Official Tremec 3650 Issues Thread

[Twisted]

Update

Well, to my disappointment the fix isn't working with the colder mornings here. The temps dropping to about 50 at night now and the trans is beggining to start acting up again.

Does anyone else with the fix live in an area where it gets cold at night? I am curious to see if this is just me or the "fix" not being 100%.

 

[brianmef]

It was about 53 where I live this morning, and mine is shifting like butter. Before the fix, it would have been really "notchy"

 

[drock01]

Thanks for the TSB post!

I dropped mustang off this morning. Dealership seems very cooporative so far but they really haven't jumped into anything yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't get the "tranny works fine" call in the morning from the dealer. I've always been told that a standard tranny never works perfectly after its cracked open...

As far as the cold weather fix....that sucks your experiencing the same "grind". Has anyone else with a fix notice 1-2 crap in the cold weather? Seems like most people aren't jumping on getting this taken care of yet...

 

[sacstoy02gt]

I finally got my car back, with a completely new transmission.
The part number of the tranny they put in is: 2R3Z-7003-AE.
I thought the tranny part number had to start with 3R3Z for the completely updated transmission.

Anyone know where I can find the build date on the tranny case?

Maybe the dealer needs to put the fix kit in this new tranny, since it shifts good, but it sure isn't perfect.

I just want a car that f'ing works!!!!!! Can anyone help me here?

 

[Mustang5L5]

Thanks for the TSB post!

I've always been told that a standard tranny never works perfectly after its cracked open...

That's untrue.

I've rebuilt a few T-5's for friends. They all felt equal to the NEW T-5's that other friends bought.

RWD manual transmissions are probably the easiest design of transmission to rebuild. EVerything is machined to exact tolerances and they usually go together perfectly. I've measured play in some of the T-5's before i rebuilt them and measured again afterwards. I'm always amazed to see it always comes up the same number. Unless you are a real butcher, replacing these few parts shouldn't be too much to worry about.


PS. If anyone needs the TSB documents to print out and take to Ford, email me and i'll hook you up. [email protected]

 

[Mustang225]

I finally got my car back, with a completely new transmission.
The part number of the tranny they put in is: 2R3Z-7003-AE.
I thought the tranny part number had to start with 3R3Z for the completely updated transmission.

Anyone know where I can find the build date on the tranny case?

Maybe the dealer needs to put the fix kit in this new tranny, since it shifts good, but it sure isn't perfect.

I just want a car that f'ing works!!!!!! Can anyone help me here?

Might be bad news. The same thing happened to me last January. Ford did put a new tranny in, but it wasn't the updated model (ie: 2Rr3Z....) verified through Tremec. After "discussing" this for a number of months with Ford they did the fix on the new tranny in Aug after the TSB came out.

 

[sacstoy02gt]

Might be bad news. The same thing happened to me last January. Ford did put a new tranny in, but it wasn't the updated model (ie: 2Rr3Z....) verified through Tremec. After "discussing" this for a number of months with Ford they did the fix on the new tranny in Aug after the TSB came out.

Well, I think(from looking at a tag on the tranny) that it was made on 9/9/04.

I'm going to call Tremec and ask them where to look on it to verify the build date. I'm guessing they could tell me, especially if they have a record of the shipment of the tranny to my dealer.

Plus, it's been 9 months since you received yours...I would hope mine is updated.

Edit: Just called my dealer...there is a tranny with the PN 3R3Z...he will be calling back.

 

[sacstoy02gt]

Ok, more news:

Talked with my service guy... he states the 2R3Z I received has the updated parts. The '04 GTs/Mach 1's have the 3R3Z part numbers, and the 2R3Z is the part number for the '01-'03s.

To me that just seems odd. If the tranny is a new part for the '04, shouldn't that be the same part number used to replace our faulty '01-'03 trannys? Maybe it's like this to be able to tell the years apart....I dunno.

I also talked to someone at Tremec, he was pretty sure that anything shipped/made recently will have the correct/fixed parts in it. He said to get the build date off the tranny and call Tremec back to verify. (Guess I'll be under the car some more)

I think I'll be calling/visiting more dealers also to see what they have to say.

What a PITA...

 

[drock01]

That's untrue.

I've rebuilt a few T-5's for friends. They all felt equal to the NEW T-5's that other friends bought.

RWD manual transmissions are probably the easiest design of transmission to rebuild. EVerything is machined to exact tolerances and they usually go together perfectly. I've measured play in some of the T-5's before i rebuilt them and measured again afterwards. I'm always amazed to see it always comes up the same number. Unless you are a real butcher, replacing these few parts shouldn't be too much to worry about.


PS. If anyone needs the TSB documents to print out and take to Ford, email me and i'll hook you up. [email protected]

That's good news! Thanks for the input. I feel a little better about leaving my tranny in fords hands

 

[highvolts]

Mine goes on on Monday (The 27th) Says it will take a couple days.. gettin me a rental.. Bets on what it is?

 

[bluemustang01gt]

Cost of the Ford Fix

After receiving the great information regarding the Kit from Ford to fix our shifting issues I called my dealer to get a price. After I gave the part number the parts man asked me with a puzzled tone in his voice “Wat is this, a synchro?”. I then read off the components of the kit. Then he gave me the price. Then I know why he was puzzled - $1,200. Then he stated “Heck you could almost buy a new transmission at this cost”.

Needless to say, I will not be applying the fix. At 60k miles I am sure Ford won’t be picking up the costs either.

Does anyone know if NHTSA has investigated? This is a safety related issue. Gears slipping out and unable to shift. A safety recall could force a fix for all us out of warranty owners

 

[Spazilton]

What really burns me is people with '04's are having this problem and ford wont fix them. I am calling ford corprate on monday morning and demanding a fix. I didnt pay what I paid for my GT to have it drive like crap.

 

[02redstang]

The FIX does not work

Hi guys I had the fix done on my 02, worked great at first. I now have about 2500 miles on it and it is doing the same thing over again, cannot hardly get it into 3rd gear. Amsoil helps but does not fix it, Tremec is a piece of junk. MY car will be traded in the next two weeks, I have sent my dealer and ford corporate a nice letter stating that I will never buy another Ford,,,ever. So guys good luck with your rides, I am just sick and tired...

 

[Instantiation]

So does anyone know how hard it is to put say, a Cobra 6spd into a GT of these years? I have a '99 actually, and the 5 speed is wonderfully solid (though takes a little clutch to get it to synch into 1st sometimes -- not bad for 102,000 miles) but I am hoping that I can fairly easily swap the 6 speed in for all it's benefits -- namely the power handling, the shallower top gear that is more 3.73 friendly on gas, and the steeper launch gearing (that's a presumption I have, I haven't verified it with ratios from the individual gears) whenever the 5 speed finally dies on me. I know this is somewhat off topic, but it may be something other owners want to do with their 3650s or what have you, and it should be a very similar swap. I'm guessing driveshaft and bell housing are going to need attention, but anyone know what else you'd need? My plan is to get a used tranny/clutch/etc from a junk yard, if I can find a '99+ Cobra.

 

[psnous]

crossmember, driveshaft, extend some wiring, and alot of patience, I plan on doing next year but have helped a few of my friends do the swap.

 

[Angus]

I am hoping that I can fairly easily swap the 6 speed in for all it's benefits -- namely the power handling, the shallower top gear that is more 3.73 friendly on gas, and the steeper launch gearing (that's a presumption I have, I haven't verified it with ratios from the individual gears) whenever the 5 speed finally dies on me.

The Cobra 6 spd doesn't have a steeper 1st gear - it has a less aggressive 1st gear actually.

The Cobra 6-spd 1st gear is 2.97 with a 2.07/2nd, 1.43/3rd,1.00/4th, .80/5th & .62/6th.

(I've also seen 2.66/1.78/1.30/1.00/.74/.50 listed for the Cobra/Viper 6-speed - not sure which one is correct...)

The standard 3650 1st gear is 3.38 with a 2.00/2nd, 1.32/3rd, 1.00/4th, .62/5th.

 

[KaPPaBaLL]

So does anyone know how hard it is to put say, a Cobra 6spd into a GT of these years? I have a '99 actually, and the 5 speed is wonderfully solid (though takes a little clutch to get it to synch into 1st sometimes -- not bad for 102,000 miles) but I am hoping that I can fairly easily swap the 6 speed in for all it's benefits -- namely the power handling, the shallower top gear that is more 3.73 friendly on gas, and the steeper launch gearing (that's a presumption I have, I haven't verified it with ratios from the individual gears) whenever the 5 speed finally dies on me. I know this is somewhat off topic, but it may be something other owners want to do with their 3650s or what have you, and it should be a very similar swap. I'm guessing driveshaft and bell housing are going to need attention, but anyone know what else you'd need? My plan is to get a used tranny/clutch/etc from a junk yard, if I can find a '99+ Cobra.

that's not much of a dragracing gear if you're planning on using that particular tranny. I recommend a Tremec TKO for you. with 31spline input shaft. www.ddpreformance.com

 

[drock01]

I'm not getting a good feeling about this fix....Has anyone had a positive change that has been consistent???? I should finally be getting my car back next week from Ford.

After the service manager told me they ordered the parts last Friday, Tuesday he tells me parts weren't ordered and starts talking about ford not reinbursing them for the labor...I quickly called the sales manager who gave me some push back that the techs could not replicate the 1 2 grind/clunk. He even test drove my ride and said all stangs drive this way. After telling him that this is not acceptable and I either want TSB fixed or I don't want the car he told me they would take care of the fix. Sales manager has been extremely helpful (despite a little push back, I guess Ford does teach employees to say "its normal") and I would definitely recommend if anyone is in the Watertown Mass area to talk to Peter. He has a legit concern to keep his customers happy and has gone out of his way to take care of all my concerns. Now all I need is to get my ride back good as new...

 

[drock01]

Hi guys I had the fix done on my 02, worked great at first. I now have about 2500 miles on it and it is doing the same thing over again, cannot hardly get it into 3rd gear. Amsoil helps but does not fix it, Tremec is a piece of junk. MY car will be traded in the next two weeks, I have sent my dealer and ford corporate a nice letter stating that I will never buy another Ford,,,ever. So guys good luck with your rides, I am just sick and tired...

Hey 02redstang,

Did Ford install kit or did they outsource to tranny shop?
Did you notice a huge different for the first 2000 miles or so?
Did you request to see the old parts?
Did you check to see if "they" installed the placard on the side of tranny which states the revised fluid level? (kinda a sign they actually did the fix)

Just curious b/c it wouldn't surprise me if some shops are trying to back out of paying the 2K for the fix...and just changing fluid or adjusting fluid level

 

[02redstang]

Yes it was a big difference smooth as butter and my ford dealer installed the parts and yes the sticker is on the trans, right at 2500 miles it started, very hard to get into 3rd and 2nd is starting again.