300HPGT

To go into gear properly. I have 30700 miles on my 05' now and I am experiencing problems when i want to down shift from 2nd to 1st @ about 25mph. It sometimes grinds when I go to downshift and I IMEDIATELY stop trying to shift. And sometimes going from Reverse to 1st with the clutch in all the way it will grind. I also have dificulty shifting fast from 1st to 2nd and when I try to it grinds. Even just shifting at moderate speeds it dosnt like to go into gear smoothly. The trans was doing this even without the Steeda Shifter. Has anyone experienced this yet with our transmission????

dhof303

I talked to the TREMEC reps at the NMRA World Finals in Bowling Green KY, and they reported that this is an inherent difficulty with the factory Tremec 3650 that has a hydraulic clutch, it is caused by a lag in the time it takes the fluids to pass through orphices in the transmission. It can also be caused by too many ground gears while trying to powershift, such as your synchronizers are worn. I would suggest taking it to the Ford dealer and have them fix it, they did it on my 02 GT even though it had a cable clutch system. If the problem persists you can call Tremec and ask them where they reccomnend you have the orphices "drilled" out to help with a better fluid flow for smoother/quicker shifts.

300HPGT

Thanks for the tip. I had a feeling that it might be the syncros. But i didnt know about the fluid transfer. I am going to send it to Ford and see if they can work on my tranny. I have the 3 year 75,000 mile warranty.

mustangspeeder

I find that if I'm in neutral or another gear and try to downshift into first, it makes the grinding noise if my RPM's are higher than 1k. I've I'm below 1k then it doesn't make the noise.

manystangs

The manual says not to shift into first if you are over 10 mph (or it might have been 15mph) or transmission damage will occur.
Michael

Import-Slaya

If you want to go into first at speeds over about 10mph, you really have to double clutch it. Then it slides right in.

300HPGT

ok well I still have to get the 2nd gear problem fixed. But I didnt read the manual. My dad has a 90 Gt with a Tremec 3550 and dosnt have any problems downshifting. I dont see how it can damage the transmission but I am not a transmission expert. I used to not have any problems with that. But yeah i wont anymore and Ill start double clutching.

manystangs

Does the '90 have 3.55 gears?
Michael

300HPGT

4.10's

manystangs

Keep us posted!
Thanks,
Michael

blackened

why would one downshift to 1st at 25mph?

05WindveilGT

At least it's not a Dodge transmission, if you tried to downshift from 2nd to first at 25mph it would be all over the road. I swear those things are made out of Legos.

Matt

RadBOSS

I am a little skeptical about this oil flow statement above, or maybe i just read the comment incorrectly, but the manual trans does not have a oil circulation system per se, so there are no openings to make bigger and make it shift better or smoother.

I have lobbied a few complaints on this forum about shifting quality and no one has ever squawked back. To me the syncros have a draggy / notchy feel between shifts. Not all the time but for more than half the shifts. I do not believe it has anything to to with a hyd clutch ... these have been around for years, including shelby cobras, and they work fine unless they are leaking, and you will soon know that.

I had the dealer look at mine (3000 miles) and they said its fine. i complained to the service manager (6000 miles) and we both went out and drove mine and he then pulled an 06 right off the lot and we drove that aound too. Well guess what, its parctically the same feel. He has agreed to look at mine once more and to pull the drain plug to confirm the trans is not filling up with metal shavings (for my piece of mind).

I am beginning to think this may have more to do with Mercon ATF than the transmission parts. I may decide to try Mobil 1 synthetic AFT in hopes it may be slicker than Mercon. Mobil literature indicates it meets / exceeds the Mercon requirements.

For sure I am disappointed in Ford for letting a trait like this get to production (but then why do they let throttle hang go to production as well). I have not driven an earlier Mustang with the earlier Tremec trans ... maybe they do noy shift smoothly either?

Import-Slaya

The earlier Mustangs shifted the same (if not worse!). I also had it looked at by the dealer and they said it was nothing. Keep us posted on the synthetic. Sometimes synthetic tranny fluid can make the issue worse, as it is too slick and doesn't allow the synchros to function optimally. I recall reading somewhere that some friction modifier (just like for the rear) can be added and this can help.

300HPGT

I have had Mobil one before I posted this and it didnt make a difference. I down shift from 1st to 2nd sometimes at greater than 10 mph to pass someone or so i can slow down quicker vs. using my brakes all the time because I have that anoying sqeal from the factory. But I think my 1st and second gear syncros are gone. But I put in the full synthetic oil at 30,000 and it didnt make any difference.

300HPGT

The only thing I can think of is that the way they have the linkage set up with this transmission is not as reliable as the transmissions that have the shifter right into the top of the transmissions. We have to rely on a rod to move the forks that shift the gears vs. just having the shifter right into it. I think that causes a levrage problem. What I dont get is that its a TREMEC and is Supposed to be Bullit PROOF! ??????????? Anyone have any Ideas? :scratch:

dhof303

OK, I need to clarify the fluid flow thing. The 3650 in the 05 and newer cars is outfitted with a hydraulic clutch, all previous years 3650's that came in production Mustangs had a mechanical clutch. The timing issue comes from the movement of fluid or initial compression of fluid prior to it moving wheras the mechanincal clutch has no lag in movement unless it is out of adjustment or the cable is inadequate. Again I am not sure which part that TREMEC informed me would assist in solving the problem only that there is one if needed, call them if you are sceptical and ask the pro's.

RadBOSS

Well maybe that blows my theory about the lubricant. I believe ATF is generally not 'slick as compaired to other formulations ... in a auto trans the clutch plates are bathed in oil (as is your limited slip) so they still need some bite via friction modifiers, else they slip. My feeling is the Mobil syn ATF might be slightly slicker than Mercon. B&M Trick Shift ATF I believe was slicker too (I think they call it Quick Shift(?) now. Instead of the Ford ATF required in my Escort i used to Pro Rally, I ran the B&M trick shift in the manual gear box ... it worked great.

You know syncro rings did't just become invented TREMEC. These have been around about a century. My top loaded in my BOSS and and top loader Mustang i ever drove shifted smother and easier than this 21st Century TREMEC ... did these guys try to reverse engineer transmission technology? Very disappointing.

Hydraulic fluid in hyd clutch mechanisums is nearly incompressable. There is no take up or slack to deal with as with mechanical linkages. i just do't see that being the root problem here. A clutch maybe.

metroplex

Sorry to dredge up this thread but I have read more reports of this on 2006s and even 2007s. My TR-3650 doesn't feel "buttery smooth" and is only a few weeks old out of the factory.

Tremec has stated to use a Non-synthetic Texaco/Havoline Dex III/Mercon ATF but others have tried Royal Purple and other synthetic ATFs. Tremec even said that M1 ATF may cause problems in colder climates with "shift nibble".

I've grinded my gears once while downshifting from 3rd to 2nd (w/o revmatching or double-clutching) before coming to a turn. I let another person (emore xperienced/familiar with manual transmissions) drive it and he said he couldn't downshift into 2nd w/o really muscling it. I have noticed the same resistance downshifting into 1st before coming to a full stop (clutch is always in - pedal down to the floor).

I am going to try double-clutching or rev-matching to see if it is just operator error or the gearbox.

RKNMACH

I've been driving standard shifts since 1960 and I have to say I'm disappointed about the way this transmission shifts. It's "notchy" when up shifting and it is hard to get it back into first gear when downshifting at low speeds. Almost like the clutch isn't engaging properly. I'm reluctant to try powershifting because of the "notchiness' in the shift pattern. i haven't changed the transmission fluid yet (9100 miles) but don't think that will make a difference.