GTMark052

I have an 07 GT with about 4200+ miles on her. At any rate, after reading about various shifting issues with these manuals and the suggestions about changing out the fluid to a full synthetic I decided to do it. So, my questions are:
Would it be better that I get the dealership to do it instead of trying to do it myself? I have changed automatic trans fluids and screens/filters, but I've never done a manual transmission.
If it not too difficult and there aren't any special tools involved does someone have a link for a step by step guide?
thanks,
Mark

mark221

Manuals are way easier. On the driver side of the case there is a drain and a fill plug. A wrench will undo them drain the fluid then fill it back up. What fluid are you putting in, I'm thinking about going to a synthetic too.

Fryguy

Subscribing...

goldenpony

Read your owners manual, Ford doesn't want you to fill the fluid until it runs out any more. The book specifies how much below the fill hole threads the level should be, my '06 manual says 1/2" below the fill hole.
I just changed mine and I put in Royal Purple SyncroMax fluid. Pricey but good stuff.

dustindu4

how many bottles of the royal purple did you need?

also make sure that when you fill the fluid that the car is level.

GTMark052

Thanks for the info guys!
I've been reading as much about this as I can find. I'm looking at the RP synchro, Mobil 1 or Amsoil synth fluids for my transmission. The only thing that has me bothered is that I remember someone posting about some those fluids possibly having additives that could negatively affect some parts within the transmission.

One other thing, I assume that since the filler hole is on the side you would need some sort of pump or hose to direct the fluid in?

Thanks

BuzzyStang05

My choice is Redline, a special recipe I got from TDS (see sig). You can run a rubber hose through the center console between the shifter boot to get to the filler hole. I put in exactly 3.2 quarts and buttoned it back up. I first tried RP Synchromax for 5,000 miles but wasn't happy with the results. In the extreme summers of the Sonoran desert, my tranny sounded like a box of rocks. When I drained it, it smelled like fried chicken...With the thicker Redline mix, it quieted up nicely and still shifts great, even in the winter. Winter around here is rarely below 35 degrees, though. Summer we hit around 112.

metroplex

I jacked up the rear of the car so that I could crawl under the transmission to remove the drain plug and fill plugs. I inserted the output hose from my hand pump ($10 at AutoZone/Advance Auto) into the fill port and lowered the Stang so that it was level. Once you drain it, close up the drain plug and pump in the required amount.

The fill spec is ~3.2 qt of Mercon / Mercon-V. They changed it for 2008 to be Mercon-V, while 2005-2007 was Mercon. I would recommend a fully synthetic ATF that meets Mercon or Mercon-V. I chose to use slightly under 3 qt of Redline High Temperature ATF which is the thickest Mercon-spec synthetic ATF I could find.

I bought 3 qt but the pump loses about 1/8 of a quart or less inside the plumbing and pipes. I have always heard of shifting problems when you overfill the transmission and I rarely heard of issues with shifting being slightly under the fill requirement. Tremec and Ford have been eternally confused on what to use in the 3650 and how much to pour in. If you go from 2001 to 2008, you will see that the fill requirement and spec have differed greatly over the years.

After 5000 miles with the Redline High Temp ATF, my shifter feels very consistent. I can now shift using 2 fingers like a Getrag.

Gearhead

The drain plug has a magnet built-in that should be wiped clean of metal shavings. Also, both the drain and fill plugs should be wrapped with Teflon tape 3 to 5 full turns around. While holding the plugs with them on the end of your 3/8" square drive, wrap in a clockwise direction when facing the fluid-side of the plugs. Do not over-tighten these plugs. 25 Ft-Lbf is plenty tight (just snug them down).

RobK

I use Redline in all my trannys. I'm not a huge fan of ATF in a manual box. It's just too light.

metroplex

Don't use PTFE plumber's tape. Instead, use PTFE pipe thread sealant, the stuff designed for automotive applications. There's nothing wrong with the tape, I just prefer the sealant.

ATF is required for the 3650 due to the materials used on the synchronizer cones. Ford specifies either Mercon or Mercon-V.

RobK

I understand it's specified, but I don't use it. The main reason it's specified is to reduce parasitic losses and help boost economy and reduce emissions. They're not the only manufacturer to do this. It just doesn't lubricate as well under load as heavier weight lubes.

metroplex

What are you using now?
Ford specifies Mercon-V ATF for the GT500's TR-6060. If it is good enough to last 5-years / 60k miles with 500 bhp, then it is good enough for a meager 300 bhp.

dustindu4

i would still change it once a year

metroplex

I meant the transmission, not the fluid. I log about 3000 miles a year with the Stang, so I don't see myself having to change it again for another 5-10 years.

biznazion

I drained and refilled with a combo of Redline D4 (2 qt) and Redline MT90 (1qt). Initial impression is the tranny is a lot quieter with this mix.