What is the best tranny fluid for the 5 speed SHO? I mostly road race and drag race the car with limited street use. The transmission is healthy (at least for now) and shifts fine, but I want some added protection for a piece of mind. Oh, and it doesn't have a Quaife.
Tranny fluid
- Thread starter sho_dwn
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BlackOnBlackATX
New Member
i think the consensus was to use the redline synthetic or royal purple if you can afford it. but you should check the threads and make your own opinions, but this is what i would do if you plan on racing it.
BlackOnBlackATX
New Member
i just read some more posts and alot of people are plugging the GM synchromesh, so you may want to look into it
sdpatt
Sr. SHO Engr.
The Ford Owner's Manual that came with the Gen I SHOs specified 6.2 pints (3.1 qts) of either Type F ATF or MERCON II (which has been superceded by MERCON III). I have used both of these fluids and also the Redline MTL and Redline D4 ATF. The Redline MTL is a non-option and made the box shift reluctantly. The D4 ATF worked well, but no better than the Type F or MERCON III with a few ounces of the Ford Friction Modifier. The synthetics probably give more protection for their higher cost, but most of my long-lived gearbox's life has been lubricated by Type F.
BlackOnBlackATX
New Member
listen to what sdpatt says. his car is god 
It has the Mercon III in it now. The cost really doesn't matter to me if it does the job. I guess I will keep the Mercon III in it with some Lucas (easier to get then the Ford Friction around here) and leave it at that. Thanks guys.
munkee
Too busy...
Can you put the friction modifier in with the D4 fluid?
shojuan
New Member
Sure. Also to add to what Scott said, MTL works great in the older original design gearboxes with brass blocking rings. D4 worked like complete crap in my '89. Actually what I've got in there now is about 50% D4, 40% MTL, and 10% MT-90 to thicken things up a bit (I didn't have enough MTL to make a 50:50 mix so I just put the MT-90 in).
It's important to keep in mind that early and later MTX gearboxes react in an almost opposite manner to the different gear fluids.
Rick
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