Mustang Transmission Upgrade (S05E11)

Chris Duke shows you how to upgrade a transmission on a 2008 Ford Mustang GT. Guest appearance from Modern DriveLine’s Bruce Couture.

Episode Links

Craftsman
Modern DriveLine
Race Ramps

Partz Mentions

Craftsman C3 XCP Batteries
Colgan Original Bra
Colgan Mirror Bra
Covercraft TireSavers
BMR Lowering Springs
BMR Lower Control Arms
BMR Panhard Rod
BMR Sway Bars

Episode Notes

In this episode, Chris welcomes special guest Bruce Couture from Modern DriveLine. Together, they show you how to remove the stock transmission from our 2008 Ford Mustang GT project vehicle and replace it with a TREMEC T-56 Magnum XL 6 speed double-overdrive transmission which is available for the S-197 Mustang.

The reason for the upgrade? Viewers may remember last season (5) we showed you how to install a supercharger on this same vehicle. The often forgotten downside to adding that much horsepower and torque to a vehicle is that you might have to upgrade other drivetrain components (such as the transmission) or you run the risk of them failing. The stock 5-speed transmission from Ford, in this case, wasn’t able to properly handle the additional power, and the 5th gear blew out! We spent a lot of time researching new transmissions and ultimately ended up talking with Bruce who recommended the TREMEC T-56 6-speed.

After showing viewers how to remove the stock transmission, Chris and Bruce walk you through the process of installing the new TREMEC transmission. As you can see, the process is fairly straightforward. Just be sure you are able to lift your vehicle up high enough to be able to remove and install a transmission! We used Race Ramps, but you can also get by with four jack stands (the Craftsman 12 Ton jack stands featured in the episode would do it!). And finally, make sure you have lots of extra help! The transmission is quite heavy and it will require extra hands.

This episode features our regular segments, Partz, and Letterz. In “Partz”, Chris talks about Craftsman’s new XCP batteries for C3 cordless tools, car and mirror bras from Colgan Custom, Covercraft’s TireSavers, and Mustang suspension components available from BMR Suspension.

As always, be sure to stick around to watch our out-takes at the very end!

Music

This episode features an original Motorz theme song by Jeremy Pritchard.

68 Comments
  1. I love how they make everything look so easy. For instance, the shift knob removal. They just twisted off like it’s so easy. You don’t need a wrench. Not, it’s a bitch. Otherwise, it’s a good video for someone that has basic skills.

  2. WOW!! Way to go, new tranny and clutch yet you use the same old throw out bearing. Bet that’s the first thing to go.

  3. What clutch Is that? And how much can it handle. ..I’m looking to get his trans kit after winter and need a good clutch to go with it

  4. nice insight buys. I am wanting to convert my 2000 GT auto to manual. Finding a clutch and brake assembly is near impossible. so I am looking at used. what years/model assembly can i use? the 03/04 cobra has the aluminum quadrant already on so I was hoping it would work.

  5. Dear Santa…….Oh no it’s to late.I know the Race Ramps are probably expensive, so I was wondering how much the plain old Cruising Ramps cost.

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