New shifter. ?'s

[DageonYar]

I finally bit the bullet and ordered my MGW orange shifter Can't wait.

? is, do I really need to flush 'n' fill the tranny when I pull the old shifter? My car has about 27k (kms...) which is about 15k mi or so I guess (I was never good at converting...). If I go with a more expensive fluid (versus the generic Ford fluid oil) will I get smoother shifting and performance?

All said and done, guess I'll be 're-learning' how to drive a stick once this new shifter is in

 

[BooWFO]

You can if you want adds some work and getting dirty to the list of things to do.
BTW you'll love the MGW I do and so has everyone who has tried mine out.

 

[mac1009]

I've never swapped the fluid when I did the shifter install. When I put my tri-ax on my '04, the car has about 50 miles on it.

I did however, which to redline fluid and as a result the trans is smoother, but my trans is on it's way out anyway.

 

[DageonYar]

Where is the drain plug located on the T3650?

Photos would be helpful.

And if I do drain and put Redline or Mobil1 oil in, how much do I put (in Liters please lol)? Does it need to be thoroghly emptied before putting a synth oil in? Like a flush maybe?

 

[SigmaPride]

I would just change the shifter. You can worry about the fluid later as it will last a long time. If you really want new fluid I'd probably get some GM Syncromesh, but it is about $11 per quart and I think you need 4. I chose the stock motorcraft fluid since it was alot cheaper and no complaints here.

I have a 99 with a T-45 tranny and I talked to Tremec over the phone about fluids. They said GM Syncromesh is recommended for the 3650 and is fine in the T45, but the T45 will run fine with Motorcraft Mercon, which is why I stuck with the cheaper fluid. That is why I say you should use GM Syncromesh, but to each their own.

 

[sgarlic]

I swapped to the MGW Orange handle at 7000 miles. Didn't bother changing the fluid.

 

[timeless2]

I'm waiting on the "I can't get the stock shifter off" thread you will mostly likely start!

 

[DageonYar]

LMAO... ohhhh yeahhh.

Well, good thing, I saw the "How-to" FAQ thread further up where he shows how to take it off... just gotta find a 2x4 and a big hammer

 

[timeless2]

LMAO... ohhhh yeahhh.

Well, good thing, I saw the "How-to" FAQ thread further up where he shows how to take it off... just gotta find a 2x4 and a big hammer

FYI, all I used was a regular sized (16ounce) claw hammer on the left side to pry it up with. I didn't have to beat the thing--was afraid of breaking something. Don't take all the bolts out as you are prying, to keep the old one from flying off and hitting you or your interior.

 

[40th GT]

Or you could bolt the stock handle back on to get some leverage, put the shifter in N and then either pull hard to the left, or the right. Should come off without much effort.

 

[Orions98GT]

Might as well change the tranny fluid while your doing it, so you don't have to do it on down the road.

 

[arkansas mystic]

Anoter MGW install ?

how do you know where to set the shift stops? Is it in the instructions? Im guessing it is prety simple since Ive never saw a post on it.

 

[timeless2]

how do you know where to set the shift stops? Is it in the instructions? Im guessing it is prety simple since Ive never saw a post on it.

Pull it back in each gear hard to where the shifter meets the stop. Back the screw/bolt out about a turn or whatever makes about a .005" gap (about enough to slide a piece of notebook paper in or just enough to see through). Make sure there is some gap, otherwise you won't ever fully engage a gear.

 

[arkansas mystic]

Thanks! Ordered my shifter today along with cobrabobs gasket set.