Tranny (T-45)
 

When power shifting from 3 to 4 the clutch seems to be slow letting go of the tranny....anyone had this problem or condition?

That's the best shift in my tranny. The worst one is 1-2. It seems like it doesn't want to go into second, and sometimes it won't. Does anyone know what would cause this? Wornout synchros maybe??? Please help I don't know much about trannys. THANX

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97 Aztec Gold GT w/Steeda heads,intake,TB,
shifter,headers, subframe conn. 3"flowmaster exhaust and
125 hp NOS

I've noticed this too, especially shortly after start up. After it gets warm, it shifts fine. But right after start up sometimes it acts like I'm missing second even if I shift VERY conservatively. I've heard rumors of poor quality control from Borg-Warner during certain time periods... But I don't know.

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'97 Cobra, K&N, Flowmaster, subframes, 4.10 gears, Steeda Tri-Ax shifter, Steeda G-Trac 3, Cobra R wheels w/ Goodyear F1s

My Ride

Welcome to my world. It's a $hitty place. Going for my 2nd rebuild pretty soon. First time I powershifted with the stock shifter, sheared a bolt off the shift rail and screwed up a few other things. Got towed home from the dragstrip. Got it put back together by a good ole country boy, labor, parts and all, $380 give or take. After about 4 months, it'd grind early in the morning, right after start up, going in 3rd (2-3). Then it eventually (another month or 2) would grind 3rd much more often.

Currently (another 3 months later) it'll grind every shift if I try to shift really quick (basically powershift without holding the throttle to the floor). Even 5th, which has it's own shift rail, will grind even on a conservative shift.

It's got 73K miles on it. I've got another T-45 w/ 44K miles and a broken countershaft waiting to donate it's synchros and shift forks (basically everything but the countershaft) and another T-45 (freebie) with a bad bearing as another donor.

It's at this point that I've decided that drag racing my only car is not a wise thing, as I cannot afford the repairs. And it only makes 200hp at the rear wheels! Cannot imagine these blown cobras & GT's with stock T-45's.

Hope I don't ruin your day fellas, but you're heading down the road to my world. BTW, the fella whom I got the T-45 w/ broken counter shaft from broke it driving to work, not racing. And if you think I'll just get a Tremec and be done with it, better count on a custom lengthened driveshaft $200+ and a Lakewood Bellhousing (another $200+) on top of the price of the Tremec ($1200+).

Ain't life grand? There is the possibility, if you've still got warranty left, that Ford with replace your T-45 with the Tremec built T-45. There's a service bulletin (or whatever they're called) out on in.

Good Luck!

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96 GT: KB subs, March pulleys, Bassani X pipe, 3.73's, alum. drive shaft, 70mm TB, K&N, KB Carbon Kevlar BP, Steeda Tri-ax shifter, Flowmasters, MSD wires

H&R springs, Tokico Illuminas,MM C/C plate & GW RLCA sitting in the garage waiting for a free weekend...

I have over 612 passes on no less than 3 t-45's this year. My 97 cobra had 12,000 miles on it when I broke the first "borg warner" and it was replaced under warranty with a tremmec t-45. It lasted 200 miles and on the first day I had it in, by by syncros. It was replaced under warranty and before I had them put it in I put a brand new pro 5.0 shifter on it. I have voided my waranty but it was almost over anyway. I have over 150 passes on it and not the first problem. I think if you put in a good shifter BEFORE the trans is hurt the tranny will last longer.
FYI how did I get ford to pay for 3 trannies? I work for Ford! Sorry!

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Yeah, yeah. Welcome to our world, alright! My '96 Cobra had to get new synchros BEFORE 20,000 miles. Now, at 29,000, it grinds going into 5th unless I shift it REALLY SLOW. The T-5 in my '88 5.0 LX was still rock solid after 136,000 miles and 8 years. Oh well, the Cobra's a better car in almost every regard, except for the piece of shit tranny. Guess I'll be visiting my local Ford dealer (what fun) again soon under the Extended Service Plan....arrrggghh.

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'96 Cobra - K&N, Pro-M 77, Pro 5.0 shifter, 3:73s, Cobra "R"s, Steeda control arms, pulleys, springs and caster/camber plates.

The background on the tranny; It has just had new sycros put in about a month ago (free of charge/warrenty)because of the 1-2 shift; if you shift too fast,ie power shifting, the gears would grind. I guess if this tranny does go will just go with something better.

K&N,silencer removed, SLR pedel covers(looks cool),Steeda tri-ax soon. working on more mods

I've gone to starting to in 2nd. That seems to work. But as soon as my tranny goes and I'm sure it will, either a Tremac or a T-56 is going in its place.

Does anyone know if the 99-2000 stangs have these tranny problems???
I am thinking about buying either a 96-98 cobra OR a 99-00 gt after I graduate this spring.
If I pay that much for a car, I don't want tranny problems.BTW-my car would be at the track only a few times a year.Please give me your recommedations for my best choice.
thanks

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Steve

Yellow 89'LX 5.0
3.55, electric fan, hurst shifter,pullies,70mmMAF,cold air,full exaust,no a/c,
MSD,all the cheap mods
14.32 @ 97
2.03 60 ft time

I agree. For $30K we shouldn't have ANY problems with our transmissions. For me, whether or not to buy a Cobra (even a used one) or a new GT is no contest - I'd buy a Cobra without blinking. The engine is MUCH stouter internally, not to mention the brakes. But hey, any 'Stang with a V-8 underhood ain't bad! As you know, enough money will make anything go fast...

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'96 Cobra - K&N, Pro-M 77, Pro 5.0 shifter, 3:73s, Cobra "R"s, Steeda control arms, pulleys, springs and caster/camber plates.

Yellow, I have a blown 99GT and have not had a problem with the trans. When adding the blower I did change to a Pro 5.0 shifter, best thing I did.

Snake, good move on the T-56. If I ever have problems with my tranny that is the way I will go. Definately worth the extra grand it will cost.

You guys got to remember.. Tremecs synchros wear out just like T-5's and stock T-45's do. The only thing better is the actual GEARS themselves. They are stronger, but powershift and synchros will wear very fast, no matter what Trans

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89' LX
Mac 1 5/8 Long Tubes, Off Road H-Pipe, 2 Chamber Flowmasters, MotorSport Wires, Accel Plugs, Accel Super Coil, 3.55's, Phenolic Spacer, E-303 Cam (282/282 .498/.498)
13.60 @ 100.77 on Junk Street Tires

What is the T-56. I've heard of it but don't know what it's out of. What would it take to bolt one up to a 4.6?

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97 Aztec Gold GT w/Steeda heads,intake,TB,
shifter,headers, subframe conn. 3"flowmaster exhaust and
125 hp NOS

T-56 is a 6 speed transmission that is mighty pricey. Supposedly the "best"...

About $3500.00 will get you the T-56.

Damn!!!! I think I will stick with the TKO!

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97 Aztec Gold GT w/Steeda heads,intake,TB,
shifter,headers, subframe conn. 3"flowmaster exhaust and
125 hp NOS

someone tell me why gm was smart enough to put the t56 behind the ss and z28 but ford thought " oh no thats ok we'll just take the t45"????/?