I gave her the beans!

[SLOBullitt]

I noticed on my way home from work last night that I was a few miles over the 1000 mile mark so I decided to take a side road home and let her run a little. Yes, I know. Safety first and nothing stupid, dangerous, or irresponsible.

My thoughts: Goodness gracious! This car is pretty darn fast. She bites down on hard acceleration, the front end lifts and she pulls and pulls and sounds wonderful in the process. On the turns? She carves very predictably and transitions smoothly. The GT350 alignment specs (due to FP springs) I got on her last week seemed to really to make her a little more athletic if that makes any sense. The not so good? Maybe I'm just a crappy gear changer, but performance shifting takes too much concentration. Methinks that the shift linkage is just not up for the job as it just doesn't want to be shifted with any precision at the higher revs - and I'm not going to force the issue and gorilla shift her - ever. Maybe it'll loosen up with some more miles or I'll get better shifter/clutch/throttle timing and learn how to manage her quirks better, but this seems to be the weak link in the power train - for me at least.

Final thoughts. I'm not a wanna be street or road racer so I don't need any more power and I'm sure her handling capabilities far exceeds my skill level so there are no complaints there. And since she is broken in now I can finally cruise her in 6th on the highway. I got 29.6 mil/gal on my way 27 mi trek into work today! Very impressive. I just hope the tranny/shifter becomes a better with time.

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[aileron]

I noticed on my way home from work last night that I was a few miles over the 1000 mile mark so I decided to take a side road home and let her run a little. Yes, I know. Safety first and nothing stupid, dangerous, or irresponsible.

My thoughts: Goodness gracious! This car is pretty darn fast. She bites down on hard acceleration, the front end lifts and she pulls and pulls and sounds wonderful in the process. On the turns? She carves very predictably and transitions smoothly. The GT350 alignment specs (due to FP springs) I got on her last week seemed to really to make her a little more athletic if that makes any sense. The not so good? Maybe I'm just a crappy gear changer, but performance shifting takes too much concentration. Methinks that the shift linkage is just not up for the job as it just doesn't want to be shifted with any precision at the higher revs - and I'm not going to force the issue and gorilla shift her - ever. Maybe it'll loosen up with some more miles or I'll get better shifter/clutch/throttle timing and learn how to manage her quirks better, but this seems to be the weak link in the power train - for me at least.

Final thoughts. I'm not a wanna be street or road racer so I don't need any more power and I'm sure her handling capabilities far exceeds my skill level so there are no complaints there. And since she is broken in now I can finally cruise her in 6th on the highway. I got 29.6 mil/gal on my way 27 mi trek into work today! Very impressive. I just hope the tranny/shifter becomes a better with time.

Congratulations on giving it the boot! Before you begin exploring shifter options, suggest you try two simple changes first: 1) replace the OE clutch pedal spring with the Steeda 35 lb/in spring , and 2) drain the trans fluid and replace it with BG Sychro Shift II . I've done both, and in the shifting/clutch action is much better, even at high RPM. On previous cars (not Mustangs) I've replaced stock shift linkages with various versions of afermarket shifters, and ALWAYS found them to optimize one characteristic at the expense of another. I'm committed to not do the same on the Bullitt, and explore simple, non-invasive ways to improve clutch/transmission shifting.

 

[Yareen1]

I noticed on my way home from work last night that I was a few miles over the 1000 mile mark so I decided to take a side road home and let her run a little. Yes, I know. Safety first and nothing stupid, dangerous, or irresponsible.

My thoughts: Goodness gracious! This car is pretty darn fast. She bites down on hard acceleration, the front end lifts and she pulls and pulls and sounds wonderful in the process. On the turns? She carves very predictably and transitions smoothly. The GT350 alignment specs (due to FP springs) I got on her last week seemed to really to make her a little more athletic if that makes any sense. The not so good? Maybe I'm just a crappy gear changer, but performance shifting takes too much concentration. Methinks that the shift linkage is just not up for the job as it just doesn't want to be shifted with any precision at the higher revs - and I'm not going to force the issue and gorilla shift her - ever. Maybe it'll loosen up with some more miles or I'll get better shifter/clutch/throttle timing and learn how to manage her quirks better, but this seems to be the weak link in the power train - for me at least.

Final thoughts. I'm not a wanna be street or road racer so I don't need any more power and I'm sure her handling capabilities far exceeds my skill level so there are no complaints there. And since she is broken in now I can finally cruise her in 6th on the highway. I got 29.6 mil/gal on my way 27 mi trek into work today! Very impressive. I just hope the tranny/shifter becomes a better with time.

Glad your enjoying your new pony man. The first pull in her sure is fun! Get the clutch spring forsure, its adds to the feel of the car. ive never had any issue downshifting into the 4-4500 range, not sure if you would consider that "high" but high enough for this car to get up and go.

 

[SLOBullitt]

Glad your enjoying your new pony man. The first pull in her sure is fun! Get the clutch spring forsure, its adds to the feel of the car. ive never had any issue downshifting into the 4-4500 range, not sure if you would consider that "high" but high enough for this car to get up and go.

Agree. Got the Steeda spring. Was the first mod I did. Very happy with the feel.

 

[Bullitt]

Did you miss a shift when doing a high rpm pull? I did that once, thought I just botched the shift but then I came home, googled and saw that high-rpm lockout is somewhat common with this transmission in the 18+. Can't remember if there's a TSB or not for it or what the solution is, but it hasn't happened to me again so I'm gonna forget about it until it does. I agree with aileron on changing transmission fluid, I did that in a previous car and it definitely made the shifting better. Personally, when cruising around, I think the Bullitt transmission feels perfect, I was just admiring it yesterday. Even the stock clutch spring seems easier to modulate than on my previous 3 S550 Mustangs.

 

[SLOBullitt]

Did you miss a shift when doing a high rpm pull? I did that once, thought I just botched the shift but then I came home, googled and saw that high-rpm lockout is somewhat common with this transmission in the 18+. Can't remember if there's a TSB or not for it or what the solution is, but it hasn't happened to me again so I'm gonna forget about it until it does. I agree with aileron on changing transmission fluid, I did that in a previous car and it definitely made the shifting better. Personally, when cruising around, I think the Bullitt transmission feels perfect, I was just admiring it yesterday. Even the stock clutch spring seems easier to modulate than on my previous 3 S550 Mustangs.

Something like that. It just wouldn't let me pull it into second and I was only at about 58000 rpm and then once from 2nd to 3rd about 5000 rpm, but I think that might be more about the clutch than the shift linkage. I think i might try to change the oil though cuz it's the gear nibbling that concerns me the most though. I just can't believe a babied, carefully broken in, BRAND NEW CAR wants to nibble in second and third gears. Don't get me wrong, it isn't horrible or undriveable and certainly gets better the warmer the tranny oil gets, but I expected a little better for the money I paid for this car. It make me wonder what kind of wear pattern on the gears and synchros this is forming. As I mentioned in another post Ford (IMO) isn't known for their shifters. That's why we used to put Hurst shifters in them as a first mod on the toploader trannys.

 

[Schwerin]

Something like that. It just wouldn't let me pull it into second and I was only at about 58000 rpm and then once from 2nd to 3rd about 5000 rpm, but I think that might be more about the clutch than the shift linkage. I think i might try to change the oil though cuz it's the gear nibbling that concerns me the most though. I just can't believe a babied, carefully broken in, BRAND NEW CAR wants to nibble in second and third gears. Don't get me wrong, it isn't horrible or undriveable and certainly gets better the warmer the tranny oil gets, but I expected a little better for the money I paid for this car. It make me wonder what kind of wear pattern on the gears and synchros this is forming. As I mentioned in another post Ford (IMO) isn't known for their shifters. That's why we used to put Hurst shifters in them as a first mod on the toploader trannys.

In my old Mach1 I would grind often. Soon as I moved to a MGW it was like butter.

 

[w3rkn]

Did you miss a shift when doing a high rpm pull? I did that once, thought I just botched the shift but then I came home, googled and saw that high-rpm lockout is somewhat common with this transmission in the 18+. Can't remember if there's a TSB or not for it or what the solution is, but it hasn't happened to me again so I'm gonna forget about it until it does. I agree with aileron on changing transmission fluid, I did that in a previous car and it definitely made the shifting better. Personally, when cruising around, I think the Bullitt transmission feels perfect, I was just admiring it yesterday. Even the stock clutch spring seems easier to modulate than on my previous 3 S550 Mustangs.

Matt, did you switch to BG Synchro Shift II yet..? If not, you should do that asap it will make driving the stang that much better.

 

[Bullitt]

Something like that. It just wouldn't let me pull it into second and I was only at about 58000 rpm and then once from 2nd to 3rd about 5000 rpm, but I think that might be more about the clutch than the shift linkage. I think i might try to change the oil though cuz it's the gear nibbling that concerns me the most though. I just can't believe a babied, carefully broken in, BRAND NEW CAR wants to nibble in second and third gears. Don't get me wrong, it isn't horrible or undriveable and certainly gets better the warmer the tranny oil gets, but I expected a little better for the money I paid for this car. It make me wonder what kind of wear pattern on the gears and synchros this is forming. As I mentioned in another post Ford (IMO) isn't known for their shifters. That's why we used to put Hurst shifters in them as a first mod on the toploader trannys.

Hmmm, high-rpm lockout shouldn't be happening as low at 5-6k rpms. I'd try either taking it to the dealer or swapping the fluid. Mine definitely doesn't have that issue.

Matt, did you switch to BG Synchro Shift II yet..? If not, you should do that asap it will make driving the stang that much better.

I haven't yet, but like I said, I don't have any complaints either. If the high-rpm lockout happens again next year I'll probably swap it.

 

[SLOBullitt]

Hmmm, high-rpm lockout shouldn't be happening as low at 5-6k rpms. I'd try either taking it to the dealer or swapping the fluid. Mine definitely doesn't have that issue.



I haven't yet, but like I said, I don't have any complaints either. If the high-rpm lockout happens again next year I'll probably swap it.

I think I'll try to replace the tranny flid and see how it feels. Many people seem to think that Ford puts too thin a fluid in for mileage reasons and that a better fluid (generally thicker) gives a smoother feel. Do you (or anyone else) have the gear nibble until the tranny fluid heats up? Do you think this is normal and causes no harm? I've read up on whatever I could find on the mt-82 and it appears that cold nibble and higher rpm lock out are common complaints.

 

[Yareen1]

Matt, did you switch to BG Synchro Shift II yet..? If not, you should do that asap it will make driving the stang that much better.

Ive heard only good things on synchro shift. will this cause an warranty issues if we change out the tranny oil from what ford "reccomends"?

 

[aileron]

Ive heard only good things on synchro shift. will this cause an warranty issues if we change out the tranny oil from what ford "reccomends"?

The BG looks and smells the same as the factory fill. IF, and it's a big if, I have a problem with the trans I might, MIGHT, drain the Synchro Shift and refill with the OE Ford oil before taking it in for evaluation It's one of the reasons I went with BG instead of Redline MTL or Royal Purple.

 

[Yareen1]

The BG looks and smells the same as the factory fill. IF, and it's a big if, I have a problem with the trans I might, MIGHT, drain the Synchro Shift and refill with the OE Ford oil before taking it in for evaluation It's one of the reasons I went with BG instead of Redline MTL or Royal Purple.

ah okay I see. I guess that is a good warranty precaution. So it probably does void it. I was debating between BG or royal purple but that answers it.

Thanks

 

[Bullitt]

I think I'll try to replace the tranny flid and see how it feels. Many people seem to think that Ford puts too thin a fluid in for mileage reasons and that a better fluid (generally thicker) gives a smoother feel. Do you (or anyone else) have the gear nibble until the tranny fluid heats up? Do you think this is normal and causes no harm? I've read up on whatever I could find on the mt-82 and it appears that cold nibble and higher rpm lock out are common complaints.

No gear nibble here, mine is all smooth. I never even heard of that term till now haha. Some people's MT-82s are a little rough when cold, and the same can be said for a lot of manuals. I wouldn't worry about it, Ford tests things like this and if it's common, it's most likely something the engineers have encountered that falls within their tolerances and should be fine I'm guessing.

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