I have a concern with manual transmission (06 mustang gt). During hard acceleration, I have have a hard time getting the 2nd to 3rd gear up shift. It will not engage 3rd on the 1st try. During normal driving there is no problems. I'm not sure if its a transmission issue or a clutch issue. Has any one else had this problem? If so any solutions would be much appreciated.

 

im assuming it grinds... welcome to the life of the factory mustang shifter. people have been replacing their shifters with aftermarket shifters for years because the 2-->3 shift is so easy to miss. Not sure about with the 05+ mustangs, but a nice shifter for earlier model cars only runs about $180. Check out the steeda tri-ax and the b&M ripper. im sure there are plenty of other out there as well.

 

The problem is you, not the transmission and not the shifter. The 3650 takes some practice, but im 99.9% sure that you are getting ancy in hard acceleration, and you are trying to force the shifter will pushing it to the left. Thats why it works fine during normal driving. The shifter should select easily and smoothly. The thing is that a new shifter will help you a little bit, but it will not cure the problem overall. You need to master the stock shifter (really learn how to drive this car) and then get a new shifter, because then it will help, you will be able to take advantage of the slightly faster shifts. However, Ill tell you that beside "feel", the shifter will not make you faster, the stock shifter is perfectly capable... you just have to learn to use it.

In case its not the shifter do this, grab the clutch pedal and pull up firmly, it should re-adjust and that will help you.

 

yeah, its not actually the shifters problem, but the aftermarket shifters make it easier to get it into 3rd. the steeda has a spring loaded centering piece that helps you align with 3rd gear. you can hit 3rd gear with the stock shifter under hard acceleration with no problem, it just takes some practice.

 

Both HURST and B&M have introduced remote shifters that give better feel and more positive shifts to the late 3650. The HURST is performance oriented, the B&M provides better isolation to the body so you don't have "shifter buzz" in the cabin. I have checked both units out and they are well made products, as you would expect from these well established companies. Steeda does a heck of a job too.

Now, to the problems inside the transmission and out. There are some significant issues with the release bearing if you have ever had it out. Bleeding them is a pain. The other issue is clutch ballooning, that is, the clutch disc getting thicker at high rpms and staying on the plate too long. Full disengagement of the clutch is essential to smooth shifting, especially at high rpms. Not only that, if you have a clutch drag problem you will wear out the synchros, bend the cheap OE forks and pins and do permanent damage to the transmission. A LOT of aftermarket clutch discs are too thick and have too much cushion for the OE systems from 1996 all the way up to the current model. I know it sounds simple, but check these things and you may find that it is not the transmission at all.

Hope this helps.
Gray@AP

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Ive changed the trans fluid, which seems to help. The car shifts much smoother and 3rd gear is not so notchy.

 

TREMECs are known for being notchy and having shifting mechanism issues at times, which just compounds any driver errors. Aftermarket shifters with positive stops(Steeda Tri Ax for example) are good because the stops prevent you from damaging forks/rails etc. What fluid are you running? Make sure it's a very high quality fluid of what is specified.

 

I am glad to hear that a fluid change made some difference. Even so, make sure you check your clutch disengagement. So many Mustang owners have transmission issues due to the stress of clutch drag that I cannot stress it enough. Sorry to sound like a broken record (scratched CD for you youngins). Gray@AP

 

I've practiced. I still miss 3rd. Gonna install an aftermarket..... what's the most precise shifter? ('08 Bullitt).

 

I have 0 issues with my Tri Ax on a TKO 600