Cannot hit 2nd gear at WOT

[Embalmer]

Asking this question for a friend who has a 2007 GT manual with CAI and long tubes + MGW shifter. At the track, he cannot hit 2nd gear. This problem has plagued him since before the shifter install, he actually bought the shifter hoping it would help the issue. Under full throttle, lifting just a bit like you would normally do at the track, it will not go into 2nd until he lets way off throttle and counts to 1. Any attempts to force the issue will result in a grinding sound. This mostly happens under full throttle high RPM situations but occasionally happens driving normally on the street. He has no issues with any other gear, just second. My guess is second gear synchro, what are your guy's thoughts?

 

[tom281]

I'm thinking what you're thinking......

 

[94tbird]

or slave or clutch but syncro seems to be #1 choice here as well

 

[DarkFireGT]

The remote shifter location is typically the cause of this trouble. Stiffening up the drive-line with stiffer motor mounts and/or CHE k member brace with engine torque limiters will fix the issue.

 

[94tbird]

The remote shifter location is typically the cause of this trouble. Stiffening up the drive-line with stiffer motor mounts and/or CHE k member brace with engine torque limiters will fix the issue.

not in my experience for 2nd gear. 3rd, yes but 2nd should never have a problem

 

[Vapour Trails]

The MGW shifter bushings are rubber I believe. I used to grind second with the stock shifter. When I moved to the tri-ax with poly bushings it completely disappeared and you can flog the thing with no deflection. The downside of the poly bushings is a lot of NVH.

 

[06vistabluegt]

I have been having this problem all year. I had 2nd gear replaced (gear and synchro) a new TOB and clutch at the same time. I have torque limiters and a Hurst shifter. It was better for a while but it came back again. The car is in the shop now for the same thing. This time I am having the guy do a little known old time racers trick. I am having him grind down every other tooth on 2nd gear. I know people are going to go ballistic over this but I am not supercharged therefore I am not putting a lot of power through it so it should be fine. He is using the gear that is banged up so if it does break all that happened is I broke a gear that was trashed already. On top of this he is installing the RAM TOB with 3/4" spacer. Hopefully this combo will help with second gear. I should get the car back tonight or tomorrow and will have it at the track this weekend.

 

[1Fast05Turbo]

Mine was doing the same thing. After replacing the synchros, and inspecting all the parts to make sure they where within specs, Ford couldn't figure out what was causing it so they replaced the tranny.

 

[5.0 Junkie]

Mine does it into 2nd and third. Worse when cold. Supposedly a TSB out there. I'm going to take it in when it gets colder here so they don't tell me it is fine.

 

[Dex]

Mine does it too. Do the stiffer engine mounts really make a difference?

I thought about creating a brace that connects the tranny to the actual body of the car. Tranny wont move so it will be easier to jam it into gear. The shifter to the tranny is a little bar.

 

[TGJ]

I occasionally have this issue as well at the track. I think in my cars case it is clutch related...

 

[1Fast05Turbo]

I thought about creating a brace that connects the tranny to the actual body of the car. Tranny wont move so it will be easier to jam it into gear.

I believe that is called a k-member brace with torque limiters....

 

[Dex]

haha funny funny but thats not what I envisioned. It would be a brace around the shifter area. Plus, I dont think I can fit the limiters with my turbo setup

 

[Embalmer]

Mine does it into 2nd and third. Worse when cold. Supposedly a TSB out there. I'm going to take it in when it gets colder here so they don't tell me it is fine.

The 2008 MY it is a known issue - my local dealership replaced synchros on a 56 mile car! I've never had any issues like that. The CHE brace does help, but in my experience, mostly 3rd gear.

 

[Johnnie D]

hmmm mine does it in second only as well...only under full throttle and only when its at or near redline..i can powershift if under redline without a problem..

 

[stkjock]

i had the issue on the 3-4 shift... the CHE torque limiters cured it!