is the tremec 3550 transmission a good and reliable tranny? i would like to put it in my car, but dont know enough and cant find enough ratings that i dont know whats up with it. any info or opinions on this tranny are appreciated
thanks

 

yes, i have herd good things about that tranny, but the 3650 is probly a better model. actually, i think the only difference are the first 2 gears and the shifter rails. on the 3650 the first to gears are...ahh i cant remember, but there is a certin cut used for pure durability and performance, but it makes some noise. and it has duel shifter rails. the 3550 has the standered cut on the first 2 gears and a single shifter rail. i'm not 100% sure. but if my memory serves correct i am. if that makes any sence.

 

I think (if memory servs me correct) the 3650 is stock in the newer mustangs and that trans is kinda hit or mis, you will either go threw alot of them or it will hold for awhile, its a stock trans for the mustang. IF this is the trans I am thinking of (from 99-01 they had 2 diff. trans put into the mustangs a T45 99-early 01 or late 00 and the 3650 from then to now) the bolt patt. is for a 4.6 and will not mate up to a 302/351. It was a little better than the T45 but real close.

The 3550 was upped in its trq rating this year or last, and is a rock solid trans. if you feel you need more you should look into a TKO (they just came out with 2 diff. kinds instead of 1) or a T56 six speed viper spec. the 3550 has gone 10.9 in saleen cars with no problems. the 3550 is a little cheaper upon purchase and also you will have less stuff to swap or change too as if you went TKO or T56.

 

i thought the 3650 was the 01 cobra transmission and was a very stout unit. i've seen it behind 450rwhp stangs, i dont know how long they have lasted or what number trans those guys are on, but i've drivin them and they seem to be a really great feeling trans. esp w/ the steeda triax shifter.

 

i want to match the tr3550 to my 351 cleveland. i dont even know if my 67 fastback was originally a 4 speed or automatic because it has a 1970 engine and 71 tranny (fmx). how hard would it be to convert to the tremec with all the linkage and stuff? what else would i need to do to the car to change this also? and ive heard you need to get a different starter if you convert to a manual. dont know if its true but wanted to know. how much would it cost to have this procedure professionally done? thanks for the input again

 

You might want to check out stangnet.com (I know this board does not like "other" sites being posted but he needs the help of a special model thats not a truck) there is a classic sec. that the memebers there might have more/better info.


I would think that you would need a bell housing for a 87+ mustang (I think the stock one would work but you might need a sfi tremec one) and there would more than likely need to be some sort of mod to Xmember to get the mounts lined up, a welder and some plate should get you to fab it in the worst case, and drilling holes in diff. locations in the easyest case. The drive shaft may need to have a diff. yoke put on it as I dont know the spline count of a fmx. In swapping to a 87+ style mustang bell you would also probably want to get the clutch fork and cabel setup, this would prob be a better set up and give you more choices in clutches that you can use.
again I am just guessing on this, and that is why I would check out with a group that probalby has done it on before mentioned site.

As far as the 3560 I would wonder how long the 1360 holds up and the 03 stepped up to a t56 at 360hp and that was ford dumping that trans at that level. The bell housing is cast as one piece with the trans. This will make it not bolt up to a 302/351 as 4.6 has a diff. bolt patt. And the 3550 is a stonger trans. than the 3560.