[DrivingSimulators]

They rebuilt the first one at ~800 miles to replace the shift fork and to fix excess gear whine and the clunk issue. After the rebuild, it still crunched in 2nd while cold and in first while cold or hot. They did fix the clunk and reduced the gear whine. I had taken the car to my mechanic to put Redline D4 ATF in the transmission but he pointed out that the transmission was leaking (most of the case was covered with ATF).

I took it to the dealer yesterday (I'm also having them at least document the cold engine rattle; I realize there is currently no fix, and that Ford is stating that the condition is normal; just want it documented in case there is a recall in the future).

I called today to check on the car and they were waiting for parts. I asked what parts they are waiting for, and after a few minutes waiting on hold, the service advisor states, "A brand new $4000 transmission". Man, that's a lot of money, especially when it appears that new Tremec's go for $1300-$1500 (without a core). I guess the price is going up, as someone posted here that the dealer told them $3800 (perhaps there is some liberal rounding by the dealers?).

They stated that it will take a couple of days to get the transmission. In the meantime, instead of driving a black Bullitt, I'm now driving a white Focus automatic.

 

[lee50guru]

please post whatever TSB or service numbers they give you so we can all put this to bed!

 

[DrivingSimulators]

Lee,

Will do. At this point I just want a transmission that does not leak, whine or clunk. It appears that Redline D4 ATF will solve most of the crunch issues (unless the build tolerance is way off).

Thus, the solutions appear to be:

1. For minor crunching, Redline D4 ATF.
2. For major crunching + 1st gear problems, new transmission.
3. For those with more cash than time or patience: Replace the 3650 with a Tremec TKO (around $1500 new, no core), or a Tremec T-56 6-speed (around $2599 new, no core).

It's puzzling that the dealers are stating that they are charging Ford $4000 to replace the 3650. For that kind of money, it would have been nice to ask Ford for $3000, give them back the old 3650 (which can be reman'd) and have a new T-56 put in from a private mechanic, then call it even.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: DrivingSimulators on 2002-01-13 19:52 ]</font>

 

[Bullitt2981]

Today while I was under #2981 changing the manual transmission fluid to Redline D4, I noticed a sticker attached to the transmission "made in Mexico". Are all Transmissions made in Mexico? Any made in the USA? If so, does there appear to be any history as to which is the better?

 

[Mid Life Crisis #388]

TREMEC
Transmisiones y Equipos Mecánicos S.A. de C.V.(TREMEC), is a Unik Group enterprise, in the auto-parts sector of the DESC Corporation.

TREMEC was established in 1964.
Having succeeded in regional and national development, it started its export program in 1971, looking to promote its products on an international level.
Spicer Group acquires the factory in May, 1994.

TREMEC is dedicated to the development, design, manufacture, international sales and service of automobile products, including rear-wheel-drive mechanical transmissions ( along with their components ) for the auto industry, primarily for high performance cars and pick-up trucks.


Its all made in Mexico.
_________________
Mid Life Crisis #388



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mid Life Crisis #388 on 2002-01-14 00:14 ]</font>

 

[H1RESQ]

Had a Ford Mechanic tell me they discontinued the Tremec 3650 and were going with the T series trannys. He said the 02 GTs don't have the Tremec, but had the T series. He couldn't recall which one. Maybe Mr. T knows?

 

[DrivingSimulators]

Click on Tremec at http://www.ttcautomotive.com/

Looks like the T-45 may be the replacement for the TR-3650. Still for $4000, please give me the 6-speed T-56 and some change :smile: .

T-5
This five-speed transmission from TTC was developed for a broad range of vehicle applications. The TREMEC T-5 is designed for passenger car and compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) requirements.

TR-3350
The TREMEC TR-3350, from TTC, was developed using state-of-the-art technology. This five-speed overdrive transmission was designed for light duty pick-up trucks and similar vehicles with high torsional coupling engines.

TR-3450
This five-speed overdrive transmission from TTC was developed using state of the art technology. The TREMEC TR-3450/TR-3650 is designed for rear wheel drive pick-up trucks & cars and is ideal for specialty sports cars equipped with high torque engines.

TR-3550
This five-speed overdrive transmission from TTC was developed using state of the art technology. The TREMEC TR-3550 is designed for rear wheel drive cars and is ideal for specialty sports cars equipped with high torque engines.

T-45
This five-speed overdrive transmission from TTC was developed for adaptation to a wide range of vehicle requirements. Currently the TREMEC T-45 is being used on the Ford Mustang and Mustang Cobra.

T-56

This six-speed overdrive transmission from TTC was developed for adaptation to a wide range of vehicle requirements. Currently the TREMEC T-56 is being used on the Dodge Viper, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Corvette, and Pontiac Firebird.


If the Tremec website is up to date, then indeed the T-45 is being used for Mustangs and Cobras (2002?).

I wonder if that means they are replacing the 3650 in my car with a T-45? That'd be cool if it works better. If so, then no aftermarket shifters will be useable?

[Update: from reading Steeda's site, it looks like the T-45 is the older transmission (1998). I have found T-56 6-speeds as low as $2299. They drop into 4.6L apps with minor mods. There is also a T-56 Tri-Ax...]


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: DrivingSimulators on 2002-01-14 03:12 ]</font>

 

[Bullitt2981]

Thanks to all for the info on our "south of the border" tranny's.

 

[shayesky]

I got my car back today with a brand spanking new drop shipped from the factory Tremec 3650. Took it in this morning, had it back by 4pm. Techs put 30 miles on it demoeing it. I hate to think about how it was driven. Cashier looks at me and says, you realize you just had over 5K worth of warranty work done on a two month old car. Yep I says. The mexicans used some bad shift forks. Anyway, Tranny is somewhat tight, needs breaking in, but shifts are smooth. No 3-2 grind, no clunk, no cold notchiness. I just regret not having Ford install a tri-ax while it was apart :sad:

 

[DrivingSimulators]

Wow, my car has been at the Dealer for over a week now: they tell me they are waiting on a replacement transmission.

The Focus rental car needs to be upgraded at this point...

Great news to hear the replacement tranny works well.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: DrivingSimulators on 2002-01-16 00:36 ]</font>

 

[shayesky]

I waited a week for the tranny to come in, but they let me keep my car since it was going to be a swap. Techs drove it, decided replace, and didn't tear my car apart. I too, drove a Focus rental car. I lost a lot of races :smile:

 

[DrivingSimulators]

Yes, I'm really enjoying the Focus :wink:. We should at least get a V6 vehicle...

Excellent news that the replacement tranny works correctly! Can't wait to get the Bullitt back. If the tranny doesn't show up by tomorrow, I've asked to take the Bullitt for the weekend to clean it (it's black. It's been outside for a week at the dealer: tons of chemical fallout and no shelter == very dirty Bullitt).

 

[shayesky]

if you car is torn apart, good luck! I wouldn't let anyone other than myself do the washing!

 

[DrivingSimulators]

Just called the dealer. In addition to waiting for the transmission, there is another "issue" they are looking at. I submitted to them in writing to not work on the car (engine and transmission issues) without my authorization (diagnose only). If the car is apart, Houston, we have a problem.

I am having trouble communicating with this dealer. They have only returned my calls once. They have never returned any emails. Will now try the fax.

Update: They are now communicating better...


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: DrivingSimulators on 2002-03-24 06:15 ]</font>

 

[shayesky]

Find another dealer! Mine has been awesome. they had to order me some new driver's seat tracks for the back and forth rocking motion.

 

[DrivingSimulators]

Got my Bullitt back today. Transmission is still on order. Apparently, they never ordered the transmission. Car sat on their lot for a week. Ford had to pay for the rental car. Not very efficient for Ford.

Good news: Wind noise apparently fixed. Haven't rolled down windows yet though. Will see how long it stays quite. Rattles still persistant. Will try to fix them myself.

Car had 92 extra miles on it. Guess they had to drive it a lot to fix the wind noise. Checked the wheel wells for rubber (none), wheel rims for curbing (OK), front end for scraping (new scrapes present).

Car is filthy: water spots, dirt, grease, etc. Will get a good cleaning this weekend. I asked them if it was their policy to deliver cars to their customers that way, and they stated that they don't like to wash black cars. That's OK by me, but the grease should have been carefully removed. When selling the cars, how do they keep black cars on the lot clean. Hmmmm...

Update: New sound heard while driving back to my office from the dealer: while turning at 40+ on a bumpy turn, I'm hearing loud suspension or engine noise (sound like a metallic rattling sound, kindof like a slinky toy sound).

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: DrivingSimulators on 2002-01-17 21:11 ]</font>

 

[Gibscreen]

Regarding using the T45 in the 2002s, you can't go by Tremec's website saying that the T45 is used in Mustangs and Cobras because it isn't current. It said the same thing back in July when I was getting ready to buy my Bullitt.

 

[DrivingSimulators]

Gibscreen,

Regarding Tremec's site: yes, it appears to be outdated. Looks like the replacement transmission is another 3650...

 

[shayesky]

Update:

After about 300 miles on the new tranny, it is awesome! It is so smooth shifting, I am debating whether I really need that triax shifter. I had my new seat tracks put in yesterday, no rocking, but i noticed my traction control didn't kick in this morning, maybe I didn't get on it hard enough. I think the Ford tech disabled that PITA seatbelt alarm, yeah!

 

[DrivingSimulators]

OK, the new transmission is in (another 3650). So far, it shifts great (driven about 60 miles). Sometimes it goes into gear completely smoothly, other times there is a slight notchiness (like the 6-speed in my C5). It also goes into first without a problem. The shift effort is not tight at all: it does not feel like it needs to be "broken in".

The transmission has a different feel and a different sound to it (not excessive, just sounds crisper when whining (normal)).

In summary, it feels like it should for a new transmission in a high HP/TQ vehicle (not as smooth as my wife's 130HP Mazda, which feels like it has a teflon shifter working through butter). The Bullitt is much more fun to drive now.

There was a comment (fixer?) regarding a Tremec engineer describing the double cone synchros as being the cause of the "cold catch". This new transmission exhibits that behavior, but it's a minor notchiness, and won't cause me to miss a shift or pop out of gear (which happened with the old transmission which exhibited synchro grind).

I'll post another update after a few hundred miles.