00 GT trans vs. 03 GT trans.

[senecagreen]

I had a 2000 GT with the 5 speed and now have a 2003 GT with the 5 speed. The rear end ratio is the same at 3.27. The big difference I noticed was that the 03 has a lower 1st gear than the old mustang and that the first 4 gears seem to be lower overall and close ratio compared to the old mustang I had. And there is a big jump to 5th compared to the old one.

As far as driveability I think that the 00 GT was a harder to take off smoothly in 1st gear but required less shifting since it was wider ratio through the gears and they were spaced more evenly together. I also think it shifted a little better than the new one but I think the biggest reason for that is that the 1st 4 gears in the 03 are a lot lower.

I think Ford played around with the ratios in the new one to get better acceleration in the first 4 gears and then put that big jump in there to 5th for the gas mileage. I know that the 00 GT didn't seem to pull as hard in 3rd as the 03 GT seems to.

My wife hates all the shifting she has to do with the 03 but I actually prefer this transmission since my priority is acceleration and I think the newer trans gets more out of what you have than the old one did. I don't mind the big jump from 4th to 5th. I just rev it out a little further in 4th before shifting. 1900 rpm in 4th is 45mph compared to 70mph 1900 rpm in 5th. That's a big jump in ratio.

I feel like this 03 trans is a little notchy in the first two shifts but I think it might be because of the really low ratios 1st thru 3rd. I just think Ford was trying to get more performance when they switched to this trans. I like it but it just boils down to whether you can put up with all the shifting you have to do around town.

Anyway, it is good to have a mustang again. They are great cars.

 

[Darkhorse845]

T-45 vs. T-3650

 

[Mustang5L5]

The '00 has a T-45 transmission and the '03 has a t-3650 trans

The ratios for the T-45 are:
1 - 3.37
2 - 1.99
3 -1.33
4 - 1.00
5 - 0.67

The ratios for the '03 T-3650 are
1 - 3.38
2 - 2.00
3 - 1.32
4 - 1.00
5 - 0.62

The first 4 gears are very similar. I doubt you would really notice much difference. The main difference is that in 2003 Ford switched to a 0.62 Overdrive on the 3650 down from a 0.68 Overdrive used on the 01-02 T-3650.

The newer t3650 is a stronger trans rated at 360 ft-lbs of torque while the older t-45 was rated at 325 ft-lbs.

The t-3650 has a synchro design flaw that makes the first 2 shifts very notchy. This is why a lot of people don't really like the 3650. There is a 50+ page thread stuck to the top of the tech forums outlying the 3650 issues and the TSB associated with fixing the notchy shift problems.

 

[twogts4us]

We have both and I think the 3650 is much better than the T45 - shifting the T45 is extremely vague compared to the 3560. And, knock on wood, no issues associated with the TSB on the 3650.

 

[ToplessStang]

We have both and I think the 3650 is much better than the T45 - shifting the T45 is extremely vague compared to the 3560. And, knock on wood, no issues associated with the TSB on the 3650.

There's nothing like owning two GT's with diffrent parts on them for a fair comparison. Thanks for your input .

 

[BullittStangV8]

How much more then the 350 trq can they take? im assuming thats fly wheel? I have 293 rwtrq..that puts me pretty close to the rated limit at the flywheel..
Mike

 

[CrazyHorn]

Is the t45 have any problems like the 3650 got, and can we put the t45 in the 2002-2004 models ??

 

[senecagreen]

Thanks for the actual numbers on the gear ratios. It feels like more of a difference than the numbers imply.

 

[5spd GT]

Probably the longer overdrive on the 3650 just made you think that the gears are steeper (1-4) than they actually are...

Your 03 Gt may just be a tick quicker (tad bit higher compression) and plus possibly a different owner on the 00 or 03 (depending if you bought them new)...and the performance can vary on cars depending on how it was taken care of...