Redline...it sucks...what's better?

[bmcreider]

Ok so ya the dude, first owner, I bought this car from swears by Redline MTL. Personally, every other SHO I've ever had before this, from the bean, to the 89, to my old pos 91...shifts 5x easier than this one. From a stop it's a PITA to get into 1st at times, well most of the time....going into second always requires an extra push to get fully in, can be a slight PITA, and fourth....reverse half the time (even after shifting to 1st) can be a real PITA.

Car / Tranny has 180k on it and per this Excel file of maintenance it got "D4 ATF Redline" at 134,000 miles.

So should I get Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF? Anything else reccomended, I want SMOOTH shifts...smoooth....not rough.

BTW: It's got a SHOShop Clutch/PP/TOB installed at 126k in there, clutch isn't high effort, no noises or anything, no slippage etc so I don't think this problem relates to a clutch issue.

 

[keat91]

I personally found that royal purple is one of the best I don’t like redline either and when I went to royal purple with syncromax when I changed my clutch 10x better than any other fluid just my thoughts though and I have tried mobile I prefer Royal purple in everything if you can but it is like 10 to 15 per quart but it works

 

[bmcreider]

Hmmm...what about Penzoil Syncromesh, 3 quarts of that, and just that?

 

[NJSHO]

I have Mobile 1 ATF and it works great. I hear GM syncromesh is also good.

 

[SHO#7]

I like Mobil one synthetic. I also like syncromesh.

I also am having your problems. And it is my TOB. Not the fluid in my transmission.

My repair is on the way, Clutchmasters stage one, ShoShop 8lb flywheel, renforced front and rear mounts, alum subframe bushings, and a Bizzy renforced transmission.

And my clutch only has 14k. The TOB is junk.

Mike

 

[AREA 91]

I have tried a few different fluids in my many SHO's, and I personelly like the GM Syncromesh the best.

 

[fricker66]

I agree with the SHO#7 above. Sounds more like a TOB issue than fluid. I experienced all the same symptoms prior to the clutch job at 99k. It's certainly cheaper to try and change the fluid in hopes that is the cure. FWIW, I've been happy with the Mobil 1 fluid that has been in there for the past 20k.

 

[jedhead]

I use redline D4 without problems since I installed the Quaife 7 years ago. When I did experience difficultly shifting the problem was with the throw out bearing.

Bob

 

[Shoaz]

Redline is good stuff, some of the best, but there are several different kinds and the SHO MTXs are sensitive to which type depending on whether you have solid brass blocking rings or paper-lined. It may just need fresh fluid in which case you'll see an improvement regardless of what you put in.

FWIW, I'm one of the synchromesh haters and have been using Mobil 1 ATF lately. It's one of the least expensive of the synthetic blends, it's easy to find, and it works quite well.

It may be hard to shift for some reason other than the tranny fluid. You may have a clutch or pressure plate problem.

 

[bmcreider]

I got some Penzoil syncromesh and mixed that in 2 quarts with one quart of the Redline...

Shifts a **** of a lot smoother now, drove it about 50 miles, still a **** of a lot smoother. It's nearly perfect.

 

[LOUDSHO92]

Sounds like you may have broken a strap.

 

[TYSHO]

I myself do not like synchromesh.

1. It just hides problems already there.
2. It's too damn thick and just adds to the lack of lubrication to the differential and increases the chance for a differential failure.