For you guys still having difficulty shifting, even after changing fluids, your clutch probably needs to be adjusted: http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/how-230/389553-how-adjust-clutch-cable.html
Hard Shifting? Come In!! The Fix!!
- Thread starter DaveMan
- Start date
I just did the change myself. I was running Mobil 1 synthetic ATF and replaced it with Pennzoil Syncromesh. It is a lot smoother/easier to shift than it was with the Mobil 1.
Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for the tip!
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What was the mileage at both changes?
I bought the car on 30 September 2008 with 19,980 miles. I changed from what I assumed was the original fluid to the Mobil 1 ATF on 10 October 2008 when I was installing my MGW shifter (at just over 20K miles). I have to say the Mobil 1 felt more notchy and hard to shift when I put in in there, but I assumed it would get better with time. It did not.
Today when I switched to syncromesh the car had 22,400 miles. I could tell a difference the first time I slipped it into gear.
i think i am going to try this.... my car shifts so f'in hard it feels like the rear end is about to drop out of the car!!!
mine has Dex 3 or 5 in it (whatever the rag on the trans said) and it shifts like shit.
I ordered a mgw shifter today. I've got 24K on the clock, and the trans fluid has never been changed. Figured during mgw install, thats the time to do it.
but holy bejeezus...I've done multiple searches on this forum and others on this subject of which fluid to replace with and it's obvious there's a huge cluster fugg of responses.
one thing i have researched is the mobil one fluids. ironically, i cannot find where mobil one itself recommends their "synthetic atf" for a dexron iii application. here's the list of fluids the synthetic is supposed to be compatable with:
https://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Other_Products/Mobil_1_Synthetic_ATF.aspx
Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF
notice the footnote i bolded
here's their other product for dexron apps:
https://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Other_Products/Mobil_Dexron_VI_ATF.aspx
Mobil DEXRON-VI ATF
I'm still debating what to do. My tranny shifts great right now with the factory fill dexron. I might not change the fluid at all.... just put the damn mgw on and forget about it - lol :sleeping:
but holy bejeezus...I've done multiple searches on this forum and others on this subject of which fluid to replace with and it's obvious there's a huge cluster fugg of responses.
one thing i have researched is the mobil one fluids. ironically, i cannot find where mobil one itself recommends their "synthetic atf" for a dexron iii application. here's the list of fluids the synthetic is supposed to be compatable with:
https://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Other_Products/Mobil_1_Synthetic_ATF.aspx
Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF
notice the footnote i bolded
here's their other product for dexron apps:
https://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Other_Products/Mobil_Dexron_VI_ATF.aspx
Mobil DEXRON-VI ATF
I'm still debating what to do. My tranny shifts great right now with the factory fill dexron. I might not change the fluid at all.... just put the damn mgw on and forget about it - lol :sleeping:
I've done everything about, even the blocker rings, syncros, etc. Wish at the time tremec would of had that new magnum t56 transmission out. It's the new bad boy for a t56. Don't get me wrong, shifts ok but not great most the time. Trash ur t56 and want a new clutch and input shaft buy the magnum. Sell the old one. Maybe d&d will do a trade in idk. You do all the tricks, firewall adj., quick quad, fluids etc. still it isn't great imo. Like a old toploader w o.d.
Dexron VI supersedes Dex III. That M1 ATF will work fine if you want to stick with a Mobil product. I've always had excellent results with Red Line D4 (Dex III/Mercon rated and still available), but I may try the new D6 formula (Dex VI/Mercon SP rated) next time I change the fluid, just to see if I feel any difference.
I had hard shifting and added Pennzoil Synchromesh. It was better. 2nd to 3rd was easier.
ok i got sick of reading all the speculation and hear say last night.
as i posted before i recently (2k ago) drained old fluid and put the dex 3 in like it says on the tranny. it was horrible, i could barely get the car into 3rd at high rpms. it was exactly like everyone describes, like there is a wall there and it wont go in.
last night after reading this thread again i got pissed off and went to the local napa. i bought 4 quarts of Pennzoil Syncromesh and changed the fluid when i got home. I'm happy to report the car shifts much better. I can now bang gears like its my job. i took the car out and made sure it was good and warm before beating on it. I will report back with more news Wednesday when I go to the track.
Cliff notes: If your car is shifting hard and your clutch is adjusted properly stop reading bullshit on the internet and go change your trans fluid to Pennzoil (or GM) syncromesh.
as i posted before i recently (2k ago) drained old fluid and put the dex 3 in like it says on the tranny. it was horrible, i could barely get the car into 3rd at high rpms. it was exactly like everyone describes, like there is a wall there and it wont go in.
last night after reading this thread again i got pissed off and went to the local napa. i bought 4 quarts of Pennzoil Syncromesh and changed the fluid when i got home. I'm happy to report the car shifts much better. I can now bang gears like its my job. i took the car out and made sure it was good and warm before beating on it. I will report back with more news Wednesday when I go to the track.
Cliff notes: If your car is shifting hard and your clutch is adjusted properly stop reading bullshit on the internet and go change your trans fluid to Pennzoil (or GM) syncromesh.
Thanks for your input, but I don't think anyone disputes the fact that a T56 transmission will shift just fine with Synchromesh. On the other hand, mine and many others shift just fine with a Dex III product. Imagine that.
The question in my mind and many others here is whether or not the Synchromesh formulation negatively impacts the transmission's service life.
Accelerated deterioration of the blocker rings, etc, can occur with the wrong additive package. Using a Dexron/Mercon specification product ensures that your transmission fluid contains the correct additives in the correct proportions. Using Synchromesh does not.
Until Tremec or Ford steps up and says Synchromesh is okay in a T56, I'm not inclined to roll the dice myself, especially when my transmission shifts just fine with an approved fluid.
:thumbsup:
i'm confused as to why mine would shift like shit then with an approved fluid??
Some do. Some don't. And for some, switching to Synchromesh provides a short-term improvement. For some it doesn't. Depends on the individual transmission.
However, the question of the long term effects on the transmission's internals remains open. At least I've never seen any definitive answer one way or the other. And I have made an effort to find one.
:thumbsup:
good looking out man, i'll def keep an eye on it.
Just thought I'd share my experience. I've had an issue where when i come to a stop, put it in neutral, and let off the clutch, then try to put it back in 1st gear i hit a brick wall, and have to wait about 6-7 seconds before it will go in. Well i just replaced my ATF with Pennzoil Stnchromesh and the problem disappeared. The tranny also shifts a lot smoother cool and hot. So i'm a believer.
I might have to dump in some Pennz SM.... my car has always shifted hard, and 3rd at high RPMs will occasionally lock me out, just as some people in this thread are saying.
Wow...so are we saying penzoil synchromesh might help you from hitting the wall in 3rd at high rpms?
I got a clutch firewall adjuster, quadrant installed thinking this might help...if I have issues at the track again, I will diffenitely put the synchromesh in...right now I have the dextron in, but only have issues at very high RPMs hitting 3rd (6000)
It seems like everyone on this threat is having the same problem including me. At 6k rpm third gear is damn near impossible to get in to. As for my experience, i changed out my fluid and put Amsoil synthetic atf fluid in, with hopes it would be cured. When the car wasnt fully warmed up, it shifted a little better into third. The change was done 200 miles ago. Now the damn hard shifting is back and third gear is once again impossible to get in to. Thinking about either adding some ford friction modifier or draining the fluid and trying gm synchromesh. i used it in my 02 trans am with the t56 and that car banged every gear like no ones business. Gonna give it a shot
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I had this concern as well until I found out one of the top builders of performance Cobra trannys (name escapes me right now) refills with Synchromesh and has been doing so for many years.
From what I've read there seems to be more of a concern with using synthetic fluids in our trans than any certain additives but I can't speak from experience on that issue... I know many people on here have run synthetic ATF and had no problems.
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