Which Ford Mustangs Have TREMEC Transmissions?
Apple pie, Elvis Presley, and a Ford Mustang with a manual transmission. Some things are charmingly, even stereotypically American. Fortunately, Ford has listened to its faithful and minded its origins in continuing to offer the Mustang with a manual. However, for those who are concerned with the reliability of the Getrag MT82 six-speed, pickings are slim. You’ll have to seek out a pony car with a TREMEC transmission.
When it comes to S550 and S650 Ford Mustangs with a TREMEC transmission, your options are limited
The Getrag MT82 six-speed manual transmission is the only manual gearbox you’ll get in a Ford Mustang today. In fact, any manual Mustang since 2011 will have the Getrag unit. That is, with the exception of the most ferocious of S550 and S650 Mustangs.
A few of the performance-oriented Ford Mustangs of the last decade have packed TREMEC units instead of the Getrag MT82.
| Model | TREMEC transmission unit |
|---|---|
| S650 Dark Horse | TR-3160 six-speed manual |
| S550 Mach 1 | TR-3160 six-speed manual |
| S550 Shelby GT500 | TR-9070 seven-speed DCT |
| S550 Shelby GT350 | TR-3160 six-speed manual |
Beyond the manual-equipped performance ‘Stangs and the now-discontinued S550 Shelby GT500, the only factory transmission options are the 10-speed automatic and the MT82 six-speed manual. What’s more, the seventh-generation lineup does include an EcoBoost, albeit without a stick. That’s right; if you want a manual Mustang, you’ll have to opt for a V8-powered model.
Mustang buyers who want the latest and greatest three-pedal pony car will have to opt for the new Dark Horse. Fortunately, the Dark Horse got the hand-me-down treatment from the now-discontinued Mach 1 and Shelby GT350 models, including the notchy, dependable TR-3160 manual.
If you must get a Mustang with a TREMEC transmission, an older model might be your best bet
Prior to 2011, manual Ford Mustangs used the TREMEC TR-3650 five-speed manual transmission as a standard unit. That includes the retro, pre-facelift S197 models. It’s good news for bargain-hunting Mustang fans.
For fanatics looking for a compromise between the most bleeding-edge performance Mustangs and a TREMEC unit, the S197 Shelby GT500 packed the TR-6060 six-speed manual gearbox. Better yet, the 2013 and 2014 GT500s are two of the fastest factory muscle cars ever– even with the manual in place of a DCT.
