Gen4 SHO PP recommended fluids thread:

[jgonza5]

Agree Drain & Fill is the way to go.

Right or Wrong, I leave the front tires on the ground, put the back tires on ramps and get about 50% of capacity drained per occurrence.

I believe access to the trans filter required dropping the trans to split the case. There is no pan to easily open for access.

Don't forget the Motorcraft TA24B Thread Sealant when replacing the trans drain plug.

 

[studio460]

Thanks, man! I have a pair of ramps. Only 50% and no trans-pan? Weird. I bought a larger pan with its own drain-plug for my Marauder's transmission that bolted right on. So to change the filter (or is it metal and merely cleaned?), you have drop the tranny? Wow!

Lastly, is the SHO's drain-plug difficult to access? (I have ramps and a two-ton aluminum jack.) Thanks for the tip on the sealant!

 

[J persons]

I didn't see any discussion of changing the fluid in the PTU, which IMO is critical to the longevity of the unit. Use Redline lightweight shock proof lub e and also for the rear diff. These can be difficult to service and you may have difficulty finding someone to do it.

 

[studio460]

Yes, it seems a critical part which would benefit from more frequent changes than the manufacturer recommends. SM105K has a fairly detailed write-up on this in his maintenance thread. He mentions a particular manual-pump for DIY fluid-replacement. Quoting from my earlier post in this thread, he recommends the same fluid as you for the PTU/RDU (I already ordered a couple of bottles; just need to order the pump):

• PTU/RDU: Red Line Lightweight Shockproof gear-oil #58404 [PTU: 0.53L/RDU: 1.0L].

 

[SM105K]

Yes, it seems a critical part which would benefit from more frequent changes than the manufacturer recommends. SM105K has a fairly detailed write-up on this in his maintenance thread. He mentions a particular manual-pump for DIY fluid-replacement. Quoting from my earlier post in this thread, he recommends the same fluid as you for the PTU/RDU (I already ordered a couple of bottles; just need to order the pump):

• PTU/RDU: Red Line Lightweight Shockproof gear-oil #58404 [PTU: 0.53L/RDU: 1.0L].

I also have drilled and tapped my PTU for easy draining. If you have a PP there is a drain plug. You can access it, but if you use it, wrap your downpipes in aluminum foil so the old fluid doesn't get everywhere. Kinda a crappy set up. Fill through the vent on top.

 

[yaycandy]

Thats why i didnt get a pp ptu. Looks easier to just extract it out of the fill hole then it would be to drain and fill from the top. Dont see the need for a cooler on it either with no cats and regular changes. Just gotta remember the pain to remove the ptu for motivation to change its fluid often

 

[SeanDev]

Great! Good to know I'm not crazy (at least on this subject!).

Not to get into the Great Oil Wars of 2023, but a quick Google-search revealed a summary of the Petroleum Quality Institute of America's tests on Mobil 1 and Castrol Edge (both tested specifically for the 5W20 weight of each brand alone), which puts Mobil 1 ahead in every category; e.g. boil-off, VI, etc. [source]. Mobil 1's corporate site makes an argument against competing oils which have higher amounts of high-pressure additives (e.g., Royal Purple).

Assuming any real-world differences among various brands are nominal, I'll probably fill today with Mobil 1 5W30 or Royal Purple 5W30 (whichever I find first) and further research for my next 3,000-mile interval. This oil change is mainly to flush all contaminants from previous owners' extreme-weather driving (i.e., Ohio and Arizona), and an unknown last oil-change date.

Reason some of us go with Castrol is YouTuber ProjectFarm. He runs thorough tests and is not sponsored by anyway, makes the tests fair and unbiased.

 

[SM105K]

Reason some of us go with Castrol is YouTuber ProjectFarm. He runs thorough tests and is not sponsored by anyway, makes the tests fair and unbiased.

Correct, I watch all of his stuff, and Castrol has been great in my car.

 

[luigisho]

Correct, I watch all of his stuff, and Castrol has been great in my car.

Castrol has been great in cars posted on this forum for decades.

 

[SM105K]

Castrol has been great in cars posted on this forum for decades.

Just solidifies my stance with Castrol.

 

[Boochy47]

Ams oil signature series is best oil and filter

 

[SHOdded]

if you want more boutique engine oil, i have found redline (not the new pro series) to do well. basically thicker viscosity is better given a certain oil weight.

also have found driven's oils quite good. but their offerings are limited. fr20 for 5w20 and ls30 for 5w30. fr20 is what i have used in my edge with great results. next up is the ls30.

but without a good oil filter you might as well be burning your money lol. purolator boss still rocks.

 

[J persons]

I just finished draining and filling my SHO transmission, measured the drained fluid and 4.5 Qts came out, it didn't look too bad even after 65K miles. I put 5 qts back in and measured it on the dipstick after cycling it through the gears, and it was right in the middle of the range on the dipstick. I also changed the PTU fluid, I used Redline shock proof 3K miles ago. When it drained, the light blue color had changed to sort of an OD green. No chunks of metal grit or much residue on the drain plug magnet so I guess I'm good.

 

[J persons]

Great! Good to know I'm not crazy (at least on this subject!).

Not to get into the Great Oil Wars of 2023, but a quick Google-search revealed a summary of the Petroleum Quality Institute of America's tests on Mobil 1 and Castrol Edge (both tested specifically for the 5W20 weight of each brand alone), which puts Mobil 1 ahead in every category; e.g. boil-off, VI, etc. [source]. Mobil 1's corporate site makes an argument against competing oils which have higher amounts of high-pressure additives (e.g., Royal Purple).

Assuming any real-world differences among various brands are nominal, I'll probably fill today with Mobil 1 5W30 or Royal Purple 5W30 (whichever I find first) and further research for my next 3,000-mile interval. This oil change is mainly to flush all contaminants from previous owners' extreme-weather driving (i.e., Ohio and Arizona), and an unknown last oil-change date.

Which Mobil 1 5W30 for a SHO?, There's at least 4 different types of Mobil 1 5W30.

 

[Boochy47]

Ams oil 5w30signature series but customer service is trash I hate the customer service

 

[Zpak]

You don’t need customer service with Castrol.

 

[SM105K]

You don’t need customer service with Castrol.

Correct.