C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Recommended Gear Oil

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 24, 2005 | 03:57 PM
  #1  
1974slcvette's Avatar
1974slcvette
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
Default Recommended Gear Oil

I need to replace both tranny and differential oil, and need some recommendations. I have the M-21 tranny. What type of gear oil should I use, brand and weight? Does the Chevy dealership still sell the posi additive?

Thanks, Mark
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2005 | 04:00 PM
  #2  
73'Vette's Avatar
73'Vette
Racer
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Haslet,Texas
Default

Does the Chevy dealership still sell the posi additive?
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2005 | 04:20 PM
  #3  
GTR1999's Avatar
GTR1999
Tech Contributor
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,130
Likes: 3,938
From: Connecticut, USA
Default

The tranny and rear end use 90WT gear oil. Any Name brand will do or you can use the GM stuff. The additive should be the GM stuff though and is available from any GM dealership #1052358 about $7.00 a bottle.

Gary
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2005 | 04:29 PM
  #4  
kdf1986's Avatar
kdf1986
Safety Car
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Default

For the differential I think it is 85W and the rating may be GL-5. And all the bulletins say to use 4oz. of the special anti slip differential lubricant.

Any ideas on how much oil the differential holds?

kdf
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2005 | 04:32 PM
  #5  
GTR1999's Avatar
GTR1999
Tech Contributor
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,130
Likes: 3,938
From: Connecticut, USA
Default

3.75 pints

Gary
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2005 | 04:40 PM
  #6  
PRNDL's Avatar
PRNDL
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Default

I bought the GM differential lube along with the GM limited slip (aka posi) additive. It actually has a part# and I figured, why not use the GM stuff.

For the M20 trans I used a name brand gear oil - I can't even remember which. I tried synthetic, but I have since read in articles written by supposed experts that you are not supposed to use synthetic in an M20 trans that was built before the advent of synthetic oils. I can't remember the logical reason, but that is the recommendation FWIW.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2005 | 04:56 PM
  #7  
BB wowbagger's Avatar
BB wowbagger
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 1
From: Sodertalje/Sweden
Default

I use a 85-140 oil in my diff and 80-90 in the tranny..
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2005 | 11:06 AM
  #8  
kdf1986's Avatar
kdf1986
Safety Car
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Default

What is the benefit of the 85-140W oil over the 75-90W oil for the differential?

kdf
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Mar 25, 2005 | 11:22 AM
  #9  
pws69's Avatar
pws69
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Default

Originally Posted by 1974slcvette
I need to replace both tranny and differential oil, and need some recommendations. I have the M-21 tranny. What type of gear oil should I use, brand and weight? Does the Chevy dealership still sell the posi additive?

Thanks, Mark
Been running Mobil 1 in both for 2 years. Made a big difference in shifting and reducing gear noise. No leaks at all. I wouldn't go back...

Chevy does have the GM Posi lube - I have also purchased it (GM) at NAPA and CAP parts stores but apparently they don't all carry it.
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2005 | 05:26 PM
  #10  
1974slcvette's Avatar
1974slcvette
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
Default Recommended Gear Oil

Thanks for the help to all who posted!!!!

Mark
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2005 | 05:31 PM
  #11  
74 vert's Avatar
74 vert
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 8
From: Where are the Smoky Mountain Cruisers? Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Default

Originally Posted by PRNDL
I bought the GM differential lube along with the GM limited slip (aka posi) additive. It actually has a part# and I figured, why not use the GM stuff.

For the M20 trans I used a name brand gear oil - I can't even remember which. I tried synthetic, but I have since read in articles written by supposed experts that you are not supposed to use synthetic in an M20 trans that was built before the advent of synthetic oils. I can't remember the logical reason, but that is the recommendation FWIW.
I put Mobile synthetic in my M20 a couple of years ago.
Penzoil 90W with GM additive in my differential.

No problems with either to date.
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2005 | 05:35 PM
  #12  
Paul @ Thunder's Avatar
Paul @ Thunder
Pro
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge LA
Default

I use Redline 75W90NS in my M21.


.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Recommended Gear Oil





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:53 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-1
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE