Is the MT82 transmission really that bad in Mustangs?

I’ve been wondering about the MT82 transmission in Mustangs. Is it really as bad as people say? Let me give you a bit of background, I used to own an ‘06 GT with the 5-speed manual, and man, I loved that car. It was my pride and joy when I was younger, and the manual transmission made it even more fun to drive. Now, I’m thinking about getting back into the Mustang game, and I’ve been eyeing the 2017-2019 models. Naturally, I want another manual because nothing beats that feeling, but here’s the thing I’ve been reading a lot of mixed reviews online about the MT82 transmission, and honestly, it’s got me a little nervous.

Has anyone here had any firsthand experience with it? I’m curious to hear if it’s really as problematic as some say, or if it’s just a case of the internet amplifying the bad stories. What’s your take on it? Should I still go for it, or would I be better off playing it safe with an automatic this time around?

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I end up getting locked out of 2nd gear at least once a week. After changing the transmission fluid, things improved, but it’s still an issue. Before the fluid change, it was happening almost every day.

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My transmission ended up with a permanent 2nd gear lockout, it would grind and pop back into neutral every single time. Eventually, I had to pull it and send it to Calimer for a rebuild, and they ended up having to replace three gears. While I was at it, I installed an Exedy Mach 500 clutch and flywheel, and swapped in an MGW shifter. Now, it’s running like a dream. I just need to get through this 1,000-mile break-in period before I can really push it and see how it all performs.

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I’m dealing with that issue right now.

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Yeah, I’ve heard that upgrading to a better clutch and flywheel can solve the problem, but I’d like to be sure before dropping a thousand bucks on it.

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I know exactly what you mean. It’s one thing to hear that a new clutch and flywheel might solve the issue, but it’s a big investment, and I’d want to be completely sure before spending that kind of money. It’s frustrating to think about dropping a grand only to find out it didn’t completely fix the problem. Sometimes, I just wish there was a more straightforward answer when it comes to these things.

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Has anyone suggested any potential fixes for it?

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I had all kinds of strange shifting problems that cleared up after I installed a Blowfish Racing shifter support bracket. The lockouts pretty much disappeared, and the random grinding during the 1-2 shift was gone too. The shifter feels way better now, though it’s probably still not as smooth as a Tremec. Unfortunately, I don’t think they make those new anymore, but you might be able to find some used ones out there.

When it came time to replace my clutch, I considered upgrading the clutch and flywheel too. Hope everything works out for you!

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I’m having the same problem after upgrading my clutch. My clutch pedal feels “sticky,” like it doesn’t want to come back up, and then it’ll suddenly pop back into place.

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Removing the assist spring is supposed to fix that issue. I took mine out, and now the pedal never sticks to the floor.

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Don’t remove the spring without replacing it. Without the spring, the clutch won’t fully disengage, which can cause the throw-out bearing to wear out quickly. I ended up replacing mine three times in just six months.

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Mine came without it, and when I tried to install a new one, I found that the perch was removed as well, so I couldn’t even attach the new spring. :face_exhaling: