My Tremec Experience

kevknotch88 · 02-20-2002, 11:17 PM

Just thought I would post my thoughts on my recent purchase and install of a Tremec 3550 in my 88Coupe.

1). Love the Tranny. It is solid in everyway. Hope I never have to shift a t-5 again.

2). I did not need the crossmember, just broke loose the spot welds on the factory piece and it fit like a glove.

3) Buy a shifter. I cannot beleive that a $1,300 transmission could have such a cracker jack piece for a shifter. My Dad's F-150 had shorter throws! Now thanks to Hurst I am happy. Spend the money the first time and you won't have to do it 2 weeks kater like i did.

4) I understand that a Bellhousing from a 82-83 srod 4spd will work, but i bought the new piece.

Hope to try it at the track soon, maby Bristol in March

WADS56 · 02-21-2002, 01:27 AM

Congrats on your buy. I love tremecs and have had good luck with them.
I here you on the shifter thing

they suck

shovelnose · 02-21-2002, 03:17 AM

I don't mind the shifter. But then again I had an SROD tranny before that. That's alot more like a dump truck. I'm thinkin of buying a shifter.

fordgasm · 02-21-2002, 07:21 AM

I know what you mean about that Tremec shifter....the day after I installed my Tremec I ordered a Pro 5.0 shifter. I had a Hurst on my T-5 so I was already spoiled.

Unit 5302 · 02-21-2002, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shovelnose
I don't mind the shifter. But then again I had an SROD tranny before that. That's alot more like a dump truck. I'm thinkin of buying a shifter.

What tranny do you think the Tremec 3550 was based on? The Ford toploader, which is why Tremec bought the rights to it. The SROD is a Toploader with an aluminum case, different ratios, and a different shift mechansim.

Calling the SROD a dump truck and the Tremec good is kind of an oxymoron.

302 LX Eric · 02-21-2002, 10:26 PM

Good to hear that everything went well with the install.

I have around 550 miles on my Tremec and love it to. I am definately getting a shifter for it, just not sure which one. I had a Hurst Competition Plus on my T5 and really liked it. But, I've heard the Steeda Tri-Ax is nice too. Any thoughts?

E

kevknotch88 · 02-21-2002, 11:12 PM

I am running a Hurst competition shifter with the chrome stick and t handle. I have always used Hurst stuff and have never been disappointed. I have a friend that also has a 3550 with a Pro 5.0 shifter base and B&M Ripper handle (I Think) and it felt good also.

I just cannot understand Tremec on this factory shifer. Maby they are paid by the shifter companies to keep the weak shifter going.

Thanks
Kevin

shovelnose · 02-22-2002, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Unit 5302

What tranny do you think the Tremec 3550 was based on? The Ford toploader, which is why Tremec bought the rights to it. The SROD is a Toploader with an aluminum case, different ratios, and a different shift mechansim.

Calling the SROD a dump truck and the Tremec good is kind of an oxymoron.

All I know is I drove both trannys on the same day and the difference was night and day. The design might have been similar but the are not the same tranny. No need to slam me.

LX XLR8R · 02-22-2002, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kevknotch88
I am running a Hurst competition shifter with the chrome stick and t handle. I have always used Hurst stuff and have never been disappointed. I have a friend that also has a 3550 with a Pro 5.0 shifter base and B&M Ripper handle (I Think) and it felt good also.

I just cannot understand Tremec on this factory shifer. Maby they are paid by the shifter companies to keep the weak shifter going.

Thanks
Kevin

the 3550 only comes with a base..if you buy a short stick for on top then you have a good overall shifter..i can powershift both my pro5oh shiter on my notch and the hatch witch only has a hurst handle on top of a stock base

FYI-tremec has just said that aftermarket shifters are what is killing the tremecs prematurally..they said that the stop bolts should be takin out as the stock shifter base doesn ont have any..they said that they are plenty stong so handle hard shifts(i dont know about you guys but i wont take min out..ill readjust it though o make sure it is all the way out

Unit 5302 · 02-22-2002, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shovelnose
No need to slam me.

I didn't slam you. I just made note of the fact the two trannies are very closely related. There are changes between the two, obviously.

302 LX Eric · 02-23-2002, 09:31 AM

Quote:

FYI-tremec has just said that aftermarket shifters are what is killing the tremecs premeturally..they said that the stop bolts should be takin out as the stock shifter base doesn ont have any..they said that they are plenty stong so handle hard shifts(i dont know about you guys but i wont take min out..ill readjust it though o make sure it is all the way out

LX XLR8r - I heard the same thing. The "instructions" that came with the tranny said something about not using an aftermarket shifter as this could lead to some sort of failure.

I don't understand how the Pro 5.0 or the Steeda Tri-Ax could cause any problems with the tranny? I just want to be able to shift quickly and accurately under race conditions. I got too spoiled with my Hurst.

E

02-20-2002, 11:17 PM	#1
kevknotch88 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Athens, WV Posts: 29	My Tremec Experience Just thought I would post my thoughts on my recent purchase and install of a Tremec 3550 in my 88Coupe. 1). Love the Tranny. It is solid in everyway. Hope I never have to shift a t-5 again. 2). I did not need the crossmember, just broke loose the spot welds on the factory piece and it fit like a glove. 3) Buy a shifter. I cannot beleive that a $1,300 transmission could have such a cracker jack piece for a shifter. My Dad's F-150 had shorter throws! Now thanks to Hurst I am happy. Spend the money the first time and you won't have to do it 2 weeks kater like i did. 4) I understand that a Bellhousing from a 82-83 srod 4spd will work, but i bought the new piece. Hope to try it at the track soon, maby Bristol in March __________________ kevknotch88 1988 Coupe 135k BBK uneq, X-Pipe, mac 2.5, pullies, southsides, alum d/s, 3:08's, Tremec, TFS Stage 1 cam, 65 TB, Mass Air, Gt-40 U&L = 13.645 @ 104.61

02-21-2002, 01:27 AM	#2
WADS56 gear banger Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: CHICAGO Posts: 1,144	Congrats on your buy. I love tremecs and have had good luck with them. I here you on the shifter thing they suck __________________ 79 Hatch: NA 347, Stage 2 Canfield Heads, Victor JR. Intake, Blueprinted Holley 750 HP, Solid Roller Cam, Shooting for 10's on motor 93 LX: Tremec, dual friction clutch, fms flywheel, Hedman shorties, O/R H-pipe Ricer hater's club member #49

02-21-2002, 03:17 AM	#3
shovelnose Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 234	I don't mind the shifter. But then again I had an SROD tranny before that. That's alot more like a dump truck. I'm thinkin of buying a shifter. __________________ 82 Mercury Capri 302, Comp. Cams, Tremec 3550, 3.73's, 12.8@106 N/A Kevin's Capri Kevin's Mustang

02-21-2002, 07:21 AM	#4
fordgasm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Clayton, North Carolina, USA Posts: 803	I know what you mean about that Tremec shifter....the day after I installed my Tremec I ordered a Pro 5.0 shifter. I had a Hurst on my T-5 so I was already spoiled. __________________ fordgasm CLICK HERE to see my 87 GT

02-21-2002, 10:26 PM	#6
302 LX Eric or '331 LX Eric' Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 2,142	Good to hear that everything went well with the install. I have around 550 miles on my Tremec and love it to. I am definately getting a shifter for it, just not sure which one. I had a Hurst Competition Plus on my T5 and really liked it. But, I've heard the Steeda Tri-Ax is nice too. Any thoughts? E __________________ 1991 5.0 LX Coupe - 40,750 miles 331 cu. in. / Tremec 3550 / BFG Drag Radials 12.22 @ 114.31 mph - w/1.89 60'

02-21-2002, 11:12 PM	#7
kevknotch88 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Athens, WV Posts: 29	I am running a Hurst competition shifter with the chrome stick and t handle. I have always used Hurst stuff and have never been disappointed. I have a friend that also has a 3550 with a Pro 5.0 shifter base and B&M Ripper handle (I Think) and it felt good also. I just cannot understand Tremec on this factory shifer. Maby they are paid by the shifter companies to keep the weak shifter going. Thanks Kevin __________________ kevknotch88 1988 Coupe 135k BBK uneq, X-Pipe, mac 2.5, pullies, southsides, alum d/s, 3:08's, Tremec, TFS Stage 1 cam, 65 TB, Mass Air, Gt-40 U&L = 13.645 @ 104.61

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