Is Royal Purple ATF too thin?

StangYellow

Founding Member

Sep 11, 2002

1,052

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Mar 28, 2009

#1

• Mar 28, 2009

• #1

So i just finished installing an MGW shifter, and changed the original fluid from the transmission. After reading about RP on here, i wasted 40 bucks on it. Now the gears whine like a SOB. I put my hand on the shifter in 5th gear and the gear whine gets LOUDER with my hand on it. So next weekend im throwing out the old trans fluid and gonna figure out how to put more in through the fill hole. Is my tr3650 whining because the oil is too thin? What ATF will NOT make my transmission annoying?

 

F

ForPointSex

Founding Member

Mar 19, 2002

395

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16

Mercer, NJ

Mar 28, 2009

#2

• Mar 28, 2009

• #2

Tremec TR-3650 transmission - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
From Wiki:

TREMEC engineers have recommended Texaco-Havoline Dexron III/Mercon Non-Synthetic ATF. There has been a significant amount of confusion regarding the proper capacity and proper type of ATF for the TR-3650 which may have a correlation with a rather large number of complaints about notchy shifting, shift "nibbling", noisy synchros, and grinding gears. The 2007 Mustang GT owner's manual specified the use of 3.0 L of non-synthetic Mercon ATF in the 3650, while the 2008 Mustang GT owner's manual now specifies the use of 3.0 L of Mercon-V ATF in the 3650. Dexron III/Mercon Non-Synthetic ATF seems to work best for pre-2005 Mustang GTs.

 

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89lxsport50

10 Year Member

Feb 25, 2003

550

5

39

Franklin Tennessee

Mar 30, 2009

#3

• Mar 30, 2009

• #3

What you are probably hearing is the gear noise through your MGW. Mine does the same thing in 5th with regular ATF. Aftermarket shifters transmit more noise into the cabin because they don't have rubber isolators like the factory ones. There is a guy named Cobra Bob that makes rubber gaskets that are supposed to get rid of most of the noise. Just Google Cobra Bob shifter gasket. I think I'll try one oin mine.

 

StangYellow

Founding Member

Sep 11, 2002

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Mar 30, 2009

#4

• Mar 30, 2009

• #4

89lx, do you notice the 5th gear whine getting louder when you put your hand on the shifter? I put in exactly 3quarts, and i know it calls for 3.17. I will search for these gaskets. I really dont feel like changing the fluid again.

 

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89lxsport50

10 Year Member

Feb 25, 2003

550

5

39

Franklin Tennessee

Mar 30, 2009

#5

• Mar 30, 2009

• #5

Yes, it is louder when I put my hand on it. I can hear it in most gears, but it's really loud in 5th, especially when it's cold. MGW is supposed to be one of the quietest aftermarket shifters. If that's true, I would hate to hear a loud one. Cobra Bob's website explains it all.

 

Tazzy

New Member

Jan 6, 2009

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PA

Mar 30, 2009

#6

• Mar 30, 2009

• #6

I'm pretty sure the most recent TSB on the 3650 calls for just a little over 2 qts and not 3. To minimize noise I used both the mgw boot and the stock boot and added some house insulation around inside the shifter cavity under the console. And actually the RP quitened up my tranny and made it shift better. But to each his own.

 

CobraRed_96_GT

Active Member

May 20, 2006

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UCSD/La Jolla

Mar 30, 2009

#7

• Mar 30, 2009

• #7

You searched on here and decided to buy it? Geez, i need to speak up more.
Pretty much 90% of people who work in the petroleum production industry point and laugh at the majority of RP products and the people who buy them. No offense, just stating the truth.
It's like people buying Mercs because they are expensive and basically no other reason as now-a-days they don't even stay together. Price doesn't mean quality. if you want to spend a ton of money on fluids buy Amsoil.

 

Tim2002GT

Founding Member

Apr 10, 2002

635

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29

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Mar 31, 2009

#8

• Mar 31, 2009

• #8

To the OP, were you using RP ATF or RP Synchromax? The Synchromax is what you should have been using.

I have been using RP Synchromax for the last two years. No problems whatsoever. It even smoothed out my shifts a bit over whatever fluid was in it from the previous owner.

 

StangYellow

Founding Member

Sep 11, 2002

1,052

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Mar 31, 2009

#9

• Mar 31, 2009

• #9

Tim2002GT said:

To the OP, were you using RP ATF or RP Synchromax? The Synchromax is what you should have been using.

I have been using RP Synchromax for the last two years. No problems whatsoever. It even smoothed out my shifts a bit over whatever fluid was in it from the previous owner.

Click to expand...

Max atf Went to all the local parts stores here and stared at a wall of exxon, wolf's head, castrol,and other lesser brands. RP and mobil 1 were my only synthetic choices. Im going to purchase that Cobra Bob gasket, and possibly change fluids again.

 

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89lxsport50

10 Year Member

Feb 25, 2003

550

5

39

Franklin Tennessee

Mar 31, 2009

#10

• Mar 31, 2009

• #10

The first time I changed my fluid I used 3.2 quarts of Havoline like Tremec recomends. The next time I used 3.2 quarts of Valvoline, and I can't tell any difference. I still have the old 1-2 shift nibble unless it's hot outside, then it shifts like butter.
As for the noise, I cut some foam and placed it around the base of the shifter, and nothing changed. I think the noise is traveling up through the handle, so I'm going to try one of those gaskets next.

 

StangYellow

Founding Member

Sep 11, 2002

1,052

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Mar 31, 2009

#11

• Mar 31, 2009

• #11

I drove the car to work today and I am less than impressed with the noise that I now have. Im going to order a Cobra Bob gasket within the next day or so, and I will let you know how it works out. Im not sure if its the fluid I chose or what but this MGW shifter has the same 2nd gear grind in 3rd and 4th. The only way around it is to shift with force. So far im not on the MGW bandwagon. Maybe its the oil, who knows.

 

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bwahl602

New Member

Dec 13, 2008

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0

Mar 31, 2009

#12

• Mar 31, 2009

• #12

i feel like we used way more than 3 qts to refill mine... u filling it till it cmes out the fill hole?

i put the synchromax in and noticed 0 improvement... plus its expensive... ive got a pretty sticky 1-2 and 2-3 nibble..

 

Crzyhrse

Active Member

Dec 23, 2004

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2

38

Seattle, WA

Mar 31, 2009

#13

• Mar 31, 2009

• #13

A properly functioning MGW shifter is not going to make any noise or grind. I don't remember what brand I used for ATF but it was'nt RP. I don't even have any aftermarket gasket, dust boot, stuffing or anything for sound deadening. It's been quiet as a mouse for 4 years.

 

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89lxsport50

10 Year Member

Feb 25, 2003

550

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39

Franklin Tennessee

Apr 1, 2009

#14

• Apr 1, 2009

• #14

StangYellow said:

I drove the car to work today and I am less than impressed with the noise that I now have. Im going to order a Cobra Bob gasket within the next day or so, and I will let you know how it works out. Im not sure if its the fluid I chose or what but this MGW shifter has the same 2nd gear grind in 3rd and 4th. The only way around it is to shift with force. So far im not on the MGW bandwagon. Maybe its the oil, who knows.

Click to expand...

The MGW isn't going to fix any grind or nibble problems with the 1-2 or 2-3 shift. That's an internal transmission problem that is very common on these cars. Tremec recommends lowering the fluid level to 3.2 quarts and using non synthetic ATF to help with the problem. I did this and noticed a slight improvement. The only real fix is to have certain parts replaced inside the transmission.

When the car is cold I will shift out of first, and move the lever all the way to the right and back before placing it in second. 95 percent of the time this will eliminate the 1-2 nibble. When the car is hot it shifts fine.

I ordered my Cobra Bob gasket yesterday. Hopefully that will quiet the shifter down.

 

fasthippo

New Member

Oct 22, 2008

52

1

0

OC, CA

Apr 1, 2009

#15

• Apr 1, 2009

• #15

i just used Redline d4 atf for the first time today and it made a big difference, shifts smoother and quieter.