Tremec 3550 speed shifting

Nuke427 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-10-2003, 02:25 PM

Anyone notice a grind noise when speed shifting their Tremec 3550 at high rpm, 6500-7000? When I say speed shifting, I'm still using the clutch. I asked a local transmission mechanic and he thought the Tremec transmissions had a make before break kinda setup with the gears during quick high rpm shifts. Like when shifting from 1st to 2nd, the act of engaging 2nd kicked it out of 1st.
The Tremec operates perfectly and only makes the noise during the shift at high rpm and when doing it quickly. Anymore info on this would be appreciated. By the way, it's new along with a new King Cobra hydraulic clutch.

Thanks, Nuke.

blubyu2 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-10-2003, 05:36 PM

Nuke,
Thats the same setup I run behind my bulit 289 I shift at around 6700rpm with no noise at all. What are you using for fluid GM ? That made a big differance in the way mine shifted.

Greg

Nuke427 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2003, 06:53 PM

I don't know what fluid I have in it. It came setup ready to run. I do know that it's brown, not red. What fluid are you using? I don't really know what's causing it, could be fluid, could be the clutch. But it sucks b/c it's all brand new.

aumoore · #4 (**permalink**) 11-10-2003, 07:16 PM

I just put a 3550 in my hunter and the Tremec manual said no speed shifting until it gets broken in. They reccomend at least 500 miles of shifting up and down thru the gears and no speed shifting untill after 1000 miles. The only tranny fluid they roccomend is the GM syncromesch.

Is yours broken in yet???

I have read that not breaking in a tremec is bad news.

crandell · #5 (**permalink**) 11-10-2003, 07:20 PM

Here in So Calif a lot of gear heads use Royal Purple Synthetic or QMI/Ever-Wear gear treatments. The guy who used to rep the product was Charley Quarelli at 1-800-755-7833. I know he is personal friends with some of the Unsers and the Tommy Edwards of Edwards Engines in New Mexico. You may want to call him (assuming I have the phone # right) Hope it helps.
ps bet that motor sounds real sweet at 7 grand...
bc SoCal

Nuke427 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-10-2003, 07:27 PM

Is the GM syncromesh a brown fluid? If it is that may be what's in it. I will call Reg tomorrow and find out for sure. My car has just turned 1,000 miles and I sure haven't been nice to it. It works as it should at normal speeds/rpms even at higher rpms if you wait 1/2 second prior to pulling it into 2nd or pushing it into 3rd.

Nuke427 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-10-2003, 07:35 PM

From anything I've read on grinding a touch going through the gears would be a clutch problem. Maybe the King Cobra clutch is acting up? It's fully engaged before it hits the floor, I don't know, I'm kinda at a loss. I was hoping someone would say, hey don't sweat it they all do that.

Hal Copple · #8 (**permalink**) 11-10-2003, 08:13 PM

Nuke may have it most accurately, you are perhaps not fully disengaging the clutch before you are starting your shift. At the dragstrip, i move my seat up one notch just to make my foot action that slighly more faster.

You might move your clutch disengagement up a bit off the floor, by an adjustment at the bellhousing. Also, if it is the second to third shift, some people are trying to force the lever forward, rather than letting the spring detents pull it into third. You might try just moving the gear shift lever with the flat of your hand, not with your fingers, it may shift faster, and not bind up in the transtion across the H in your shift.

hal

TerrysSPF · #9 (**permalink**) 11-10-2003, 08:15 PM

With the car being so new, I wouldn't think the clutch would need anjusting already. From what I hear, the best stuff out there is something called: Ultra Shift, from Performance Unlimited. It's gotten great reviews. www.performanceunlimited.com
Look under Cobra Valley

Nuke427 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-10-2003, 09:00 PM

Well, I'm not too worried about it right now. I've only had it happen during real spirited driving which is only a few times in this first thousand miles. I'll continue to research and I may find out that my coordination with the long shifter is just a .001 of a second off and I'm really not fully engaging the clutch.

justa6 · #11 (**permalink**) 11-10-2003, 09:19 PM

I've been speed shifting my Tremec since it had around 500 miles on it and the trans has been perfect. My shift light comes on at 7600 and I've never hit the rev limiter at 8,200 (yet). I use GM synchomesh trans fluid.

Regards,

NZCOBRA · #12 (**permalink**) 11-11-2003, 12:51 AM

Hi Nuke , I bought my tremec TR 4250 in 93 Its been great . Make sure your clutch fork to slave is ajusted correctly ,with a little clearance , are you getting enough travel out of the slave ? . Correct ratio of bore diameters ?
There used to be a book called ? The Brake and Clutch Manual . (or something) I think it tells you how much air gap there should be between plate and flywheel .this will make your shifting easier (hard to measure without split bell housing )

Best of luck Vaughn

Mike Braddock · #13 (**permalink**) 11-11-2003, 05:33 AM

Bob,

What kind of adapter are you using to run a tremec behind that Buick motor

?

Mike

justa6 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-11-2003, 06:45 AM

I use a McCloud scattershield that is set up for BOP (Buick, Old, Pontiac) engine bolt pattern. Then there is a plate adapter that makes the trans "vertical". ie not tipped like the Camaro's.

I also use a "block saver" plate between the bell housing and the block as Stage II blocks are expensive.

Regards,