Manual Trans Oil/Fluid
#1
My daily has a bit of a crunch while shifting, so I was curious what manual trans oil you guys have used for street cars and how it has performed. Special attention to anthing that has made an unsmooth trans smooth again.

I usually use Redline MT-90 which is great for racetrack applications, but since this is a street car 99% of the time, Im more concerned with smoothing out the crunch than high temp racing stuff. Redline may be the answer after all, but I want to hear what else works.
SM #55 | 06 Titan | 12 Focus | 06 Exige | 14 CX-5
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#2
I put MT90 in the hatch and it shifts better than it did w/ Honda MTF. I also used it in the S2K, but that gave me more crunchiness and difficult shifting than what was in there (I don't know), but that could have been me not putting enough in... I'll be remedying that soon.

So yeah, I've had mixed results with MT90 on street cars. Honda MTF is a viable option... I was perfectly happy with it.
I Am Mike
4 wheels:  '01 RAV4 (Formerly '93 Civic CX, '01 S2000, '10 GTI, '09 A4 Avant)
2 wheels: '12 Surly Cross-Check Custom | '14 Trek Madone 2.1 105 | '17 Norco Threshold SL Force 1 | '17 Norco Revolver 9.2 FS | '18 BMC Roadmachine 02 Two | '19 Norco Search XR Steel (Formerly '97 Honda VFR750F, '05 Giant TCR 2, '15 WeThePeople Atlas 24, '10 Scott Scale 29er XT, '11 Cervelo R3 Rival, '12 Ridley X-Fire Red)

No longer onyachin.
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#3
Motul Gear 300.
(09-25-2019, 03:18 PM)V1GiLaNtE Wrote: I think you need to see a mental health professional.
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#4
If I run anything other than GM Synchromesh mine becomes hard to shift, even if I just top it off with some other fluid. I think that's b/c of Tremec through as they specifically say to use that fluid.
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#5
Synchromesh is cured every crunchy gearbox I've had. Amsoil's Synchromesh is pure synthetic and you can pick it up at Fairfax Autoparts. Those donkeys may not know what you're talking about but ask them to pull out their catalogs, and they'll get it for you. FFXparts also has a 10% discount on their website.
Two feet.
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#6
i use a Pennzoil synchromesh and MT90 mixture, ive heard good things about the BG Synchroshift as well.
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#7
i'll have a Motul Gear 300 review for you in about 2 weeks
2010 Civic Si
2019 4Runner TRD Off-Road
--------------------------
Past:  03 Xterra SE 4x4  |  05 Impreza 2.5RS  |  99.5 A4 Quattro 1.8T  |  01 Accord EX  |  90 Maxima GXE  |  96 Explorer XLT
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#8
okay, this might sound like a n00b car guy question but i've read so many conflicting things on the internet, i figured i'd bring it up here. all this talk about GM synchromesh... there's a bunch of different versions of this stuff but its all called GM synchromesh? apparently one is really good and all the others are crap? whats the difference between all this stuff and what should i look for or stay away from?

as far as evan's question goes, you're talkin about the 99 miata right? lots of people complain of crunchy gearboxes, lots of people think its as smooth as silk. for me, it usually feels smooth but sometimes (usually in the cold) its miserable. i use redline MTL but was thinkin of switching to something else so i'm gonna keep my eye on this thread. when i had the integra, i used honda MTF and the integra shifter was already pretty smooth. i bought some silkolene from channing when he worked at essex and i was amazed at how awesomely smooth the shifts felt after using that stuff. i was thinking of picking up some more silkolene for the suby when it comes time to change those fluids.
1994 Ford Ranger
2004 Honda S2000
2007 BMW X3
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#9
Maengelito Wrote:apparently one is really good and all the others are crap? whats the difference between all this stuff and what should i look for or stay away from?

The synthetic stuff is good - its about $12/qt.

I used the Motul shizzle in my '99 miata, it made a difference - although with the stupid short shifter and stiff clutch it still sucked so I'm not sure its the best comparison.
(09-25-2019, 03:18 PM)V1GiLaNtE Wrote: I think you need to see a mental health professional.
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#10
Maengelito Wrote:okay, this might sound like a n00b car guy question but i've read so many conflicting things on the internet, i figured i'd bring it up here. all this talk about GM synchromesh... there's a bunch of different versions of this stuff but its all called GM synchromesh? apparently one is really good and all the others are crap? whats the difference between all this stuff and what should i look for or stay away from?

Walk into a GM Parts department, the kind you usually find around the GM Dealer lots, ask for Synchromesh, give them ~$11/qt for it and you will have the 'real' thing. There are 1-2 alternatives you can use that are suppose to be just as good, but they cost just about the same and Advance/zone never has them in stock. I usually buy 10 at a time.
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#11
okay, aside from the cost, what differentiates it from the other synchromeshes? why is this better in some cases than redline or motul?
1994 Ford Ranger
2004 Honda S2000
2007 BMW X3
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#12
notchy transmissions and the fluid I used that made them better:

Fiero Getrag: GM synchromesh
E36: Redline MTL
E30: both Redline MTL and Silkolene syntran

OTOH, Jess' Accord hated the Silkolene, so it's not for everyone, that's for sure.
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a van is a good guy with a van
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#13
Maengelito Wrote:okay, aside from the cost, what differentiates it from the other synchromeshes? why is this better in some cases than redline or motul?

The stuff that actually says Synchromesh is made to GM's specs. GM synchromesh is synthetic and is made by Pennzoil. I've heard some folks claim that the stuff in Pennz box is petro based but can't confirm. I buy Amsoil cause it's cheaper and they have a great rep so why not.

Synchromesh is a 70-80 weight oil so if your manufacturer specifies a 75-90, maybe you shouldn't run 100% synchromesh. Pennz says that synchro doesn't have some sort of chemical that protects yellow metals from corrosion but I don't know how much of a concern that is if you drive the car a lot.

I personally use 1 quart of Synchro and 3 quarts of synth 75-90 in mine.
Two feet.
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#14
From my brief research about synchromesh, there are 2 varieties. The regular variety which is a plain jane 30wt based oil (like honda mtl)
the "good" stuff is the GM Synchromesh Friction Modified.
(yeah, they do have different part numbers)

I think I may go with Redline MT90 after all since I have a couple quarts in the garage. If that doesnt help much Ill try the GM stuff.
SM #55 | 06 Titan | 12 Focus | 06 Exige | 14 CX-5
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#15
I put MT90 in the SE-R and the shifter felt significantly better after that. Otherwise, I've put Mobil 1 5w30 in other DDs b/c its what I had easy access to and it has done a decent job.
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#16
back from the dead:

i'm getting ready to replace tranny/diff fluid in both my vehicles relatively soon. anyone have any more input other than whats stated already in this thread?

i'd like to hear more about motul stuff as well as any experiences with B&M synchroshift or whatever
1994 Ford Ranger
2004 Honda S2000
2007 BMW X3
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#17
Maengelito Wrote:i'd like to hear more about motul stuff as well as any experiences with B&M synchroshift or whatever

i had motul gear 300 in the audi and the cold shifting was notchier over OEM but hot shifting was much better. also less gear whine. i only had it in the car a short time before i dumped it so i can't give much long term feedback. price was kinda high compared to redline or RP.

i put subaru Extra-S tranny fluid in the RS and it was 100% better than OEM, way beyond expectations. i would put that in your STi, personally.
2010 Civic Si
2019 4Runner TRD Off-Road
--------------------------
Past:  03 Xterra SE 4x4  |  05 Impreza 2.5RS  |  99.5 A4 Quattro 1.8T  |  01 Accord EX  |  90 Maxima GXE  |  96 Explorer XLT
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#18
I put Castroil "Domestic ATF" in the 94' SHO's trans - hasent blown up yet and shifts great when its cold :dunno:
Why do people just post what they are thinking? Without thinking.

2012 Ford Mustang
1995 BMW 540i/A
1990 Eagle Talon TSI AWD
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#19
I would not suggest putting pure syncromesh in your fluid Maeng if thats what your talking about. Ive run it, and also had a bunch of my friends run it, and its alright, but ive found it feels (complete in my own opinion) too thin during the summer compared to the mix im running right now. I suggest motul, royal purple, or any of the redline products (im running a mix of redline products).
2020 Ford Raptor
2009 Z06
1986.5 Porsche 928S
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#20
another for MT90. it's in the Teg.

pleased with the shifting, as i haven't noticed any issues - even on cold days.

while we're on the topic of Transmission Fluid, i was wondering if anyone can recommend a fluid for a 2004 Toyota Corolla? it's for my roommate and i was looking into a good one for her.
'19 Golf R

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