RWD Conversion questions

[Power Surge]

I changed the title of this thread, because I may be embarking on a RWD project and thought it would be easier to just ask everything here. Plus it would be a good reference for other's who might search out the info.



Can people post some pics of the engine out the car, and preferably with the oil pan off as well? Trying to determine if it's possible to do a front sump oil pan for a RWD swap.

On a related note, I noticed on a search, mention a while back about doing a separate RWD forum to put all the RWD conversion info into. Is that still possible?

 

[Toolman]

That is a good idea (RWD section)

 

[Power Surge]

Ok then....

 

[EarlyBroncoGuy]

 

[zoomlater]

The first link has engine photos about halfway down. On the second link, there is more information as well
Thanks go to Bob (itwonder) again for storing these photos and documents

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/moz77s4au3hfx09/AADRW1HkbOsxdK9m7ctCkz05a?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/77a1h1wsvvdmtox/AACBSbusdJqRt-PIONbmMpeTa?dl=0

 

[Power Surge]

Thanks guys! Those pics and links are perfect!

Definitely looks like I could build a front sump pan on that motor

 

[Power Surge]

Ok, let's talk transmissions (manuals). BTW I'm using a 3.2, if that makes any difference in any of this.

Bolt up units.

-Is the M5OD the only 3.0 ready trans?
-If I were to use an M5OD, what flywheel and clutch setup needs to be used?

Adapted units.

I believe the options are the Aerostar bell with a T-5, or any SBF trans with the cididit adapter.

For the Aerostar bell, you need an adapter that I believe goes between the trans and the bell.

-Any pics of this adapter?
-And you need a long input 94-95 T-5. Is this correct?
-What clutch/flywheel setup is needed for this version?
-What starter is used?

For the cididit adapter, I would probably use a fox body T-5 or a 94-95 long input T-5, since I don't think any other Tremec's would fit in the trans tunnel.

-Using a 5.0 T-5, does it still need the long input shaft? I would think with either the before the bell or after the bell adapter, the trans is still moved back from the motor. But then again, there may be a difference in bellhousing depth between the 5.0 bell and Aerostar bell.
-Clutch/flywheel with this setup?
-Does the cididit adapter use the stock SHO starter?

Are there any other manual trans options I'm missing?

 

[Power Surge]

tap tap... mic check...

 

[Power Surge]

 

[zoomlater]

You can try starting a conversation with Tom, Off Road Sho. Not sure how often he comes on here, but he pops up from time to time

Have you already searched on this forum for this topic. Might take a little while

https://shoforum.com/index.php?threads/rear-wheel-drive-sho-set-up.127508/#post-1409647

 

[Power Surge]

You can try starting a conversation with Tom, Off Road Sho. Not sure how often he comes on here, but he pops up from time to time

Have you already searched on this forum for this topic. Might take a little while

https://shoforum.com/index.php?threads/rear-wheel-drive-sho-set-up.127508/#post-1409647

I didn't know Tom wasn't around here much anymore.

I've read most of the RWD posts a bunch of times. Still some unanswered questions, and I was hoping to maybe consolidate most of that info into this one thread, to make it easier for future people searching.

 

[rubydist]

Sorry I missed this earlier. The M5OD for the 3.0 Vulcan will bolt up with just a little trimming around the right head. The M5OD uses a hydraulic clutch release system, and that is the best way to go - don't try to convert to a mechanical linkage. You need a clutch disc with 23 teeth rather than the 20 teeth for the SHO. iirc, what guys have done is taken the 4.0 M5OD clutch disc (10.0") and had it cut down to 9.75" for use in that application, and use the SHO pressure plate.

My understanding is that you need the longer input shaft version of the T-5 regardless of which adapter way you use.

You also have the M5OD-R2 from the SuperCoupe as an alternative. That trans has a higher torque capacity than the T-5, but does not shift as well. The SuperCoupe trans also uses the hydraulic clutch release system. For that, you need a clutch disc with a 10 tooth spline. iirc, the crossover is to use one from some Chevy, but I don't recall which car it was. I actually had a SuperCoupe trans bolted to a SHO motor at one time with the cididit adapter, but then I realized the SHO motor was not going to fit in the RX7 worth a crap, so I went a different direction and have since sold all that stuff. The cididit adapter and the SuperCoupe trans each needed a little trimming around the right head on the SHO motor. If you get a SuperCoupe trans, make sure you get one that has decent blocking rings, as the syncro parts for that are about as hard to source as the syncro parts for the SHO transmission...

 

[zoomlater]

these don't show up very often

https://jalopnik.com/we-all-need-this-ford-aerostar-we-may-just-not-realize-1822887798

Located in Grand Rapids, 87K

 

[rubydist]

After further thought, I believe the clutch disc crossover for the SuperCoupe trans is from a Z34 Lumina.