N0TDADYS_98

Trying to help clean up this section a little by making a bigger mess.


First answer the poll. Which Transmission Fluid do you feel is best or which do you use?


2nd lets get some good write ups with detailed pictures/list of equipment needed to complete a transmission (manual) fluid change..

Questions

How do I change my fluid?

What Fluid is best? (see poll)

Do the plugs need to be torqed?

How much fluid does my tranmission take?

Is it ok to over fill it?

My Transmission links how do i fix that?

What order do you remove the plugs?

How do you know the car is level?

Sounds pretty elementry to some but i think this could really help out..

rws.1

Always remove the fill plug first.
It is a pain if you drain the fluid and find the fill plug is seized.

I jack both ends of the car and put the jack stands on the same notch front and rear... that's close enough to level for me.

The spec I think says 4 qts but with clingage you will probably need about 3.5 qts, maybe a bit less, but you still need to buy 4.

I'm sure there is a post or tech tip answering the rest of your questions....

follow this link for a lot of opinions and advice...
The 15th post by mqqn has photos....

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...smission+fluid

N0TDADYS_98

Tigershark3

For my '99 I went with the GM recommended fluid - Dex III. Researching, I read that some of the early 6 speed components would not tolorate the synthetics. My 2 cents.

jbauch357

So far this is what I have run and what I think:

OEM (I think) - a bit notchy, but no real problems with noise or effort

Royal Purple Synchrotech- Shifted nice but has some issues with high-RPM shifts

AMSOil ATF - Felt good with very little notchiness and got rid of the high-RPM issues, took some effort getting into 1st and reverse

3 qts Red Line MTL topped off with AmsOil ATF - just put this in tonight and haven't really given the trans or myself time to get used to the fluid. First opinion is that shifting feels good, reduced effort going into 1st and reverse - but it seems to have added a little more noise to my OEM shift **** rattle. This formula came from my tuner, figured it couldn't hurt to give it a try since he runs a trans shop by day and builds 9 second F-Bodies and vettes by night.

Update - Went back to the AmsOil ATF - Shifts felt like they were getting progressively more stickey.

vettenuts

I voted for Amsoil because that is what I am now using, not because I have any information to indicate it is the best. I am intrigued by the Redline MTL, but haven't got the nerve to try it.

Midwest Vette

I am running amsoil, So far so good.

chiefDave

RP syncro mesh here. Never heard of the high RPM shift issues above caused by RP, but I get it sometimes (driver error I thought) but would like to try some Redline... more to follow as my car is due, and this fluid has 20-30 passes on it over 6 months. Good poll
Dave

Tsab

I just changed the oil in my trans and ran it at the track this weekend. I changed out from regular generic DexIII to Red Line. I have to say the regular DexIII shifted a little smoother. I'm probably going to go back to the non synthetic oil shortly.

j99vette

Does anybody have any proven info on the difference in transmissions. Ive read on the forum that 97-00 can't take synthetic but then I read that it can take certain types of synthetic that won't break up the paper blockers. Any insight on this?

hhntr111

I ran Mobil I for about two years, and I thought the shift effort was down. Last week, I had all the fluids on my '04, 26,000 miles, changed, back to stock. Shift seems a little notchier, noise about the same, harder to get into first when stopped.

Ikester

Amsoil ATF..3.4qts, tranny shifts excellent

ericdwong

Using mobile 1 synth ATF right now. Its sometimes hard to get into 1st at a stop without double clutching it or trying twice.

Switched from RP Synchromax. I'd like to try Red Line.

chiefDave

So how do you like fresh Mobil 1 compared to RP? My jump to RP gave me a huge increase in smoothness IMO. My old oil was Mobil1 but had some hard miles on it. I would like ot hear your experiances and opinions please
Thanks!!!
Dave

Wicked Weasel

based on DTE road race recommendation I started to use Redline MTL for the tranny and redline 75w/140 for the diff.

2KFRC5

Can Dexron VI be used in the manuals, or is it only for the autos?



Found this............. DEXRON VI

C66 Racing

I obviously use the AMSOIL ATF. Been using it on the track for several seasons now without any failures.

Simple summary of changing (good pics above):
- jack the car up and ensure it is fairly level. I use Rhino Ramps.
- open the fill plug on the driver's side about half way forward and up (I open this first to ensure I can get it open before draining the fluid)
- open drain plug on passenger side bottom rear corner and drain fluid
- replace drain plug and torque to 20 ft-lbs
- pump in Dexron III fluid until it comes out fill plug hole (which prevents overfill). Should take about 3.7 quarts. I use one of these:
AMSOIL Hand Pump
- replace fill plug and torque to 20 ft-lbs
- lower car and test, checking for leaks.

vettenuts

I probably should have noted that I am running Amsoil and it shifts fine, never had any issues. Amsoil went in after about 1,000 miles on the car.

Dan_the_C5_Man

I just picked up 4 quarts of MTL while visiting my local Summit Racing MEGA warehouse..

I've completed a fair amount of research on this as well, and my determination is "if you have paper blocking rings and you are running Redline D4 ATF (or ANY synthetic ATF for that matter), the "damage" is done, might as well go for the MTL with superior gear protection (especially for the track).

I've had Redline D4 ATF in the trans since puchasing the car, approx. 20K miles ago, nothing but positive results for both HP street driving and track duties.

I think GM recommended the ATF fluid based on a: fuel economy / efficiencies, and b: it's free-flowing properties in extreme cold weather (realizing that more C5's are sold to 50+ year old men and women than 18 year old kids that won't complain if the shifting is notchy when it's 30 degrees outside).

I intend to go forward with confidence; I'll report my findings after I've had a chance to live with the MTL for a while. It's good time to try this, it's 38 degrees outside right now.

vettenuts

Acutally, the only negative I have found to date on the MTL was harder cold shifting. I think my only question is internal compatibility and there doesn't seem to be any clear technical answer on this one.