FE to ZF 5spd trans?

STYLN63 · Post by **STYLN63** » November 29, 2007, 10:07 pm

Has anyone tried to convert (or seen anything about it) a ZF 5spd trans to a FE block?

Post by **Greg D** » November 29, 2007, 10:15 pm

The ZF 5 speed probably would handle the torque of an FE. I believe it has an integral bellhousing that would not fit the FE and that is where the problem lies. The ZF also has a "box" on top of it (shifter housing) that I don't believe will clear even the tall floor hump in a Slick.
You can get a Tremec T 500 or 600 to work fairly easy but $$$$.

STYLN63 · Post by **STYLN63** » November 30, 2007, 12:17 am

There won't be a problem of too much torque, they handle the diesels just fine. I ran one behind a 460 in a 20K lb. car hualer for quite a few years. I am not really worried about modifying the tunnel either. The way I see it, and I haven't done any measuring yet...
The FE bolt pattern is narrower at the top than the 385 series, so it may be as simple as building a plate with both bolt patterns cut into it but, I don't know how long the input shaft is and things like that.3

And... I can't remember if they made a granny box for the FE??? They made one for the Y-block but I just can't remember about the FE...

shawns fords · Post by **shawns fords** » November 30, 2007, 10:29 am

you can have a shop cut down the housing and then have them make a spacer to adapt to the FE bolt pattern, this is how some drag racers will make a powerslide fit up to whatever they are trying to fit. ir you find an adapter like the ones for the 7.3l and run a dual mast flywheel then you lose all your HP with the 100 lb dual mast lol. I dont really like the idea of cutting down a case to adapt a different bolt pattern, if the guy doing the work is just a tad off it wil lfit but could cause other problems later on that nobody will even notice. like slowly wearing out the input shaft bearing or eating up a pilot bushing. or even worse tearing up gears in the case.

Post by **Greg D** » November 30, 2007, 12:26 pm

Just found this (while checking on the ZF bellhousing).

http://www.high-impact.net/transmission ... tick_trans

Slick Fan · Post by **Slick Fan** » November 30, 2007, 1:58 pm

Greg D wrote:Just found this (while checking on the ZF bellhousing).

http://www.high-impact.net/transmission ... tick_trans

Nice site! :thumright:

STYLN63 · Post by **STYLN63** » November 30, 2007, 2:38 pm

Thanks Greg...I'll call them today!

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » November 30, 2007, 2:43 pm

The NV4500 that I drove in a Dodge truck [albumimg]1965[/albumimg]shifted like a dang sports car.drove it for 25 hours over 3 mountain ranges, the Rockies, the Cascades, and the Selkirks,once there, and once back. I know which I would pick if I had me druthers.
Also, there is a member here who has done that conversion..

my66longbed · Post by **my66longbed** » November 30, 2007, 5:36 pm

Yeah I did the NV4500 conversation in my 66. I got the adapter from Advanced Adapters. I pretty much followed this guys instructions when I did it.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/idx/ ... ssion.html

STYLN63 · Post by **STYLN63** » December 1, 2007, 6:26 pm

Wow, that's great, Thanks.