T56 Magnum shift quality

[TheJDMan]

I'm curious what kind of shift quality you all are experiencing with your T56 Magnum. I just did a 500 mile break-in oil change on my new T56 Magnum but the shift quality has been notchy since day one. It feels like syncronizers are sticking but never having driven a car with a T56 I don't know if this is normal or not. The 3rd and 4th gear shifts seem to be the worst but the problem seems to lessen as the transmission gets heat soaked. I'm wondering if I can use something different than DexIII maybe a synthetic like Transynd or maybe some kind of friction modifier additive. I would like to know what others experiences are.

[chr2002ca]

I'm curious about this also. I have about 800 miles now on my T-56 magnum and the shift to 3rd gear is not as smooth as all the other gears. Sometimes it slides right in, sometimes it catches a little bit and doesn't want to engage as smoothly as it should. Other gear shifts are fine for me, although all of them are slightly notchy. It's not a bit deal, but something I was wondering about also and I'm glad you brought it up. Look forward to seeing what other people say. I'm using the Tremec shifter that came with it and whatever fluid they recommended on the tag that came with it. I can't remember exactly what it was. Would have to check when I get home.

[DaleTx]

I recently installed a Tremec T56 Magnum transmission in my car and have driven about 1,500 miles on the street... and couple hundred miles on the track at HPDE events. The transmission shifts smoothly in all gears with no issues. I run Mobil 1 synthetic ATF (this is the fluid recommended by the vendor I purchased the transmission from), and the stock Tremec shifter.

The trans shifts up and down smoothly... even into the low 7K rpm range. I'm very happy with the transmission.

Just one thought.... make sure your clutch is completely disengaging, try running the pedal just a bit higher and see if it makes a difference.

[Sieg]

I have about 2,500 on mine now. Running Mobil 1 atf since day one and Hurst shifter. I was concerned initially but it's improved to the point that I don't think about it, especially the 2nd to 1st downshift.

[chr2002ca]

I recently installed a Tremec T56 Magnum transmission in my car and have driven about 1,500 miles on the street... and couple hundred miles on the track at HPDE events. The transmission shifts smoothly in all gears with no issues. I run Mobil 1 synthetic ATF (this is the fluid recommended by the vendor I purchased the transmission from), and the stock Tremec shifter.

The trans shifts up and down smoothly... even into the low 7K rpm range. I'm very happy with the transmission.

Thanks for the feedback Dale. I'm pretty sure I did not use that particular fluid in mine. I think I went with a non-synthetic by Valvoline. I'll try the Mobil 1 next time I get around to tinkering with the car and see if it helps. Not really much of an issue for me so it might not be anytime soon.

[Vegas69]

Dale brings up two good points. Clutch air gap can be a factor.

[chr2002ca]

I know the gap I left between the clutch fingers and TO(when the TO is fully depressed) is dead on the money and I'm 100% confident the clutch fully engages and fully disengages. The travel necessary to disengage a DYAD clutch is shorter than most dual disc setups, and happens long before my pedal hits the bump stop(probably at 50% of pedal travel). Considering that it shifts into all gears just fine including reverse, and only 3rd is a little notchy, it just snagged my curiosity a little bit which is why I posted. It might simply have to do with how I actually move the shifter stick on my shift from 2nd to 3rd, because sometimes it goes right into 3rd perfectly like all the other gears. I think I saw a Youtube video where someone was demonstrating the proper movement and hand position on the knob for that particular shift, so it could be something as simple as that for me. Like I've mentioned, it's a slight thing that I notice randomly and isn't really a big deal for me. I have high regards for this transmission and clutch so far. Very happy with them.

[chr2002ca]

Yo Doug(aka Mr Renner, Big Wanda, etc)!

The following was mentioned in your build thread:

"P.s. Doug... bring it by when you are ready and I will bleed the brakes again. And how was the 3rd gear shift? did that last bleed help?"

What type of 3rd gear shift issue were you having? I believe you have a T-56 Mag also.

[TheJDMan]

The vendor I purchased my T56 from recommended DexIII but I think I will change to the Mobil 1 synthetic and see if that makes any difference.

[Terminator1]

Steve,

I installed a new T56 Magnum in a 2003 Mustang Cobra this spring and am experiencing the same issues you described in this thread. Were you able to resolve the issue and if so what did you do? The shift from 2nd to 3rd will catch when cold and becomes nearly non existent when the transmission is heat soaked after driving for awhile. The transmission now has about 2000 miles on it.

[Grimmey71]

Similar problems here, the guys at tremec told me to give it 1500 to break in, I just hit about 1800 miles and the shifting is improving though. Also I'm considering the white lightening shifter too

[samckitt]

Dale brings up two good points. Clutch air gap can be a factor.

So how do you gain more clearance in the clutch if its not disengaging enough?

[GMJim@HDC]

The Magnum will usually have a little crunch when cold up shifting into third. This is normal and usually goes away after a short warm up. One of the Tremec engineers refers to as the third gear nibble.

[JodysTransmissions]

Guys with notchy T56 shifting; did you remove the T56 front plate and do a bellhousing alignment procedure referencing off of the input shaft bearing bore?

[Terminator1]

I have not aligned my bell housing, where can I get a procedure for this?

[TheJDMan]

Guys with notchy T56 shifting; did you remove the T56 front plate and do a bellhousing alignment procedure referencing off of the input shaft bearing bore?

Yes! BTW, I have about 2000 miles on the transmission now and the 3rd gear nibble is dramatically improved and seems to be getting better all the time. It is virtually gone once the gear box gets heat soaked.

Here is a how to:
http://www.pro-touring.com/threads/103170-How-to-T56-Magnum-Quicktime-bellhousing-dial-in

[Terminator1]

Thanks Guys,

Installed a quick release clutch quadrant, seems a little better.

Based on what Steve is seeing, I will give it a little more time before pulling the transmission to check the bell housing alignment.