Official Tremec 3650 Issues Thread

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

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.

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...

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.

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.

Instantiation said:

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.

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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.

Instantiation said:

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.

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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

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...

02redstang said:

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...

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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

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.