Transmission & Driveline Tech – Page 2 – TREMEC Blog: Get Connected

Improve Jeep and 4×4 Performance with the TREMEC TR-4050 5-speed Manual Transmission

The Jeep Wrangler is an iconic off-road vehicle. But through the years, the various models haven’t always had the best manual transmissions. For example, the Jeep YJ (1987-1995 model years) and Jeep TJ (1997-2006) lacked a decent First gear ratio, and owners found the transmissions to be less durable once larger tires and weight were added to the Jeep, including heavier axles and other off-road equipment. The factory NSG370 6-speed transmission found in the Jeep JK (2007-2018) was better, but there was still room for improvement in the eyes of Wrangler enthusiasts. The superior First gear ratio and incredible strength of the TREMEC TR-4050 5-speed manual transmission has made it a desirable upgrade not only for the Jeep Wrangler, but also many other light trucks and 4×4 SUVs. Read More “Improve Jeep and 4×4 Performance with the TREMEC TR-4050 5-speed Manual Transmission”

Common TREMEC Transmission Installation and Conversion Mistakes to Avoid

A trouble-free conversion to a TREMEC transmission starts with good planning. Selecting the right transmission for your application and knowing the accessories and parts required will prevent headaches during the installation. To give you the best tips to make installing a TREMEC 5-speed or 6-speed transmission as easy as possible, we interviewed some of our TREMEC Elite Distributors about common challenges and mistakes encountered – and how you can avoid them. Read More “Common TREMEC Transmission Installation and Conversion Mistakes to Avoid”

How to Use the TREMEC Gear Ratio Calculator

When building a vehicle, selecting a TREMEC 5- or 6-speed transmission gives you the opportunity to change the vehicle’s axle gear ratio in order to maximize the driving experience. The TREMEC Gear Ratio Calculator makes it easy to experiment with the affect that various ratios will have on the engine rpm at various speeds, letting you choose the ratio that will be best for the way you want to use your vehicle. Read More “How to Use the TREMEC Gear Ratio Calculator”

TREMEC Transmission Maintenance

Love the great performance and smooth shifting of your TREMEC Magnum 6-speed, TKX 5-speed or T-5 5-speed transmission? We thought so. And regular maintenance will keep your transmission in top-performing condition.

Our transmissions are manufactured to strict original-equipment vehicle manufacturing standards, and they do not require much maintenance. The popular Magnum, TKX and T-5 transmissions are often installed in high-performance or race vehicles that require somewhat regular inspection.

In this article, we’ll provide a rundown of what to check, as well as how to perform an oil change on a TREMEC transmission built for aftermarket use. If you have a transmission that came as factory equipment in a vehicle, we recommend that you follow the vehicle-manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule and procedures.

TREMEC-Transmission-Maintenance-2 — For all of this work, the car will need to be elevated to give you access. Secure the car safely using appropriate jack stands. It’s important to check that all transmission and bellhousing bolts are tight, including the transmission mount fasteners. If these work loose, transmission damage can occur.

TREMEC-Transmission-Maintenance-3 — Look for signs of oil leaks. Specific areas to check are where the transmission bolts to the bellhousing which could indicate an input-shaft seal leak, where the sections of the case come together and the rear-output shaft seal. Any leaks should be remedied; replacement parts and service are available through TREMEC distributors.

TREMEC-Transmission-Maintenance-15 — Also check the driveshaft U-bolt fasteners. If these become loose, it can cause a driveline vibration, and can eventually cause a leak at the rear output seal.

TREMEC-Transmission-Maintenance-4 — We recommend that the fluid in a TREMEC Magnum, TKX or T-5 transmission should be changed after its initial 500 miles. The fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles after that. You can use a high-quality Dexron III fluid, or TREMEC HP-MTF™ manual transmission fluid. We developed HP-MTF to provide rugged protection while maintaining responsive shifting. It takes the guesswork out of which oil is correct for my TREMEC aftermarket transmission.

TREMEC-Transmission-Maintenance-5 — To drain the transmission oil, locate the drain plug. There are two plugs on the side of the transmission. The lower one is the drain and the upper one is for filling. Use a 3/8-inch square drive in the plug to remove it. Capture the drained fluid and dispose of it properly.

TREMEC-Transmission-Maintenance-423 — Once the transmission is completely drained, clean the threads on the plug and apply a mild thread-locking liquid. Insert the plug and tighten until snug – do not overtighten! Then remove the upper plug.

TREMEC-Transmission-Maintenance-8 — For most vehicles, you will need to use a pump and hose to get the new fluid into the transmission. Fill the transmission until fluid comes out of the fill hole. Let the excess fluid escape. Apply mild thread locker to the cleaned fill plug and install it in the same way that you did the drain plug. Wipe excess fluid from the outside of the transmission.

How to Prevent Manual Transmission Damage While Flat Towing

Let’s face some facts: Air travel is challenging right now, but you still want to go on vacation. AAA recently reported that it expects Americans to take 700 million trips this summer, and 97% of that travel will be road trips. Many of you will choose a motor home for your road trip to avoid hotel rooms. If your plans include flat-towing (also called dinghy towing) your favorite manual-transmission equipped vehicle, here are some tips to help you do without damaging the transmission.

The Differences Between a DCT and a Traditional Automatic Transmission

Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) technology has been around for years. As auto manufacturers strive to further improve fuel economy and powertrain performance, the advantages that a DCT has over a traditional automatic transmission become more desirable. In this article, we’ll explain the differences between a DCT and a traditional automatic transmission. Read More “The Differences Between a DCT and a Traditional Automatic Transmission”

5 Things to Consider When Converting to a TREMEC

The time has come. You’re tired of cruising along with your engine screaming. Gas gauge falling. The clunky shifts of an ancient transmission. Or worse, an automatic shifting the gears for you. The old-school cool of a manual transmission with the modern capabilities of a TREMEC sounds great, but you’re not sure where to start. Well you’re in luck, because we’ve compiled five key considerations for converting your car to a TREMEC transmission. Read More “5 Things to Consider When Converting to a TREMEC”

Introducing the TREMEC Magnum-F 6-speed for 3rd and 4Th Gen F-Bodies

Owners of 3^rd and 4^th gen GM F-body cars don’t have to search through the salvage yards and classifieds any longer to find a usable T-56 6-speed. The new TREMEC Magnum-F 6-speed gives owners of the late-model Chevy Camaro and Pontiac Firebird a bolt-in manual transmission option capable of handling the power output of modern, high-performance engines. Read More “Introducing the TREMEC Magnum-F 6-speed for 3rd and 4Th Gen F-Bodies”

How to Shift Your TREMEC Transmission Like a Hero

To shift like a hero, you need to hit all the gears quickly and properly. That takes practice, knowing your car, knowing your clutch and having a good shifter. With modern, internal shift-rail manual transmissions, shifting like a pro is an achievable goal. To help with that, we talked to one of our customers, who shifts his car to 9-second quarter-mile passes over and over again. Read More “How to Shift Your TREMEC Transmission Like a Hero”

Liberty’s Gears to Shift Your Own Gears with High Horsepower

TREMEC Elite Distributor Liberty’s Gears has been in the business of beefing-up manual transmissions since the days of bell-bottoms and mutton-chop sideburns. Today, Liberty’s Gears is a source for racers and enthusiasts wanting to shift their own gears behind ultra-high-horsepower engines.

Liberty’s Gears was started in 1971 by Joseph Liberty Jr. His career began in GM’s Cadillac division and in his spare time he was a successful drag racer. Experiments in developing improvements to manual transmissions for increased strength and quicker shifts earned him a solid reputation among racers across the country. Eventually he stopped racing and focused entirely on the manual transmission business, building Liberty’s Gears into an international supplier of upgraded manual transmissions and manual transmission parts. Read More “Liberty’s Gears to Shift Your Own Gears with High Horsepower”