MT-82 shifting woes

[KonaBlue11]

I searched thru this forum before posting and couldn't find anything specific to the MGW shifter feel and what I'm encountering, so I apologize if this was brought up before and buried somewhere.

I've installed the MGW shifter in my 2011 GT and have put at least 2000 miles on it or more since installing it. I can't honestly decide if I was better off before or not, there really hasn't seemed to be any significant improvement in the shifting feel, other than a slight reduction in throw.

My main problem is the crap feel of the 2-3 and the 4-5 shift, especially the 4-5. But everything feels kludgy and sloppy. I have to fight for damn near every gear too. Now I find myself grinding gears occasionally, where I never had that problem before on the stock setup.

I'm wondering if it has something to do with my climate, I'm in the bay area, temps are always cool, and I only have a 9 mile drive each way to work. It's only slightly better when I get to work than when I leave. I don't think it's the shifter itself, it seems like such a well built, well designed product, but I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced anything similar? I'm just surprised at the amount of effort required to get to go into the gear I want. Even getting it into reverse is still a bitch after a great deal of use. I can live with that though, I'd just like to have a better shift feel, pulling thru the gears. Any ideas?

 

[Grimace427]

Did you drive it with the rubber boot off at all? If not try it and see if the problem lies there and not the shifter itself.

 

[Bullitt 3309]

Call MGW as well, they are always on point to help.

 

[mr. anderson]

sounds like you may want to put it back to stock if the stock was better. I would recommend trying a different transmission fluid first though. do a search here on the MT- 82 transmission fluid. it's been a while for me and I know there have been different recommendations, I changed my fluid out and it made a difference in the colder weather. but by nature the MT-82 doesn't shift as smooth as say a T-56 does. even after changing the fluid and a MGW, they do help out greatly though.

 

[stkjock]

how many turns is it set to?

have you tired a longer drive to see the fluid up to warmer temps and if that effects shifting?

as mentioned above, a fluid swap would likely help.

 

[TGR96]

FWIW, I was running an aftermarket shifter and bracket (not MGW). Although I liked the feel of the shifter, I was not happy with the additional NVH that came with the aftermarket set up, as my car is a DD with a 50 mile round trip commute everyday. I ended up putting the stock shifter back on and keeping the aftermarket bracket, and honestly, couldn't be happier.

I have heard of folks on here getting good results from the MT-82 by changing transmission fluid. I haven't gone that route yet, but probably will when the weather gets cooler.

 

[GrnBullitt08]

Swap transmission fluid, add JPC clutch line, and use an aftermarket bracket with a polyurethane bushing.


I've also seen a few guys posting about using polyurethane motor mounts as well to aid with Trans slop.

 

[Vin302]

how much grease did you use while installing the MGW? Also better off to use more when first installing so you dont have to break it down again to re grease

If you decide to go back to stock. I will buy your MGW

 

[KonaBlue11]

I did read thru the first half of the 16 page thread on transmission fluid. I think it might be a helpful route to pursue, but I'm unsure of which would be the best option for cold weather, so I'm definitely open to suggestions there and will likely start at that point.

I didn't drive it without the rubber boot. It has the non track bushing installed. I didn't do it myself, I had it done, but these guys specialize in modern muscle cars only and their work comes highly recommended with a lot of repeat customers/ friends of mine so I trust their work.

The JPC clutch line sounds interesting and perhaps something to pursue. Are you inferring there's a polyurathane bushing on that as well? I'm just unfamiliar with it.

The NVH is minimal and not a bother at all. I think most of my gripes might lie in the transmission itself and perhaps not the shifter, but I just don't know. Maybe the MGW is revealing the shortcomings in the transmission more clearly. If I could have what I want, it would be relatively even resistance thru the pull, without a feeling of it slipping around. I'd go for a firmer shift feel if it felt more even, if that makes any sense.

And I just called and missed MGW by about 3 minutes, they all are gone for the day but the woman answering the phone took my number and they'll call me back in the morning tomorrow.

 

[Vin302]

I did read thru the first half of the 16 page thread on transmission fluid. I think it might be a helpful route to pursue, but I'm unsure of which would be the best option for cold weather, so I'm definitely open to suggestions there and will likely start at that point.

I didn't drive it without the rubber boot. It has the non track bushing installed. I didn't do it myself, I had it done, but these guys specialize in modern muscle cars only and their work comes highly recommended with a lot of repeat customers/ friends of mine so I trust their work.

The JPC clutch line sounds interesting and perhaps something to pursue. Are you inferring there's a polyurathane bushing on that as well? I'm just unfamiliar with it.

The NVH is minimal and not a bother at all. I think most of my gripes might lie in the transmission itself and perhaps not the shifter, but I just don't know. Maybe the MGW is revealing the shortcomings in the transmission more clearly. If I could have what I want, it would be relatively even resistance thru the pull, without a feeling of it slipping around. I'd go for a firmer shift feel if it felt more even, if that makes any sense.

My first thought would be check to see how much grease they actually used. Not enough grease could cause a notchy feeling. Even more so that you didn't install it so you have no clue if there is enough.

And the clutch line does not expand under hard shifting like the factory plastic line. If you don't have the Line grab it from JPC(vendor on here)

Does the notchiness happen with every shift? Or only under WOT?

Honestly I hated my MT82 when I first got it. Blew it up after 1,400 miles. Second unit went in still didnt like it. After the clutch line, Barton Bracket and clutch spring removal I have no complaints about it. Still ordered the whiteline transmission insert for good measure.

 

[KonaBlue11]

Notchiness is evident in all shifts. No whine at all. I forgot to mention how much harder it is to get into first on downshifts as well. It's a PITA engaging and that's when I've accidentally done some grinding, recently.

It's a low mileage daily driver, a brief stretch of freeway for about 2.5 miles, then San Francisco typical street traffic, so I'm almost never able to push the car hard. I don't beat on it at all.

I went back thru and read every single post in the 16 page thread about transmission oil. It was more enlightening as I got deeper into it. I think it paints a pretty clear picture that the stock manual transmission is mostly to blame. My installer who I just spoke to couldn't find any factory recommended oils other than OEM, but I think I'm going to take a chance on some Amsoil MTG first and see how that goes.

If the JPC line isn't a bloody fortune to pick up or install, maybe I'll do both at the same time. I'll ask the guys about the grease they used, maybe they can pack more in.

OK, JPC line purchased thru the vendor here. I'll call my guys and make sure they have the oil on hand when the line arrives. I'll share some feedback once it gets done. Any other advice or input is still very appreciated. Thanks all.

 

[JDos1]

If you're in a colder climate, I'd skip the Amsoil MTG and go with Amsoil MTF or Red Line MTL. I run MTG but am in a hotter climate.

There isn't a fluid different than the factory recommended that's recommended by another company, partially because of legal reasons. Amsoil used to list MTG on their site as the recommended fluid when the 5.0/MT82 Combo first came out but removed it months later (As I've been told) because their legal dept informed them that it'd be a wise move due to the higher failure rate of the MT82 in these cars...

 

[stkjock]

how many turns is it set to?

 

[KonaBlue11]

If you're referring to the amounts of turns the screw/spring that controls the firmness of the bounce out of reverse is, I'm not sure. I imagine I can pull the center console and play with it a bit myself. I was just loathe to take on the task of lifting the car in my tiny apartment garage and try to do the install myself, so I took it to a shop. I must have watched that install video 5 or 6 times all the way thru.

My garage is insulated, the temps here never seem to drop lower than the low 50's at worse, and a hot day in Pacifica (right next to San Francisco to the south) is the low 70's. I think a heat wave gets us up to 78. I say this, only because it's relative to the fluid choice I suppose. I don't need one that might be called for if I was starting it in a 30º environment.

Turns out the shop carries all of Amsoil, all RP, and a few others, so I'll have options on hand when the clutch line arrives, I'll be able to make a more informed choice. It's a two brother business and it's odd how they actually talk people out of doing work. He's always steered me towards the cheapest option or the most bang for the buck type setup. He'll only install something that a customer is quite certain they want. It's kinda odd, but slightly refreshing.

 

[stkjock]

I was refering to what appears not to be present in the 6m shifter. The older shifter had a adjustable throw setting on the underside. My mistake as I assumed the new shifter had the safe setup and it appears it doesn't.

 

[Vin302]

Turns out the shop carries all of Amsoil, all RP, and a few others, so I'll have options on hand when the clutch line arrives, I'll be able to make a more informed choice. It's a two brother business and it's odd how they actually talk people out of doing work. He's always steered me towards the cheapest option or the most bang for the buck type setup. He'll only install something that a customer is quite certain they want. It's kinda odd, but slightly refreshing.

Just so we are clear. The clutch line has nothing to do with the fluid in the transmission. Our clutch shares the same reservoir as the brake fluid. Should you still change the fluid of the trans yes. While there doing the line swap over you may want them to put a higher boiling point fluid in.(They'll also have to flush the brake system.) When I did my line I went with the Super Blue fluid. Which the federal government just found out its blue so is now illegal. See if they have any in stock or go with a Motul RBF.

 

[kcbrown]

This might be relevant:

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/2510257-post2573.html

 

[KonaBlue11]

Sweet Jesus that's a lot of reading... Thanks for the link though. It looks like the guy who did the shims stopped posting. Has anybody read thru further to find out if it worked well in the long run, or what happened when it was done on something other than a stock shifter?

 

[Justinjor]

There is 1 adjustment on the MGW that is critical and might be the source of your issues. There is an adjustable pin on the shifter that lets you fine tune the 1-2 and R shift "wall". If that pin isn't set correctly, you're going to have a whole host of issues.

That's the first place I would look. Does the car go into gear smoothly with the motor off?

 

[KonaBlue11]

Pretty great customer support from MGW. The guy who created the whole thing just called me. He was helpful, honest and straightforward, but he did clarify that since I didn't do the install myself (and hence, know where I set certain things like the pin mentioned above) that he couldn't possibly nail down what might be the problem.

I can play with it a bit later and see how it feels going into gear when the motor's off and report back. I recall doing it a little bit and not having anything odd feeling in the past. He reviewed some synchro issues that can develop if parts are wearing, also brought up possible clutch disengagement issues to work out. He thought a thinner transmission fluid like the Amsoil's would be a good idea to help out the notchy feeling.

He also said on both his 2012 Boss and 2013 BOSS LS, with the MGW in place, that he doesn't even need to guide the shifter into 3rd from 2nd. He only needs to push with the flat of his palm straight up and it pops right in. I don't think I've ever been able to do that. I forgot that part in the video when he talks about the feel, but remembered once he brought it up, I should have been able to do that from day one. But he did say the cold weather will bring out the worst in this transmission until it's been run for 5 minutes.

The ominous sign for me though, is twice, I've gone from a dead stop in neutral, tried to get into first to get going and have ground the gears. So either the clutch isn't letting out right, or the synchros are having problems (?) I'm not a mechanic, the only thing I tool on are old vintage espresso machines. Ha.