StriderTacticaL

As some of you may have known from my previous thread, I have a problem getting into 3rd gear at high RPM's. Basically when I took my car to the track for the first time last Thursday, I was shifting at about 5800-6000rpm (which now I know is too much) and no matter whether I did it hard or soft, it just wouldn't go into 3rd. It felt like it was locked out or something.

One of the ideas was that I could change my tranny fluid. Well this afternoon, I had my tranny fluid drained and I put in 3.2 quarts of Royal Purple Synchromax. I hoped this would fix the problem. I figured since I bought the car 4 months ago used, I mightaswell change my tranny fluid anyway so I know where the cars at from now on. Well just tonight, I made a couple of rounds around my block so that I could go onto the freeway ramp (there is usually no traffic on the ramp at this hour) to see whether the problem was solved or not.

Either the first time or second time, I shifted at 5500rpm to 2nd with no problems. Then when I went to third, I used some force and then suddenly the shifter went "in" something and then the car shook VIOLENTLY, very violently. It almost felt like I moved it to 1st gear and blew up the transmission even though I doubt this because I was directing it at 3rd and I heard that 1st gear had a lockout at high speeds. Or maybe I forced it into 3rd and the synchros couldn't keep up or something I don't know. All I know is my entire car shook bad but it only lasted about 1-2 seconds because I then put the clutch down quickly and moved the shifter back to N. It was almost like one time before when I accidently moved the shifter from 2nd to 3rd without the clutch and the transmission shook hard, but this time it was the whole car. Right after that I didn't notice anything feeling broken but I am extremely worried that I damaged something inside the transmission.


Well the other 4-5 times I tried to get it to 3rd, I realized that I could get it in third when I am between 5000-5500rpm's. But it took a considerable amount of force. I don't know if this is normal or should it go into 3rd as easily as doing so during regular driving? Also sometimes it felt like I was pushing it against 3rd and there was like a delay before it "let" me into 3rd.


And the last few times I tried, I tried at between 5500rpm-5800rpm. No matter how hard I pushed it into 3rd, it just wouldn't let me in.


I just can't figure out what the problem is and I am EXTRMELY fustrated about it. I am now also worried about the violent shaking thing that happened.


If anyone can shed some light over this issue, I would much appreciate it.



Thanks,
Brandon

SVTeeshirt

ok first of all wh en u shook, you probably did take it back to first, 2nd of all... did u not read any of the post in your other thread? you probably did because you said what i told you, your syncros are having trouble keeping up with such a large drop in RPMs and you should be shifting at 55-5700 not 6k, if the problem persists try powershifitng, just bounce your foot on the gas lightly to keep the RPMs a bit higher when shifting gears so your synchros can adjust easily, some people will argue it beats on ur car, but it can handle it and it saves ur syncros...

as for the problem going into 3rd your syncro is probably already starting to go...

StriderTacticaL

I am shifting now at 5200-5500rpm's. I'm pretty sure I tried all the shifting fast enough that the RPM's are not dropping that far.

And the whole synchro issue, is it a problem with my tranny or is it with all TR3650's? I did some browsing on the net and I found out that the 3650 has many problems...

SVTeeshirt

mustangs have been plauged with synchro problems forever lol, and shifting fast makes it harder for the synchro to catch up but you need to in order to have a good 1/4 time also you should still shift at 55-5700 rpms you just need to deal with ur synchro probably by powershifting or replace it, which i think is costly and requires a rebuild.

StriderTacticaL

Oh. How do I know if I truely have a synchro problem? I did some more browsing online about bad synchros and most of the time I hear people saying stuff like it's hard to get into gear, or you hear grinding. I have to assume they mean during normal driving circumstances. But for me right now after all that crap I just took my car out of r adrive and drivnig normally it's absoutely fine. I'm pretty sure shifting alittle higher at like 3000-4500 is still fine too.


By the way how do I know if my gears are grinding? I almost always drive with my windows down so I can never hear my shifter but just now I had the windows up with everything turned off so I can hear if I ****ed anything up. in 1st gear and some 2nd, I hear a very smooth WHIRRRRRRRRRRRRR sound. I have an MGW. This is not grinding right? this is just the louder gear noises from aftermarket shifters right?


Thanks

StriderTacticaL

Does anyone know if it can POSIBLY be my MGW shifter? Some people have reported similar problems with the MGW but I can't believe it would be at fault. But if theres a chance the shifter has something to do with it than I guess i'll order a tri-ax or something.

cliffyk

Are certain the clutch is throwing out all the way, how much freeplay is there in the clutch pedal? Push on the pedal with your hand, there should be 1" to 1-1/4" of movement before you feel the throwout bearing starting to press on the clutch springs. If there is more than that then the clutch cable is too loose.

If there is less than 1" to 1-1/4", or no freeplay, then the cable is too tight which can sometimes also cause difficult shifting.

If none of the above then the transmission has likely been thrashed. What did the old fluid look like, did you strain it, was there any visible metal in it?

This is not a common problem with 3650s in general, however 3650s that have been beaten to death by too many powershifts and/or too much track time will break some place along the line.

SVTeeshirt

^ i don't think it would be the clutch since its ONLY 3rd gear, and strider, if your synchros are bad you would probably be able to shift at low RPMS because your it is alot easier for your synchro to adjust to the slight rpm drop, also when ur just driving u dont shift as fast as when ur racing. You can feel when you grind gears lol its not a good feeling.

StriderTacticaL

Well I've felt the clutch pedal with my hand, and it feels fine.

As far as the tranny oil, I had it changed at pepboys. I always keep a strict eye on my car cause I don't trust anyone. I saw them drain the old fluid but I was like 10 feet away. I didn't see any visible metal, though I would assume it would be hard to see anyway.

Evenexchange

Don't worry about that whirring sound man. The guy before me put a short throw in my car but I don't know what brand it is unfortunately, but I will call him. Mine does the same thing and people ask me what kind of blower I have, lmao.