Is the Transmission the Weak point for the Speed3?

[jaydubz]

I was just taking a look at the number of people viewing at the Drive Train and Tranny section of the speed3 forums. I recently traded in my MKV GTI because I wanted more power and so far I am wondering if I did the right thing. A day after purchasing the vehicle I noticed my clutch squeeking and when the car is cold it feels like there is a slight grind in the gears, is this normal? I have had a mazda 6 lemoned by Mazda before due to a bad tranny in the 6 and bad brakes.

What do you guys think? I am looking for some objective answers. The dealer told me that the car needed a few more miles on it to wear down?!?!? Does that sound legit?

[silverspeed03]

Well, I can't really answer your question as a whole but, I've had mine for about 2 1/2 months and 2,800 miles of pretty spirited driving with absolutely no problems.

[Fritch]

I've had zero issues with mine in 30k miles, haven't really heard of many issues at all in fact

[jaydubz]

Well, I can't really answer your question as a whole but, I've had mine for about 2 1/2 months and 2,800 miles of pretty spirited driving with absolutely no problems.

Have you ever noticed any the issues that I have described? Such as the slight grinding on a cold tranny or the squeeky clutch? Keep in mind this a 08!

[silverspeed03]

Have you ever noticed any the issues that I have described? Such as the slight grinding on a cold tranny or the squeaky clutch? Keep in mind this a 08!

I own an '08 also. No I've not had any of those issues.......well I take that back I did have a slight grinding noise sometimes when I'm in 1st gear and feathering the clutch. It only happens in 1st gear and I've only heard it maybe 4-5 times but, it was within the first week - week and a half of ownership.

[jaydubz]

I own an '08 also. No I've not had any of those issues.......well I take that back I did have a slight grinding noise sometimes when I'm in 1st gear and feathering the clutch. It only happens in 1st gear and I've only heard it maybe 4-5 times but, it was within the first week - week and a half of ownership.

OK, well that does not make me feel better but atleast I know I am not crazy! Do you happen to know what that is, ever concerned enough to bring it to the dealership Silver? Thanks for humoring my concerns! (cool)

[clos561]

OK, well that does not make me feel better but atleast I know I am not crazy! Do you happen to know what that is, ever concerned enough to bring it to the dealership Silver? Thanks for humoring my concerns! (cool)

the slight gridning i believe is jsut the fluid type, cold tranny

[silverspeed03]

OK, well that does not make me feel better but atleast I know I am not crazy! Do you happen to know what that is, ever concerned enough to bring it to the dealership Silver? Thanks for humoring my concerns! (cool)

I'm not trying to alarm you. I have not brought it to my dealers attn. because it has not happened in about 2 months. I figured it was something that would work itself out being a new car and all, I just thought everything needed to settle. Plus it was so sporadic I assumed that it end in one of those famous "Sorry but, we couldn't duplicate the noise" deals so I didn't bother.

[jaydubz]

I'm not trying to alarm you. I have not brought it to my dealers attn. because it has not happened in about 2 months. I figured it was something that would work itself out being a new car and all, I just thought everything needed to settle. Plus it was so sporadic I assumed that it end in one of those famous "Sorry but, we couldn't duplicate the noise" deals so I didn't bother.

yeah I got that deal with the clutch squeek, however one of the service techs heard it and vouched, they said that a switch may have to be replaced but for now just try to let things settle and grind itself down, not sure it I like that answer!

[Falconx84]

i don't know the right term or wording, but i'll give it a shot...

the tranny is "splash lubricated" so in the morning or after it sits awhile, the cold fluid is all at the bottom of the tranny. The fluid has to warm up a bit and splash around in the case as the tranny spins to lubricate the gears. Basically, don't be hard on it for the first few miles, esp in cold weather

[SSMS3]

I also have the cold grinding gears, nearly 8,000 miles on the car and it hasn't gotten any better since new. You can modify the timing of your shifts to minimize the effect but it's always there until you warm the fluid and get it distributed throughout the trans

[jaydubz]

I was afraid you guys were going to say that, I guess I can make do. However the squeeking is driving me crazy! However everyone at mazda seems to think it is not too detremental.

[redspeed]

Is it a squeeking at the clutch pedal, or at the engine bay? If it is the pedal, probably a little oil will do. If at the engine bay keep harassing your dealer. just my .02

[Betelgeuse]

I drive mine hard all the time and tranny feels just the same as the day I bought it 21k miles ago. The notchiness in the morning is normal, it just needs to warm up like someone already mentioned (which is fairly common in manuals). There are people tracking and racing these cars often (some with over 300whp) and I haven't seen any posts regarding broken gears yet. The biggest complaint I've seen is the shift feel which does take a little getting used to but that's about it. There are some noobs grinding 2-3rd but so far I haven't heard of anyone completely f*cking one up

[jaydubz]

Is it a squeeking at the clutch pedal, or at the engine bay? If it is the pedal, probably a little oil will do. If at the engine bay keep harassing your dealer. just my .02

The squeak is happening directly at the clutch pedal assembly. The dealer has already tried to lube it up to no avail. I am just concerned due to the fact that I lemoned a 6 a couple of years ago and one of the main complaints was the clutch and sounds and engagement point, I guess I am concerned it may be a precursor.

[fourthmeal]

I can tell you with authority that there is something with these transmissions, or perhaps better said that there is something with the linkages and shifter.

You see, before my 4th trans. mount failed, I would grind and miss all the time.

When my engine fell out (as so many have seen), they must have changed and adjusted something in there, because from that day onward, I've not missed a shift or had a single upset from the transmission. My guess is there are adjustments to make on these things, and some of them get it wrong at the factory, some get it right.

Also, I'm looking forward to a short shifter and motor mount install in my car someday.

[jaydubz]

I can tell you with authority that there is something with these transmissions, or perhaps better said that there is something with the linkages and shifter.

You see, before my 4th trans. mount failed, I would grind and miss all the time.

When my engine fell out (as so many have seen), they must have changed and adjusted something in there, because from that day onward, I've not missed a shift or had a single upset from the transmission. My guess is there are adjustments to make on these things, and some of them get it wrong at the factory, some get it right.

Also, I'm looking forward to a short shifter and motor mount install in my car someday.

Is your car a 07 or 08, supposedly all 08 models are up to date with the exception of some that need the shutter valve update. I have noticed that the margin of error between 3rd and putting it in 1st is fairly close. did you clutch squeak or give any precursors before it all failed.

[Vindikacione]

No grinding at all in my MS3. No squeaking clutch either. But shifting simply sucks. Consistency in shifts does not exist. 4th to 5th is a random gate. 5th to 6th is slow, long, and sketchy. But I only have 3600 miles, so I have lots more practice to do. Good thing the car is fast no matter what gear u r in.

[fourthmeal]

Is your car a 07 or 08, supposedly all 08 models are up to date with the exception of some that need the shutter valve update. I have noticed that the margin of error between 3rd and putting it in 1st is fairly close. did you clutch squeak or give any precursors before it all failed.

As my sig says, 2007. Incidentally, mine was one of the first to the states, and had some early issues (like the friggin trans mount)

[jaydubz]

As my sig says, 2007. Incidentally, mine was one of the first to the states, and had some early issues (like the friggin trans mount)

Aww man I am sorry to hear that, I dont know how you would do it! I would probably would have had a puppy if mine fell into that category!

I thought I ran into problems with MY Veedub, but I worry that I have gotten myself into a more expensive hole with the Speed3!

Do you guys remember if there were any precursors before you had any tranny problems?

[Nokkers3]

I have an 07 and there's always a slight grind going from 5th to 6th. I don't know, maybe I'm just not stepping on the clutch hard enough or something but there's always a slight resistance when I'm shifting from 5th to 6th.

[meha11]

Change the gearbox oil to Redline MT-90. Redline IMO is the best and they are Mazda approved. Many people have done this, myself included and there is a difference.

[Falconx84]

I have an 07 and there's always a slight grind going from 5th to 6th. I don't know, maybe I'm just not stepping on the clutch hard enough or something but there's always a slight resistance when I'm shifting from 5th to 6th.

I had the same problem at first.... so when the car is warming up, I hold the clutch in and clear every gear several times 1-2-3-4-5-6 clutch out, clutch in, 1-2-3-4-5-6 then clutch out and let it finish warming up

I do a lot of city driving, so I almost never hit 6th and it seems like just running through the gears a couple times help to get rid of the resistance. (Plus, I can make engine noises and pretend I'm racing while doing it and no one's the wiser :D)

[SAVAGE70]

Thats what I have heard. I will swapping my tranny fluid on Saturday. And I will be ordering a rear motor mount and some busihngs as well.
Change the gearbox oil to Redline MT-90. Redline IMO is the best and they are Mazda approved. Many people have done this, myself included and there is a difference.

[amascio]

Mazda factory fills these manuals with a pretty cheap factory fill oil IMHO. I'd venture a guess that is a conventional oil 75w/90 with a very low viscosity index.

Low viscosity index means that there is a great deal of viscosity (thickness) change from when it is cold to when it is fully warmed up. When fully warmed up the oil is thinner and shifting is easier with no gear grinding.

Replacing your trans oil with a synthetic product that has a high viscosity index will result in a transmission that will enable great shifting from the moment you fire the car off. My BMW had the notchiest shifting transmission I had ever used until I switched it over to Redline MTL.

Within 20 feet of the change, the transmisson shifted 1000 times better. That car now has 100k on it and it shifts better than the day I picked it up, new.

I just received the Redline MT 90 in the mail recently and next week plan to change out the fluid in my speed3. Just like everyone else here who has changed to it, the car will shift way better.

[bacarl]

Good info amascio, thanks for posting. So MT-90 is looking like the best bet from Redline?

[Ryz]

How do these problems equal a "weak" transmission?

[Nokkers3]

Could I request this at the dealership or will I have to do it myself?

[jaydubz]

good question, do you think the dealer will make such a change?

[amascio]

There are many here who testify to the fact that changing the trans oil to Redline MT 90 has helped shifting a lot.

Redline products have a high viscosity index meaning they have very little viscosity change from cold to hot. MT 90 is a very stable oil.

I have used Redline trans oil products for years in my BMW and it shifts as good as, if not better than, new.

Years ago it was an accepted maintenance practice to flush manual trans oil on new cars at 1200 miles to get rid of breakin metal. Thats exactly what I plan to do tomorrow ( car has 3900 miles). Cheers!

[Blue Buzzard]

Shifting the 08 Speed3

I live in the Northeast. Imagine my surprise shifting my NEW Speed3 on that first cold morning. Like moving a cold knife through cold butter. Smooth, really smooth. Like a frozen shift cable attached to a shift fork trying to move synchronizers and gears around in a gearbox filled with STP.

Double clutch? Ho Ho that don't work. Count to three during the 1-2 shift, don't work either. Humm let me see... I live on a hill, maybe starting off in 2nd or 3rd will work. No way. Lets try sitting in the driveway with the motor churning away until the temp gauge is in the middle. Nope the trans-axle must be warm and toasty before some semblance of normal shifting is possible.

I can tell you how many teeth are on each transmission gear by the pitch of the grind. This car has 1500 miles on it, it'll get better when the weather gets warmer. Move to California? Just drive it for 30 minutes and it's a little smoother not as good as it could be. Good design the culprit? Every gear change is different, always some difference, never a perfect gear change.

Why should I have to change the gear oil or whatever oil is in the trans-axle with oil it should have been delivered with? Synthetic oil is a possibility, it certainly works well in a motocross bike but that is a dog shifted transmission that doesn't have a ring and pinion that requires an EP lubricant.

Can't wait to start pounding on it, maybe thats what it needs.

[nig3]

Its just new and cold as shit outside, its normal. But i can say that if you upgrade to redline mt-90 it will eliminate %50 of the notchy feeling you get when its cold. and also after you beat on it some it will get smoother.

[Powerslave]

I have heard my clutch squeek here and there a little other than that no problems tranny is tough!, also so i heard that vw are notoruis for having squeeks and rattles everywhere

[chacon101]

Even here in Tampa I find morning gear changes to be notchy. Ten minutes later and it's as good as it's going to be. I still have the stock fluids in everywhere though.

Yeah, my old GTI squeaked and rattled like an old pirate ship. I was back in DC recently and drove it around for a few days. Holy-crap. I was soooo happy to get back to my MS3. To think I used to be fully and completed in love with that car...

[speedtec]

you defenitely need to take apart your tranny to appriciate how advanced it is. the ring gear is bolted to the diff with 16 fasteners! it is about 2" thick and about 10" in diameter. the trans has three main shafts and the shift forks are friggin HUGE. actually everything in the MS3 tranny is MASSIVE. i had a 3 sport model manual trans next to another MS3 trans and it simply dwarfed the sport version. simply an awesome trans. i heard it is capable of over 500 hp.

[Colleptic]

Absolutely no clutch or transmission problems. I did notice stiff shifting for a few minutes back in winter, which was nothing that concerned me at all.

[ericrapp]

Absolutely no clutch or transmission problems. I did notice stiff shifting for a few minutes back in winter, which was nothing that concerned me at all.

16000+ of spirited driving, 50% of the time, numerous clutch drops, third gear wheelspin, smoke coming off the rotors, flat shifting , kick shifting, second gear launches at the track, long smokey burnouts ,missing third when i first got her and mms, and generally beating the hell out of it. Hello Mazda forum spies!!!! even smoked up clutch on like the third day. It came back around a rebedded just fine. This car rocks! No i have had nothing but a good experience with the drivetrain excepting tires. Love you Mazda!

[jaydubz]

16000+ of spirited driving, 50% of the time, numerous clutch drops, third gear wheelspin, smoke coming off the rotors, flat shifting , kick shifting, second gear launches at the track, long smokey burnouts ,missing third when i first got her and mms, and generally beating the hell out of it. Hello Mazda forum spies!!!! even smoked up clutch on like the third day. It came back around a rebedded just fine. This car rocks! No i have had nothing but a good experience with the drivetrain excepting tires. Love you Mazda!

LOL, that was hilarious! You do know that the forum spy is two spots above your post! Good old Speedtec works at Open Road Mazda in East Brunswick NJ. Careful he may go and tattle! (five-0)

[4thStroke]

I was talking with Derrick at Corksport the other day, he only had great things to say about the reliability of the MS3 tranny. He too said they are huge transmissions for the car they are in.

[smoothraf]

I was reading and it seams like we all have the same problem with ous ms3, in the morning, when the car is no warmed up, the shifting of the gears is sometimes hard to do, or it seams like the gears don't go in easilly, ( grinding sound) and i'm talking about the first and second gear, anyways, i've had that problem since i started to push my car (after 5000 km), like drag starts, when i tried to shift the gear fast from 1st to 2 nd they were not going in sometimes, and i had to retry to put it in second, and it did the same from 2 to 3 .It does not happened often, but only when you shift really fast, and from then i had the problems of grinding on mornings. When the car is wormed up, after 5-10 minutes it does not happen to me. So i told the dealer from were i baught my car and they garante the repair. They told me that since the gears are syncro if you misshift it automatically fuck's the syncro, and that is because the tranny from mazda is not adapted to our ms3. It's warante all right, they then changed my syncro 1-2-3 gears. And now no problems. Before they did that they changed the tranny oil, and that helped alot, but it still happened that grinding sound in cold starts. From what i see everyone is saying that short shifter and bushing takes that problem away, plus that new tranny oil, but i wanted to let you know that changing the syncro is warante for the firts 5 years of your car, so mazda will fix that problem under no fees, but you may lose your car for a weak. Sure i could have keept my car and it wasn't that bad, after all you get used to it, but anyway mazda know that it is a problem, they will changed for you up to 3 times before they start saying something. So maybe i'm not the only one that had that problem after all.

[Super Unique]

if they told you missing a shift "automatically fucks" the syncro, they're feeding you a line of bullshit. If this was true every standard shift car in the world would be shitting trannys out everywhere. This is certainly not my first manual tranny, and everyone misses a gear once in a while.

[jaydubz]

if they told you missing a shift "automatically fucks" the syncro, they're feeding you a line of bullshit. If this was true every standard shift car in the world would be shitting trannys out everywhere. This is certainly not my first manual tranny, and everyone misses a gear once in a while.

I agree! Seems like Mazda knows there is a weak point in the car or possibly a quality issue and wants to sweep it under the rug.

[ericrapp]

LOL, that was hilarious! You do know that the forum spy is two spots above your post! Good old Speedtec works at Open Road Mazda in East Brunswick NJ. Careful he may go and tattle! (five-0)

The rat bastards will have to catch me first Ha!

[ericrapp]

Speedtec, I was just about to change tranny fluid and I have good experience with Royal in the crankcase. Sounds there are a couple real performance gear fluids. I know the gl-4 and 75w-90. What do you recommend? Also What is the strength of the shafts. I was wondering how long before I will have to order from the warrantied Drive Shaft Shop shafts. My new tires will be quite sticky and I hope this decreases wheelspin but of course the load shifts to other areas of drivetrain. delighted to hear a tech's report on trans strength! I figure you are probably the best person to ask, Thanks. Sorry for threadjack

[smoothraf]

New tranny fluids + front engine mount for the price is what i will go for on my next mods. A friend of myne did it, i tried his car and wanted those mods right away. He did those mods last weak, myself tried the car 2 night's ago, so for long therm we have no idea but for the price, and the feeling, for me that is were i'm going, and to keep my waranty working all the way.

The front mount is here http://www.turbinetech.ca/produit_detail.php?id=60&SESSID=8e371eed4844f342e970f840b9c04b4b&lang=AN

[MS3077]

New tranny fluids + front engine mount for the price is what i will go for on my next mods. A friend of myne did it, i tried his car and wanted those mods right away. He did those mods last weak, myself tried the car 2 night's ago, so for long therm we have no idea but for the price, and the feeling, for me that is were i'm going, and to keep my waranty working all the way.

The front mount is here http://www.turbinetech.ca/produit_detail.php?id=60&SESSID=8e371eed4844f342e970f840b9c04b4b&lang=AN


Wow! I never heard of a front engine mount for the Speed3. I want to hear more about this before I buy it however.

[speedtec]

LOL, that was hilarious! You do know that the forum spy is two spots above your post! Good old Speedtec works at Open Road Mazda in East Brunswick NJ. Careful he may go and tattle! (five-0)

HAHAHAHA.... i did work there. i currently work in nyc. believe what you want guys. i also own a car performance and accessory shop in NJ. if you need parts cheap let me know...

i was not there when darksun280 broke his car. i have had several fast cars, from drag racing, drifting, SCCA, etc. so i can simpathize with ALL of you. i currently have a '07 Tundra with a STS rear mount T4 turbo. and my warrenty is void on powertrain thanks to my local toyota dealer. if you modify a car and it breaks then you have to assume the dealer or manufacture will void your warrenty. everyone has had a friend that had something go wrong.

a friend of mine works at ray catena porsche and a carrea GT comes in with blown clutch and a coil misfire. they didnt warrenty a $125K car because it only had 15K miles and a burnt clutch.

say what you want about me. just like i have said, "you got to pay to play".

[ericrapp]

HAHAHAHA.... i did work there. i currently work in nyc. believe what you want guys. i also own a car performance and accessory shop in NJ. if you need parts cheap let me know...

i was not there when darksun280 broke his car. i have had several fast cars, from drag racing, drifting, SCCA, etc. so i can simpathize with ALL of you. i currently have a '07 Tundra with a STS rear mount T4 turbo. and my warrenty is void on powertrain thanks to my local toyota dealer. if you modify a car and it breaks then you have to assume the dealer or manufacture will void your warrenty. everyone has had a friend that had something go wrong.

a friend of mine works at ray catena porsche and a carrea GT comes in with blown clutch and a coil misfire. they didnt warrenty a $125K car because it only had 15K miles and a burnt clutch.

say what you want about me. just like i have said, "you got to pay to play".

What tranny fluid would you reccommend Royal, Redline, or another. Seriously. and at what Horsepower rating will the shafts give? In your proffessional opinion. Since we are here any thoughts on clutch upgrades? thanks eric

[speedtec]

i have had a lot of owners use royal purple or redline. i also like amsoil ($$$). any synthetic will work. just make sure if you use synthetic make sure that is all you ever use.

the tranny i have heard is good to about 500-550hp. the clutch is a dual mass flywheel. that is mazda and a lot of other manufacture's way to stop the premature tranny problems from harsh engagement. that is way your clutch pedal never really catches in the same place twice. so if you use a new clutch make sure to get a solid mass flywheel. i have always used ACT. but i would stick with a large clutch manufacture like them or clutchmasters. competition clutch was the head tech from clutchmasters and they are making a great name for themselves. i like 6 puck sprung discs because they are smooth engagement and they hold. the more pucks the longer the life and visa versa.

i believe the toothpicks (aka drive axles) are usually good for <400hp. if you take off with slicks or anything like that you need to preload the axles by holding the brake pedal or ebrake while slipping the clutch and putting a load on the hubs and axles before dropping (i mean harshly slipping) the clutch.

i use stock remanufactured axles from advanced auto parts on my vw that i drag race and it has 410whp with 26x8.5x15 MT dragslicks.

[jaydubz]

i have had a lot of owners use royal purple or redline. i also like amsoil ($$$). any synthetic will work. just make sure if you use synthetic make sure that is all you ever use.

the tranny i have heard is good to about 500-550hp. the clutch is a dual mass flywheel. that is mazda and a lot of other manufacture's way to stop the premature tranny problems from harsh engagement. that is way your clutch pedal never really catches in the same place twice. so if you use a new clutch make sure to get a solid mass flywheel. i have always used ACT. but i would stick with a large clutch manufacture like them or clutchmasters. competition clutch was the head tech from clutchmasters and they are making a great name for themselves. i like 6 puck sprung discs because they are smooth engagement and they hold. the more pucks the longer the life and visa versa.

i believe the toothpicks (aka drive axles) are usually good for <400hp. if you take off with slicks or anything like that you need to preload the axles by holding the brake pedal or ebrake while slipping the clutch and putting a load on the hubs and axles before dropping (i mean harshly slipping) the clutch.

i use stock remanufactured axles from advanced auto parts on my vw that i drag race and it has 410whp with 26x8.5x15 MT dragslicks.

(lol) Careful you may get your warranty voided!

[ericrapp]

i have had a lot of owners use royal purple or redline. i also like amsoil ($$$). any synthetic will work. just make sure if you use synthetic make sure that is all you ever use.

the tranny i have heard is good to about 500-550hp. the clutch is a dual mass flywheel. that is mazda and a lot of other manufacture's way to stop the premature tranny problems from harsh engagement. that is way your clutch pedal never really catches in the same place twice. so if you use a new clutch make sure to get a solid mass flywheel. i have always used ACT. but i would stick with a large clutch manufacture like them or clutchmasters. competition clutch was the head tech from clutchmasters and they are making a great name for themselves. i like 6 puck sprung discs because they are smooth engagement and they hold. the more pucks the longer the life and visa versa.

i believe the toothpicks (aka drive axles) are usually good for <400hp. if you take off with slicks or anything like that you need to preload the axles by holding the brake pedal or ebrake while slipping the clutch and putting a load on the hubs and axles before dropping (i mean harshly slipping) the clutch.

i use stock remanufactured axles from advanced auto parts on my vw that i drag race and it has 410whp with 26x8.5x15 MT dragslicks.
Thanks for the info !

[speedtec]

Thanks for the info !

you are welcome.

jaydubz, you are simply too much...

[jaydubz]

you are welcome.

jaydubz, you are simply too much...

Why thank Speedtool!

[benben01]

Has anyone tried using Militec-1 on their motor and trans? (www.militec-1.com) I added some to the motor and trans yesterday with the stock fluids and shifting is much improved and the engine is defintely revving more smoothly. The entire drivetrain seems run a bit quieter and smoother. Keep in mind, my MS3 only has 900 miles on thus far.

[ericrapp]

Has anyone tried using Militec-1 on their motor and trans? (www.militec-1.com) I added some to the motor and trans yesterday with the stock fluids and shifting is much improved and the engine is defintely revving more smoothly. The entire drivetrain seems run a bit quieter and smoother. Keep in mind, my MS3 only has 900 miles on thus far.
Never heard of. interesting though. At your oil change it would be cool to get an oil analysis. Why did you choose this product, experience?

[Super Unique]

HAHAHAHA.... i did work there. i currently work in nyc. believe what you want guys. i also own a car performance and accessory shop in NJ. if you need parts cheap let me know...

i was not there when darksun280 broke his car. i have had several fast cars, from drag racing, drifting, SCCA, etc. so i can simpathize with ALL of you. i currently have a '07 Tundra with a STS rear mount T4 turbo. and my warrenty is void on powertrain thanks to my local toyota dealer. if you modify a car and it breaks then you have to assume the dealer or manufacture will void your warrenty. everyone has had a friend that had something go wrong.

a friend of mine works at ray catena porsche and a carrea GT comes in with blown clutch and a coil misfire. they didnt warrenty a $125K car because it only had 15K miles and a burnt clutch.

say what you want about me. just like i have said, "you got to pay to play".
You know, sometimes clutches are defective. Early failures not related to driving technique do occur from time to time. Now if it came in with bald tires and drops of burnt rubber stuck all over the wheel wells I could understand the denial. Voiding a warranty due to clutch failure @ 15k without further mitigating circumstances is a bit extreme in my eyes.

[Colleptic]

Wow! I never heard of a front engine mount for the Speed3. I want to hear more about this before I buy it however.

I have been searching around for something like this. I am not sure who these people are though, so more investigation is required. I was looking for a top mount too...

[cbspeed3]

anyone use rp syncro max in their tranny

[benben01]

Never heard of. interesting though. At your oil change it would be cool to get an oil analysis. Why did you choose this product, experience?

Oh yeah.. I have used this product since the mid 90s. Had it in every car and motorcycle I've owned. It's not snake oil. Only problem is that it's hard to find at retail stores.

[ericrapp]

anyone use rp syncro max in their tranny

I just made a commitment to redline. and I will tell you i thought about the purple all along. I have had great results from the motor oil, rp. Just opinion. But the forum swayed me. Is that the specific Royal upgrade for our car?

[ericrapp]

Oh yeah.. I have used this product since the mid 90s. Had it in every car and motorcycle I've owned. It's not snake oil. Only problem is that it's hard to find at retail stores.

How the heck did you come across this or is the answer in the product. I have some military buddys who served in transport. What motorized stuff have you added this to?

[MS3077]

I have been searching around for something like this. I am not sure who these people are though, so more investigation is required. I was looking for a top mount too...

Dear God in heaven! Your avator is freakin hott!! (naughty)

[benben01]

How the heck did you come across this or is the answer in the product. I have some military buddys who served in transport. What motorized stuff have you added this to?

When I was a young lad, this retired Naval Captn who was a neighbor at the time turned me on to this product. So far, I have used it in my cars (P/S, trans, engine, and diff), bike, guns (no jams), lawn mower, and don't laugh, my T-Maxx R/C Nitro Truck.

[ericrapp]

I would never laugh at those things they are insane. I would like to read up on this stuff some more, any suggestions. A little risque for me at this point.

[benben01]

I would never laugh at those things they are insane. I would like to read up on this stuff some more, any suggestions. A little risque for me at this point.

It's good stuff.. I know their website looks like crap (www.militec-1.com) but it does have a lot of useful info. FYI, after treating my engine and trans, I have been averaging 24-25 MPG in my last 2 tanks of gas with 50/50 city and hwy driving.

[MS3077]

It's good stuff.. I know their website looks like crap (www.militec-1.com) but it does have a lot of useful info. FYI, after treating my engine and trans, I have been averaging 24-25 MPG in my last 2 tanks of gas with 50/50 city and hwy driving.


Is that "actual" or "trip computer" mileage?

[benben01]

the good old fashion way..... # of gallons/# miles calculated on an abacus. keep in mind I am not a lead foot driver. for comparison, in my 08 2.3 Mazda 3 5spd, I was averaging 27-28 with militec-1. same commute, same driving style. the improvement is not huge by any means, but an extra mile or 2 per gallon tells me that this product works especially on a new engine with very low miles.

[ericrapp]

the good old fashion way..... # of gallons/# miles calculated on an abacus. keep in mind I am not a lead foot driver. for comparison, in my 08 2.3 Mazda 3 5spd, I was averaging 27-28 with militec-1. same commute, same driving style. the improvement is not huge by any means, but an extra mile or 2 per gallon tells me that this product works especially on a new engine with very low miles.
I have Tbe,Cai, 3.5 top mount and Royal in motor. Did oil and exhaust at the same time. 26.1 off computer. has been rising steady but I think thats about as good as I will get with my driving. I will look harder at the site Thanks

[cabreracoqui]

I have a 2008 Speed 3 and my shifter shakes when in 1st gear. all other gears are fine. Has anyone had this problem.

[joeylow]

i blew up 2nd gear in my 2008 speed3 car had just over 10xxx on it

[Texaco]

I have a 2008 Speed 3 and my shifter shakes when in 1st gear. all other gears are fine. Has anyone had this problem.


On ocassion I feel this as well. I think it is the ECU modulating the boost in first and second gear. Nothing wrong with the tranny, just that you feel the engine being held back.

[gr3y]

I was just taking a look at the number of people viewing at the Drive Train and Tranny section of the speed3 forums. I recently traded in my MKV GTI because I wanted more power and so far I am wondering if I did the right thing. A day after purchasing the vehicle I noticed my clutch squeeking and when the car is cold it feels like there is a slight grind in the gears, is this normal? I have had a mazda 6 lemoned by Mazda before due to a bad tranny in the 6 and bad brakes.

What do you guys think? I am looking for some objective answers. The dealer told me that the car needed a few more miles on it to wear down?!?!? Does that sound legit?

mm.. I've grinded gears a total of one time w/ this car. And I was double clutch down shifting... Overall, shifting seems crisp, easy, and reliable (after installing TWM shifter bushings) even if I pull out on the clutch a little early. My first gear is a little weird/hard to get in sometimes, but it's nothing I can't handle. Transmission seems pretty solid to me. It does make noise, but that's nothing out of the ordinary.. if you think something is wrong with yours, go to the dealer.