'81 to 83 5 spd trans.

My service manual indicates the '81 to '83 5 spd trans is a Tremec, where it is basically a 4 spd trans with an overdrive mechanism installed in the extension housing.
Are these transmissions any use with a mildly built 302 (approx 225 to 250 hp)?
My guess is 'no' becuase they went to a T5 in '84 when the 302 had about 175 hp.
Any input would be appreciated.

My service manual indicates the '81 to '83 5 spd trans is a Tremec, where it is basically a 4 spd trans with an overdrive mechanism installed in the extension housing.
Are these transmissions any use with a mildly built 302 (approx 225 to 250 hp)?
My guess is 'no' becuase they went to a T5 in '84 when the 302 had about 175 hp.
Any input would be appreciated.


They went to the T-5 in 83-1/2. the SROD4 is not good in performance applications.

The SROD4 bellhousing can be used to mount a tremec 3550.TKO or a 4-speed toploader to a 302-351W so it has some use!

My service manual indicates the '81 to '83 5 spd trans is a Tremec, where it is basically a 4 spd trans with an overdrive mechanism installed in the extension housing.
Are these transmissions any use with a mildly built 302 (approx 225 to 250 hp)?
My guess is 'no' becuase they went to a T5 in '84 when the 302 had about 175 hp.
Any input would be appreciated.

OH, NO! Ive seen this first hand..... :grinyes: Tranny is now in what i call a "graveyard" -- first gear, has to be held in or it will kick out - Second gear, synchros toast --Third gear, tempromental wont go in at 3000+ rpms. Oh and when i drained the fluid it was like silver paint had been inside. Not good i might add. T5s are definately a must.

They went to the T-5 in 83-1/2. the SROD4 is not good in performance applications.

The SROD4 bellhousing can be used to mount a tremec 3550.TKO or a 4-speed toploader to a 302-351W so it has some use!
Thanks for the info. But the 81-83 Tremec 5 speed is not an SROD.

The SROD had an integral overdrive 4th gear (used in the Mustang II and in '79 and '80).
The Tremec has a direct drive (1:1) fourth gear with an overdrive 5th gear (essentially a small planetary gear) in the tailshaft.

I had an SROD in my '79 pace car. I modified the 302 a fair bit but never blew up the trans.......although I was a starving student back then with no money for repairs, so I never leaned on it too hard.

Thanks for the info. But the 81-83 Tremec 5 speed is not an SROD.

The SROD had an integral overdrive 4th gear (used in the Mustang II and in '79 and '80).
The Tremec has a direct drive (1:1) fourth gear with an overdrive 5th gear (essentially a small planetary gear) in the tailshaft.

I had an SROD in my '79 pace car. I modified the 302 a fair bit but never blew up the trans.......although I was a starving student back then with no money for repairs, so I never leaned on it too hard.

I can't find anywhere that says a Mustang had anything but an SROD-4 from 79-83(early) for a standard transmission.

And if you have a 81-83 Tremec 5-speed it's not a T-5 cause Tremec didn't make T-5's till they bought Borg warner in the late 80's early 90's

I think that they started making the t-5s almost half way through 1984, maybe early 1985?

I think that they started making the t-5s almost half way through 1984, maybe early 1985?

Ford started putting T-5's in Mustangs 83-1/2 like I said above.

If your talking about when Tremec bought Borg warner it definetly wasn't until the end of thr 80's

maybe i was thinkin about 83 1/2? I dont know, but thanks for correcting it.