you guys that are using syncromesh

[Shoaz]

My tranny had about 90k mi on it when I tried synchromesh. It was awful. I think I put maybe 1-2k mi on it and went back to el-cheapo Mercon-compatible ATF, which got it back to normal.

Minnesho, by your own description you're comparing your tranny operation now to what is was like when you had the watery goo that you described as being in it before. I'm guessing anything would seem better compared to that. Oh, and don't forget my $35.

Both my SHOs have Mobil 1 ATF in them now. No problems, and it's cheaper and much easier to find than synchromesh.

 

[jeanrw2000]

 

[1993MTXSHO]

how can this stuff hurt the syncros and stuff if it has friction modifiers in it. Wouldnt that make everything have less friction? therefore extending the life of the tranny?

 

[Sexymeatball]

how can this stuff hurt the syncros and stuff if it has friction modifiers in it. Wouldnt that make everything have less friction? therefore extending the life of the tranny?

This conjecture was made on a Honda forum....there's your answer right there

 

[93superSHO]

I've had bad results with Amsoil products and I won't touch anything affiliated with Penzoil. GM Synchromesh is a patented synthetic based tranny fluid that is ONLY available at a General Motors dealership. The other two are "knock off's" of this fluid IMO.
If this fluid is so bad why do so many GM trannies that are required to use this fluid last hundreds of thousands of miles? I know of 5 that have well over 200,000 miles and all original internals. That Honda Forum statement makes no sense.

 

[1993MTXSHO]

well i just bought the 3 qts of syncromesh 35 bucks.... I hope its worth it, but im going to change it when I get a chance. Im hoping at some point my car had a drain plug put in, but im thinking not.

 

[mbred0609]

You can't get it at any autoparts store. GM Synchromesh is dealer only.

ive bought it at national auto. reading, pa

 

[focus'N'SHO]

I've had bad results with Amsoil products and I won't touch anything affiliated with Penzoil. GM Synchromesh is a patented synthetic based tranny fluid that is ONLY available at a General Motors dealership. The other two are "knock off's" of this fluid IMO.
If this fluid is so bad why do so many GM trannies that are required to use this fluid last hundreds of thousands of miles? I know of 5 that have well over 200,000 miles and all original internals. That Honda Forum statement makes no sense.

what probs did you have with amsoil? I've been using their synthetic 5w-30 in my focus for 80k miles at least and have had absolutely no probs. And I beat on this car constantly between daily driving, auto-x, and the drags. I also have their synthetic trans fluid in the MTX trans, and its smoother than it used to be.

 

[ViPER1313]

I had this in my tranny for 15k miles - when I took it back out there was some sludge buildup and the fluid was black. It felt good in the summer but would make the car grind 1st and 3rd when the temperature was below 40 degrees. Now using Mobile 1 ATF again.....

 

[Zeegs]

how can this stuff hurt the syncros and stuff if it has friction modifiers in it. Wouldnt that make everything have less friction? therefore extending the life of the tranny?

From what I've read, some fluids in certain transmissions can be too slippery for proper syncro engagement. I have no idea if our MTX-IV is a transmission that shares this character.

My tranny (not sure how many kilometers, I think 380,*** - 400,***), started to grind with 1-2 and 2-3, badly. I put in Redline MTL fluid and started double clutching every shift. 10 thousand K ago I could not shift regularly without grinding, no matter how nice I tried, now that I have double clutched for the past 10 thousand, I've tried shifting regularly every now and then, and I can without grinding (keep in mind this is still doing a slow shift, anything remotly fast still grinds). I think that doing perfect double clutchs (at the expense of my throw out bearing and actuation fork), has helped fix my blocking rings and/or syncro's a little, although I bet if I shifted normal for a couple hundred K it would bring me right back to were I was before.

 

[1993MTXSHO]

I had this in my tranny for 15k miles - when I took it back out there was some sludge buildup and the fluid was black. It felt good in the summer but would make the car grind 1st and 3rd when the temperature was below 40 degrees. Now using Mobile 1 ATF again.....

thats interesting, has anyone else had that problem?

 

[SHOck]

From what I've read, some fluids in certain transmissions can be too slippery for proper syncro engagement.

This is true.

Shift feel is INVERSE to synchro wear! The function of the synchro is to match speed via friction between the synchro's collar and the gear before locking in the gear. The QUICKER a given tranny shifts, the more friction exists between these two parts, albeit spread evenly across the surfaces.

The more "slippery" a fluid, the longer it will take the synchros to match speed.

Before declaring synchromess good for the SHO's tranny, I'd compare the fluid's specifications to Ford's ATF. Ha! I just noticed the mis-type. Honest, that was accidental, I've got no complaints against GM fluids. It's funny enough to leave in, I think. Anyway, synchromesH, by name, appears to be engineered to improve worn synchro operation? At the expense of what other components, would be my first question. There is almost always a trade-off.

Ford uses ATF in the MTX because it meets the specifications for the transmission. Plenty of MTX's have gone plenty of miles on this fluid. Don't see a flaw in this choice of fluids.

 

[yamapowered]

what probs did you have with amsoil? I've been using their synthetic 5w-30 in my focus for 80k miles at least and have had absolutely no probs. And I beat on this car constantly between daily driving, auto-x, and the drags. I also have their synthetic trans fluid in the MTX trans, and its smoother than it used to be.

I have used Amsoil products in my SHO for 6 years now, 5w30 engine oil and 5w30 trans oil MTX with normal results, long life and wear protection.
my car 6 years ago was a POS from the last owner and I had issues with ATF also, but the biggest problem using Amsoil is the job it faces when you pour Amsoil in a abused beaten engine and or transmission, in the MTX the syncros can be burdened with burnt old ATF and cause shifting issues like mine did, I did the first MTX oil change at 70,000 miles and it took a few years for the trans to shift normally, during that time I used and changed from ATF to GM syncromesh and then dumped it out, and started using Amsoil 5w30 syncromesh wich I still use and my trans works smooth and quiet just like it supposed to. now my car has 130,000 miles and gets me around everyday.
the key is to stick with the oil your going to use and follow through to find out if it works for you, I gave other oils a fighting chance and I settled for the oil that lasted the longest without causing shifting issues
I like the 5w30 syncromesh and why change what works better than the Redline, GM syncromesh,Royal Purple DEXIII, that I ran before?
best of all I have 22,000 miles on the 5w30 syncromesh in the MTX now
and it works beautiful, dont get me started on the engine oil

 

[SHOtime2511]

1 for mobil 1syn. here!
both my SHO's have mobil 1syn. and shift awsome!