G'day guys,

Just a few quick questions as I'm upgrading to a five speed.

Whats the difference between at T5 and a T9? I've found a sierra T9 5 speed for under a grand which seems pretty reasonable. Wondering if theres anything to look out for or pointers regarding these T9 gearboxes that some of you more seasoned enthusiasts might have?

Lots of info already here under forums/escort/gearboxes and differentials.
 
http://www.classic-ford.org/cfp/tm.aspx?m=62288
 
I've had one in  my rally car for 15 years and it's been great. They're much easier to get hold of now than they were back then too!

Thanks mud!

The main reason I'm putting a 5 speed behind my 2.0L pinto is for economy (and comfort) on the freeway... It'd be nice to comfortably cruise long over 100km/h... For anyone who's done this conversion, is this something the 5 speed will bring to my escy? I've noticed the gear ratios are the same as the four speed with the fifth gear being overdrive... Just wanting to get some personal opinions here??

Well worth doing, just keep an eye on Ebay for one generally about $900, I got one out of a Capri which needed modification of the input shaft, apparently the sierra type 9's bolt straight in.
Picked up a quick shift rose joint lever from the UK and I am very very happy with this.
Took about a day to install, custom crossmember is required, or moving of the mounts... Yeah theres heaps of info around for the install... 
If you have the time and money go for it.

Thanks for the reply rob. Hows it go with highway driving? Pretty comfortable?

Yeah of course it is, especially if you have some power to back it up, mine will do 5th gear through most of everything, heaps better on fuel and quieter... Just be ready for a bigger than expected job when you go to put it in... I had a bit of trouble fitting mine into the tunnel, I think theres a picture in the gearbox/transmission section of the mount I fabricated up...
 
Cheers,
 
Rob