Flow valve covers leading me to believe you may have experience or know the person that does have experience with Twisted Wedge heads.

Now, I am more in the mindset to use a head/header combo that someone else has used with success and recommends due to fewest mods particularly to the frame. Performance is not my all comsuming goal. I'm more interested in fuel economy without sacrificing the ability to show up the Bowtie punks that think Rangers can't kick ass too.

Automated Logic Follow Ups: Re: And yet more questions...answered - cgrey8 10:57AM 11/03/2004 (0) Post a Followup Name: E-Mail: ( default ) Subject: Message: : Malcolm's conversion work follows very closely with the work I want to perform on my '89 Ranger. Naturally, I want to hear all about the pitfalls that can be avoided. So this makes Malcolm and his discussion board here my new best friend. His truck is the same body style as mine, using a 302 with a T5 just as I want to do. The biggest difference between his truck and mine is his truck is a standard cab where mine is a Supercab. : After getting excellent feedback, I found I now had more questions to answer. But I also thought others may have valuable info to offer as well so I'm posting my follow-up questions here. : _______________________ : : Looking at the gearing indications on mercuranger's site (http://www.mercuranger.com/t5tremec.htm), it appears I can get a T5 with some very low gears (3.35 in 1st) and .675-.68 in 5th, which gives a very broad range for good takeoff and cruising. His site is the ONLY site I've seen that indicates a T5 with this wide of a gear ratio. That tends to indicate to me that finding such trannys will not be an easy task. I believe your Explorer 8.8" RE is 3.73:1. What are your T5 gear ratios and how does it pull in 1st/2nd and cruise in 5th with those ratios? : Would lower gearing in 1st be nicer or just make it easier to create tire smoke (thus the std T5 1st gear of 2.95 is good enough)? I intend to put 15" rims at some point, but for the meantime, factory rims and tires will work fine especially since those are details for the far future compared to where I'm at now. : : Do you have any pics of the AC box so I can see how much you chucked out and how much clearance the chunk gave you to the valve cover? : I know in my existing V6, the passenger side sparkplugs are not exactly easy to get to. You only mention the driver side back plug being an issue. How are the passenger side back plugs? : I believe your pics showed an engine with aluminum heads on the block decks. They sort of looked like Edelbrock Performance but I could not tell. Can you give some details on the heads & pistons? CCs, estimated compression, Intake/Exhaust valve diameters, etc. : If you had it to do over again, would there be a different head/header combo that would have fixed more issues than they caused? : I have always wanted to use Trick Flow's Twisted Wedge heads however I have NEVER had anybody say anything good about them. It is either been they suck or they are just ok. You have a pic on the site with some Trick Flow valve covers leading me to believe you may have experience or know the person that does have experience with Twisted Wedge heads. : Now, I am more in the mindset to use a head/header combo that someone else has used with success and recommends due to fewest mods particularly to the frame. Performance is not my all comsuming goal. I'm more interested in fuel economy without sacrificing the ability to show up the Bowtie punks that think Rangers can't kick ass too. Optional Link ( default ) URL: Title: Optional Image Link ( default ) URL: