Gear oil in MTX, I'm thinking no.

[jayro]

So I got my trans shifting correctly agian. Prior to my WaveTrac install I had used Valvoline MaxLife with good success, so that's what I kept running. When I was trying to fix my shifting issue I tried a number of different fluids and noticed that the different fluids effected the way my WaveTrac felt under aggressive driving conditions. On the WaveTrac website it (of course) recommends the factory fill and says to stay away from friction modifiers. I emailed WaveTrac since Valvoline says that its MaxLife and Dec/Mec has friction modifiers in it. They gave me the generic "Factory Fill" answer, but also said that gear oil will out perform ATF in 99% of MTX's, so that I should look into the possibility of using a gear oil instead. So I am thinking "No", but I wanted your input and was wondering if anyone had done this?

Also, I am kinda ****** that I asked a specific question of the WaveTrac people and instead of answering it, they just basically quoted what I already read on thier web site......okay vent over!

 

[calvin0325]

I would say no also.....it doesn't flow as easily as the ATF does. I saw people do this while at ford and then complain when they junked the transmission. The later model transmissions for the most part all use ATF.

 

[zach44102]

Use ATF. That is all.

 

[dohcsable]

want some amsoil synchromesh to try out? I've used it on the 92 for 5 years......and I've only owned it since dec......:laugh_ti:

 

[RonPorter]

Well, the WaveTrac obviously changes the equation for you, but otherwise, each tranny is different. I got a later-model ('91, supposedly "paper" synchros) used tranny once, and after trying a few different fluids, it worked best on the cheapie gear oil.

 

[yamahaSHO]

Unless you've back-dated to the non-lined blocking rings, you really don't have a choice but to run ATF.

I had mine swapped out for non-lined rings so I could run different types of fluid. The one I'm looking to run this year is a cocktail of 95% Shock Proof. My drive was trying to make my origina gear set last longer now that I'm making more power and live at lower altitude where I'm actually making the power.

 

[SHOZ123]

Red Line makes a Super Lightwight syncromesh. It has the viscosity similar to ATX fluid (10w).

 

[jayro]

want some amsoil synchromesh to try out? I've used it on the 92 for 5 years......and I've only owned it since dec......:laugh_ti:

Only problem is I'm pretty sure there are alot of friction modifiers in it. They are to be avoided with the WaveTrac. I know GM Synchomesh can be had with or without the modifiers. I may try it, but its like $13 a quart at the dealer.

 

[jayro]

Unless you've back-dated to the non-lined blocking rings, you really don't have a choice but to run ATF.

I had mine swapped out for non-lined rings so I could run different types of fluid. The one I'm looking to run this year is a cocktail of 95% Shock Proof. My drive was trying to make my origina gear set last longer now that I'm making more power and live at lower altitude where I'm actually making the power.

Mine has the fiber lined blocking rings.

 

[dohcsable]

Only problem is I'm pretty sure there are alot of friction modifiers in it. They are to be avoided with the WaveTrac. I know GM Synchomesh can be had with or without the modifiers. I may try it, but its like $13 a quart at the dealer.

Sounds to me like the wavetrac guys are just as brilliant as gm folk claiming a supercharger gearbox was "lubed for life". If you wanted to try the amsoil, I can hook you up for about half that $13 figure.

 

[jayro]

Sounds to me like the wavetrac guys are just as brilliant as gm folk claiming a supercharger gearbox was "lubed for life". If you wanted to try the amsoil, I can hook you up for about half that $13 figure.

Let me research it a little and let you know.

 

[SHOVNST]

I can't believe Wavetrac told you that, scary.....

 

[SHOtime2511]

FYI Pennzoil synchromesh = GM synchromesh at a much lower price.

 

[91PDXmocha]

Unless you've back-dated to the non-lined blocking rings, you really don't have a choice but to run ATF.

I had mine swapped out for non-lined rings so I could run different types of fluid. The one I'm looking to run this year is a cocktail of 95% Shock Proof. My drive was trying to make my origina gear set last longer now that I'm making more power and live at lower altitude where I'm actually making the power.

I just filled my mtx with mostly shockproof today but haven't driven the car on it yet. I hadn't heard of anyone else running it and posting results. I think Mike at ShoSource said they have ran it at track days but can't remember for sure. How long have you been using it ?

 

[AREA 91]

FYI Pennzoil synchromesh = GM synchromesh at a much lower price.

FYI: There are 2 different types of GM Syncromesh.

 

[jayro]

FYI: There are 2 different types of GM Syncromesh.

Yes. At the dealership they had it with and without friction modifiers. While researching, I saw that you recommended Syncromesh for your ATF fluid. With your Quaife, which one are you running?

 

[shomethe$$$]

Great question OP. I'm not favoring gear oil either, when the car is cold its hard to shift. I think most people put it in to cover up bigger problems. I've done that.

Call me out on this but I'm against ATF, stock or non-stock MT, ATF turns dark quicker between changes, so I can only assume that it runs hotter. As for friction modifiers, far as I know, ATF's contain friction modifiers but how much, I don't know, I'm assuming more than MTF's...I think all MTF's contain some friction modifiers even though they claim not to, but less is better and then adding a friction modifiers to reduce the diff chatter. Another reason I'm against ATF, open diff or torsen diff, if ATF contains friction modifiers, then the blocking ring would slip more causing missed shifts especially at high rpm.

Thumbs down to synthetic or semi-synthetic which is basically all that syncromesh stuff or Shockproof, far as I know, it coats the friction surface of the diff over the long run which will make it slip more, not what you want.

I'm running Honda MTF, its not synthetic, no friction modifiers and is safe on brass. I do notice wheel scrub on sharp turns but I think that's more of an alignment issue rather than an oil issue. I would like to try Torco MTF and RTF on the new trans I'm building.

 

[jayro]

Great question OP. I'm not favoring gear oil either, when the car is cold its hard to shift. I think most people put it in to cover up bigger problems. I've done that.

Call me out on this but I'm against ATF, stock or non-stock MT, ATF turns dark quicker between changes, so I can only assume that it runs hotter. As for friction modifiers, far as I know, ATF's contain friction modifiers but how much, I don't know, I'm assuming more than MTF's...I think all MTF's contain some friction modifiers even though they claim not to, but less is better and then adding a friction modifiers to reduce the diff chatter. Another reason I'm against ATF, open diff or torsen diff, if ATF contains friction modifiers, then the blocking ring would slip more causing missed shifts especially at high rpm.

Thumbs down to synthetic or semi-synthetic which is basically all that syncromesh stuff or Shockproof, far as I know, it coats the friction surface of the diff over the long run which will make it slip more, not what you want.

I'm running Honda MTF, its not synthetic, no friction modifiers and is safe on brass. I do notice wheel scrub on sharp turns but I think that's more of an alignment issue rather than an oil issue. I would like to try Torco MTF and RTF on the new trans I'm building.

I'll have to look at the different weight's on the MTF's. Right now I'm gathering info to see what I want to try. I have heard the same as you when it comes to gear oil. It does not operate well at colder temps...possibly due to how thick it is when cold.

 

[AREA 91]

Yes. At the dealership they had it with and without friction modifiers. While researching, I saw that you recommended Syncromesh for your ATF fluid. With your Quaife, which one are you running?

Neither.

I am running the cheapest atf I can buy in the green car.

My daily driver with a slight grind into third liked the syncromesh.

 

[jelloslug]

My '90 with a completely rebuilt transaxle and a Quaife like synchromesh. It was almost undriveable with Mobil 1 synthetic ATF