about to install MGW "ORANGE" handle, dumb question maybe?

[helty]

hey guys, im about to install the MGW w/orange handle on my 3650. the instructions are very simple, and im more than confident i can handle it. my question is this.

last week there was a thread about the mgw. in it someone posted a link with thorough install instructions, very helpful. there was a step that said to drain the tranny, then reservice it while the shifter is out. is this necessary? there has to be another way to service the tranny without removing the shifter right? can i/should i just do it now? i have 33k, never had the TSB done, and as far as i know, the tranny's never been flushed or serviced.

if anyone wants to see pics of the new handle, i started a new thread in talk and posted some pics. i'll post some more when im done with the install. thanks!

 

[98V6 K.I.T.T.]

Well.....No, you do not need to flush your tranny when installing a shifter. So don't worry about that. As far as flushing your tranny, the only way I knew of doing it is going through the base of the tranny where the shifter sits. However, at 33K....I have an 02 with 33K miles as well, you are probably going to need your 35K service soon, SOOOO flushing your tranny wouldn't be such a bad idea.

 

[Wikkdgt]

Did you already have the actual MGW shifter installed and are just switching handles, or are you putting the whole thing in? If you are doing the whole thing, then they are suggesting you change out your tranny fluid while you have the stock shifter out, since it is easier to fill the tranny up through the top instead of pumping it in from underneath. You will still have to get under it to drain it, but that plug is easy to get to. Get some royal purple synchromax and put it in there. That **** is the bomb.

 

[helty]

Did you already have the actual MGW shifter installed and are just switching handles, or are you putting the whole thing in? If you are doing the whole thing, then they are suggesting you change out your tranny fluid while you have the stock shifter out, since it is easier to fill the tranny up through the top instead of pumping it in from underneath. You will still have to get under it to drain it, but that plug is easy to get to. Get some royal purple synchromax and put it in there. That **** is the bomb.

i think thats what im gonna do. i have the old shifter off and covered up, im calling it a night. its dark, the damn bugs are killing me. how many quarts do i need? where do you normally get the synchromax? i dont think my auto zone or advanced auto parts carries it. i know pep boys carries RP synthetic oil, but i dont know about tranny fluid.

 

[helty]

another quick question. ive heard you can buy a gasket instead of using the sealant. where? i dont want to walk into autozone and just ask for a shifter gasket.

 

[98V6 K.I.T.T.]

another quick question. ive heard you can buy a gasket instead of using the sealant. where? i dont want to walk into autozone and just ask for a shifter gasket.

I bought my shifter gaskets for my Steeda Tri-AX through www.mustangtuning.com I would suggest you get one, there are some other sites which sell them too. It's alot less messy, and I can't hear any kind of tranny noise different then the stock shifter did.

 

[AmBo]

I used the sealant that my MGW came with and it's dead silent. Why spend a few extra bucks when it's not necessary?

 

[AmBo]

oh and wtf is an orange handle...

 

[helty]

oh and wtf is an orange handle...

orange handle is the only handle offered by mgw anymore. their website still has the red/blue handle option, but they will send you the orange. its a combo of both, as close to perfect as they can get is supposedly. i just finished the install, giving the sealant time to cure a little before i take it for a test drive. i posted pics over in talk. its under "man in brown shorts.....orange handle //PICS//" ive got more during the install, and i'll let you all know how it feels after i take her out.

here's the link to the thread in talk

 

[V_Eight]

Let us know how the drive goes.

 

[helty]

Let us know how the drive goes.

give me about 30mins. hope i didnt f anything up....

 

[helty]

just got back from the test drive with the orange handle...WOW!!! what a friggin difference! the shifts are crisp, SHORT and distinct. fifth is no longer a reach, hell its like the mgw 2-3 shift. ive never tried the red/blue handles, or used a tri-ax or pro 5.0, but i am 100% satisfied and certain i made the right choice. i'll post some pics in a minute showing some install pics, and give you an idea of what the reach is like (perfect). fyi, im 6'1", 185, and ride pretty far back in the seat. i never had any reach issues, and it held up like a champ through a few 1-2, 2-3, 3-4 powershifts.

so... ...whatever floats your boat, this shifter kicks ass!!! pics in a few minutes

 

[helty]

ok guys, im going to start a new thread with a bunch of install pics, it will be up shortly. //DUW//