Transmission Failure Signs

[loosenut]

1. I was wondering if the trans from all years 96 to 99 are interchangable or not. I have a 99 SHO and am thinking of getting a 96 full car fully loaded for $400.00 for spare parts or to fix it.
2. Maybe I have just never noticed it before or it could be a new problem all together. My transmission seems like it changes gears fine except that it takes longer for the 2nd to 3rd change than I remember. I find myself taking or backing my foot off the gas pedal to get it to change sooner. It just seems like the maybe the torque converter keeps locking and unlocking, more than the A/c causes anyway. Seems like I have to give it extra gas say when going up a hill to get it to kick out the TQ.C.
Could the AC clutch be causing all this as it was blowing super cold sometimes and then warmer air the next minute. Have not taken the time to de-clutch it yet.
It may be my imagination but I don't seem to remember any of this before. RPM's are around 2000 at 55 or 60in O/D. I just don't remember it that high before. Perhaps I am just parinoid.
Other than these things it seems to shift fine, even under pedal to the floor changes.
Just lloking for thoughts or hints at a failing trans or TQ.C.
Thanks anyway.

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Trannies from 96-99 are NOT all interchangeable. 99 you had no OD button.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

'96 and '97 trannys are fully interchangeable amongst both years. '96 and '97 trannys can also be used in a '98 after a TCC solenoid change, and by the same token a '98 tranny can be used in a '96 or '97 with a TCC solenoid change.

For early '99s with a manual 2nd gear, the same info above applies as to a '98.

For late '99s with no manual 2nd and no TCS (O/D off) switch, those are completely unique and not interchangeable with anything but themselves.

 

[JoesSHO]

In my past experiences, (with any car) when you post a symptom of what you think is something failing, more often than not, it's failing. Simply because you know how the car should drive... Maybe a fluid change will help...

 

[SHO2]

My buddys SHO is doing that but it takes a few stabs at the gas pedals to swicth gears. is it sliping more on hills or just flat ground does it do it?

 

[loosenut]

No, it does not seem to slip at all. Kind of hard to tell with the way the trans in these cars works so smooth away but no. It just seems to keep going in and out of TQ C lock up or something. I don't think it is the OD gear. It still shifts fine, but I just do not remember seeing the tach needle swinging so much.
Perhaps it is getting ready to let go, I don't know. What should be the normal rpm at say 60? Maybe that would tell if the TQ.C is going or not. The car has just turned 60,000 miles that has been very easy as far as I can tell.
At worst I will just have it fixed when and if it fails.
Keep the ideas coming though. I just wish there was a way to check it out.

 

[SHOZ123]

It's quite normal for the TC to lock and unlock all the time with stock Ford tranny tuning. Some situations are during throttle lift, acceleration, going up a hill, when the AC is on, tapping the brakes and more I'm sure.

A good tune can eliminate this though and adjust the point of lockup if you want.

 

[loosenut]

Just for curiosity sake can anyone tell me what their rpm's are at say 60 or 70 in OD?
Thanks guys.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Just for curiosity sake can anyone tell me what their rpm's are at say 60 or 70 in OD?
Thanks guys.

70 should be just under 2500. 2500 even should give you about 72mph.

 

[loosenut]

Thanks man. Perhaps some of this is me then. Found a honest Trans guy. Gonna get it looked at just for sanity sake. If nothing wrong there, then it is mufflers and some new suspension parts.

 

[macaddict]

Mine runs about half a needles width above 2000 RPM at 60, at 70 it runs 2350, and at 75 it is running 2500 even.

If you want mufflers, look into Dynomax Ultraflow Race mufflers.
They offer low noise at 60-70 mph cruising speeds, but after their "break-in" period, they give a nice little bark when stepping on it hard. They are about $65 each from Jegs.

 

[loosenut]

I will have to see if I can find a sound bite somewhere. I was gonna go Flowmaster route since I have had them before on my Cobra's, Thanks.
My RPM's are a little high then. I think at 70 mine is just over 2500 or more, I will check. If anything is wrong I think it is most likely a lazy TQC then. Seems to act somewhat better with the A/C off. I will report back once I go somewhere to get up to that kind of speed. I only work 4 miles from home and a half mile of that is a school zone.
Since the weather is turning away from so hot now, I have started riding my Mountain Bike to work.
Late and thanks.