Sometimes you don’t need to up-size to a large fry with your juicy burger. Sometimes a regular fry is just enough and, as an added bonus, saves you a few coins for the jukebox. Similarly, your street-brawler, small block A-body might not need a transmission to handle a top fuel Hemi when you’re running a mild-mannered 340. Enter Silver Sport Transmissions’ (SST) new T-5 5-speed transmission kit for Mopar A-bodies. “Not everyone needs a 500, 600, 700-horsepower transmission,” says SST’s VP of Sales and Marketing, Jeff Kauffman. He’s exactly right and the T5 kit is a lower cost option to fill the void.

Designed for any 1967-1976 Mopar A-body with a small block pushing 350 horsepower or less, their T-5 package offers a modern overdrive system for maximum driveability. Jeff goes on to say, “The T5 is a high technology, smooth shifting 5 speed and provides a 37% rpm drop for easy highway cruising.”

Based on the well-known T5Z that made its way into many a car in the ’80’s and ’90’s, it’s simple, light-shifting design is perfect for high-mileage daily drivers. For those that want a little more aggressive rowing of the gears, the STX short throw shifter mechanism is available as an add-on option. SST’s billet aluminum shifter arms, available in black anodized or natural finishes, offer a sleek, subtle upgrade over a standard chrome handle.

Weighing in at a minuscule 75 pounds dry, the T-5 tips the scales at nearly 40 pounds lighter than a cast iron A833. Not only do you lose the weight, but you gain a gear. Got a center console? No problem there as the T-5 will slip in with only the most observant onlooker noticing a shifter ball that maxes out at 5 instead of 4. Transmission tunnel modifications are necessary but minimal. Unlike most aftermarket kits, this one includes full documentation on where and how to make the cuts.

The base kit includes the 5-speed transmission, pilot bearing, driveshaft, cross member, isolator mount, speedometer cable, reverse light pigtail, basic hardware and SST’s own detailed installation manual.

Of course, that’s just the standard kit, and every order can be loaded with accessories to customize your application like an aluminum bellhousing, flywheel & bolts, clutch kit & bolts, hydraulic clutch actuator (20% effort reduction), reproduction pedals, STX short throw shifter (30% throw reduction), shift handle & ball (billet aluminum and pistol grips are available), shifter boot & trim ring, and fluids.

Kits start at $2,895, but SST recommends calling or emailing them in order to get a custom quote to fit your exact application. There’s nothing worse than buying a pile of parts only to realize you forgot a bolt or a bracket.

Calling them before you buy ensures the best possible scenario when a couple big SST boxes and an even bigger smile show up at your shop. Even if you have a bare shell, SST can provide everything from the engine to the rear end. Use their “Quick Quote” option online or call at (865) 609-8187.

<

►

>