Looking for Transmission Advice - 03' GT

[abright52]

2003 Mustang GT 5spd with 60K miles on it. Initial problem was that it was stuck in fifth gear and would not move.
Trans was removed and taken to a shop and they gave a quote of $1700 to fix it....not including a clutch. I am not a Mustang guy, but it really seems high to me. They said that they would replace everything relating to 5th gear, all synchros, and all bearings.

I can get a factory rebuilt 3650 for $1199 from D&D Performance. That would be better than the $1700 option, but it is worth it for the same transmission? It has been taken to the track a few times and has done its share of burnouts. I doubt that any of that behavior will change, so I am looking for something that will last.

Would I have to convert it to a TKO 500 to get a stronger trans or are there other options?

Thanks in advance.

 

[White Stang]

If you want to stay manual I would get a TKO 600

 

[2002BLGT]

2003 Mustang GT 5spd with 60K miles on it. Initial problem was that it was stuck in fifth gear and would not move.
Trans was removed and taken to a shop and they gave a quote of $1700 to fix it....not including a clutch. I am not a Mustang guy, but it really seems high to me. They said that they would replace everything relating to 5th gear, all synchros, and all bearings.

I can get a factory rebuilt 3650 for $1199 from D&D Performance. That would be better than the $1700 option, but it is worth it for the same transmission? It has been taken to the track a few times and has done its share of burnouts. I doubt that any of that behavior will change, so I am looking for something that will last.

Would I have to convert it to a TKO 500 to get a stronger trans or are there other options?

Thanks in advance.

find another tranny shop , that is too high for a tranny rebuild job

 

[abright52]

How strong are the auto trannys? How much work would a swap like that be?

 

[Rusty67]

For the love of God, don't put an auto in ! Thats a waste !

How hard do you drive your car ? It sounds like you broke the shift fork or something and the hub for 5th gear wouldn't disengage.

Also, what kind of mods does your car have ? Is it stock ? You shouldn't be braking a 3650 with a stock motor or even up to about 350hp unless you are abusing it (or got a bad one).

 

[twogts4us]

How hard do you drive your car ? It sounds like you broke the shift fork or something and the hub for 5th gear wouldn't disengage.

Also, what kind of mods does your car have ? Is it stock ? You shouldn't be braking a 3650 with a stock motor or even up to about 350hp unless you are abusing it (or got a bad one).

Agreed! What the heck is wrong with your transmission - I mean, what are they diagnosing it with - what's the problem?

 

[Mustang5L5]

$1700 to replace 5th gear? Wow that's a rip.


For that much, buy a TKO.

 

[TonyG]

I had my T-45 rebuilt for $1200 (not including clutch), and I thought that was way too expensive. $1700 is crazy.

 

[twogts4us]

I had my T-45 rebuilt for $1200 (not including clutch), and I thought that was way too expensive. $1700 is crazy.

yeah, we paid about $900 for my wife's 01 trannie to be rebuilt and I thought that was waaay too much too.

How did they come to that figure? What's labor and what's parts?

I'd go to D&D or Astro and get a rebuilt - or, as others have said, step up to a TKO 600.

 

[ForPointSex]

I bought a rebuilt 3650 for $1200 including shipping and core return (the rebuilt tranny was $995). If you order, it only takes 3-4 days to get it. The same company sells on ebay with user name: smartpartsauto

http://www.smartpartsauto.com/manual_transmissions_mustang_tr3650_4014.htm

If you have time, you can get a T-56 for $1195 from the same place and upgrade. There are some extra parts you need for the swap.

http://www.stangnet.com/pbullitt/tremect56/index.html


You can also get an upgraded TR-3650 for $1,650 from Pro M.
http://www.promotionpowertrain.com/1231590.html

 

[TonyG]

How did they come to that figure? What's labor and what's parts?

The shop removed the tranny and sent it to a builder.

According to the shop, the builder charged $800 for parts (rebuild kit) and labor.
Then the shop added on $400 for labor to remove and reinstall transmission. $1200 total

Since I have longtubes, I expected some added labor costs for removing the tranny. But after seeing all the scratches and dents all over them, I could tell that they weren't very careful and just yanked it out. My Jet hot coating is ruined.

 

[armyguy125sig]

that sucks. would have just upgraded to a TKO-600

 

[Mike97gt]

The shop removed the tranny and sent it to a builder.

According to the shop, the builder charged $800 for parts (rebuild kit) and labor.
Then the shop added on $400 for labor to remove and reinstall transmission. $1200 total

Since I have longtubes, I expected some added labor costs for removing the tranny. But after seeing all the scratches and dents all over them, I could tell that they weren't very careful and just yanked it out. My Jet hot coating is ruined.

thats not out of line. 400 for labor to R+R is about 4-5 hours at most shops for a car with the stock manifolds thats about the right time.

with long tubes I would have not touched it for any less than 7 hours to pull the tranny and then the rebuild time is extra. They F-ed up on the quote and did not charge enough hours to do the job properly and loosen the header thats why your headers got damaged.. They should have called you and explained the situation and asked for extra time.

The way i handle modded cars is I explain why it's going to be extra and if they don't wan't to pay the extra then i don't work on it. This is the best way to handle it, hacking the car is not.

I know that might seem like a lot extra to pay but with long tubes it can take longer than that and we work flate rate so if I was doing the job I would only get paid the amount of hours the shop charged no matter how long I took to do it..

 

[TonyG]

...They F-ed up on the quote and did not charge enough hours to do the job properly and loosen the header thats why your headers got damaged...

I have a tubular k-member. Shouldn't that have made it easier for them to loosen the passenger side header?

Anyway, I agree with your latter point. I would have gladly paid extra labor to save my $350 Jet hot sterling coating. Its ruined now. Here are some photos:

http://forums.modulardepot.com/gene...ropping-t45-longtubes-much-damage-normal.html

 

[white99gt]

Id convert to a tko (old school and can be had cheaper) or a tko 500 ..No need for a tko600 on a n/a car.Hell i ran a normal tko for years with no failures making 600+rwhp.

Once you conert to a tko setup the tranny work will be cake.Take tranny out,remove the bellhousing and a little twisting and it comes right out.No having to remove the headers esp longtubes(been there).

 

[Rusty67]

Man, they effed your headers up perty bad. I would drive the car down there and ask them to put it on a lift. Then show it to them while its up there.