[Mad_Morgan]

Hey, I recently bought a 97 cobra convertible-stock. I know the stock shifter isn't very good, but when I'm really on it and shifting hard into second, it grinds a tiny bit. Regular shifting and putting it into second at idle is fine, is it just the shifter? As soon as I get some extra cash I'm going to buy a pro 5.0, so all I need to know is if it's normal for a little grind when shifting hard and fast. Thanks guys.

[FunkyBoss]

It's normal for the T45 lol! It could be your syncro's, so don't be disappointed when the short-throw doesn't help.

[Lopez16]

Hey I got a 1998 Cobra and I installed a Steeda Tri-Ax short shifter, supposedly it's the shortest shifter out in the market. I like it and the shifts are shorter and quicker. It's also easy to install, basic tools and 1 hour and you are done, trust me i installed mine.

[Toycobra97]

My 97 cobra does the same exact thing. When I shift easy it goes into 2nd easy, but if I shift like I'm racing it grinds. I thought the guy that had the car before me didn't know how to drive it and messed the transmission up. The car only has 40,000 miles on it. Would the steeda Tri-ax short shifter help the problem any or is it gonna grind no matter what?

[cobraPC]

My 99 does the same thing with the Steeda shifter. It seems like my clutch doesn't fully release until the pedal is nearly all the way to the floor. I am hoping it's just cable stretch from the heavy-duty pressure plate, but the way it’s sounding everybody’s does the 2nd gear crunch.

[Toycobra97]

thanks for the help, maybe a t-56 would clear this problem up. lol. I'm glad to know this is a common problem. The clutch system is kinda weird to me on a cobra anyways, even the way you adjust the clutch is weird.

[97svt]

My 97 Cobra did that when I bought it, used, and I took it into the dealer for warranty, they sat on it for a month, said all T-45s did that, and would not touch it until I got in touch with Ford headquarters in Detroit for help. They finally replaced the synchros and found the shift fork was bent (the Ford shifter is junk). I now have a Steeda Tri-Ax and no noise unless the car sits for several months without being driven, then it needs to be warmed up and I have to run throught the gears a few times. I saw a thread somewhere that said the tips of the synchros need to be ground into a point to stop the noise and make better shifting.

[AUSTINSCOBRA]

I had the same problem with my 96 Cobra w/ pro 5.0 & adjustable clutch quadrant.

Replace it with a Tremec TKO = problem solve

[CobraBoy]

thats kinda strange... my tranny has 70 k miles on it and it has never done that once...

[pkstanger]