Anyone Use Redline Lubes??
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Anyone Use Redline Lubes??
I am new to the forum and a new Vette owner, used to race a 400HP WRX in ProSolo and SoloII, but ran across a good deal on a 91' Coupe w/Z51 pack and ZF-6speed. I had really good luck with Redline in my WRX, so I purchased $115 worth of rear diff lube the MT-90 75/90W, 10w-30 engine oil and the D4 ATF for the 6speed case, what is most Vette owners opinion on these Redline products. Also there is no rear diff drain plug, so i was going to syphon out the old fluid instead of taking the back half of the diff off. thanks to all- Brian
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Oakland CA
I really like Redline oils because they are the only polyol ester based engine oil available. You will probly get some grief over the use of the atf in the ZF. My car is an auto so I have no input on the transmission lube. Supposedly the 10w-60 Castrol synth used in the BMW M series cars is great in the ZF. That is according to some ZF specialist.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 824
Likes: 30
From: San Pablo California
Everyone that I know who uses Red Line Oil swears by it.
I have used their "Water Wetter" in my radiator and it dropped the temps 10 degrees in my 87 C4 making summer time driving in the congested San Francisco Bay Area traffic much more tolerable.
I have used their "Water Wetter" in my radiator and it dropped the temps 10 degrees in my 87 C4 making summer time driving in the congested San Francisco Bay Area traffic much more tolerable.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 18
From: St. Peters MO
Rear Diff. fluid
I use the "Redline" differential fluid in my D36 rear end, I use the "Red" heavyweight / Shockproof gear oil.
Many drag racers use the "lightweight" blue gear oil in the differentials.
Is it better than traditional gear oil? I don't know. I've blown up DANA 36 rear ends with both oils in place. BUT,..........it did last longer with the Redline in place (5 years of hard autocrossing on sticky tires).
I agree on the drain plug issue, very hard to get it all out with a "suction gun" and you feel like you are wasting your time. I wish GM had installed a drain plug in the differentials!!
Many drag racers use the "lightweight" blue gear oil in the differentials.
Is it better than traditional gear oil? I don't know. I've blown up DANA 36 rear ends with both oils in place. BUT,..........it did last longer with the Redline in place (5 years of hard autocrossing on sticky tires).
I agree on the drain plug issue, very hard to get it all out with a "suction gun" and you feel like you are wasting your time. I wish GM had installed a drain plug in the differentials!!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
I have been beating the crap out of my car on the track for years using Redline for everything with no problems yet. They seem to work really well.
Don't forget to flush the power steering and fill it up with Redline PS fluid.
Cheers,
Lawrence
Don't forget to flush the power steering and fill it up with Redline PS fluid.
Cheers,
Lawrence
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
I don't know about their engine oil or their differential, but I wouldn't use it in the trans. It MAY be just fine, but here's the deal. Is redline going to warranty your trans if it screws up?
Given the choice between taking the oil maker's word for it or the trans maker's word for it, I'd go with the trans maker. As such there are only two fluids recommened. One is the GM fluid, the other is the Castrol. I've used GM in my trans, I just put Castrol in my trans this weekend, can't tell any difference.
BTW, the GM is 5w-30, the Castrol is 10w-60. That's a far cry from the thick gunk that is most gear oils.
Given the choice between taking the oil maker's word for it or the trans maker's word for it, I'd go with the trans maker. As such there are only two fluids recommened. One is the GM fluid, the other is the Castrol. I've used GM in my trans, I just put Castrol in my trans this weekend, can't tell any difference.
BTW, the GM is 5w-30, the Castrol is 10w-60. That's a far cry from the thick gunk that is most gear oils.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 568
From: Conroe Texas
i put redline in my zf about 8 years ago, and took out 2nd and 3rd gears right after that. stuck in another zf and used the gm lube and never had a problem since. for my experience with redline and zf, i'll run from it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 9
From: Houston TX
neither the MT90 nor the D4 ATF are the correct lubes for a C4. you should email redline and ask.
the D4 ATF is for applications calling for ATF (like the 5-speed ZF in BMW 3-series), the MT90 for GL4 (too thick for the ZF6, not GL5 so can't be used in the diff).
if you're sold on redline, you'll need MTL or lightweight shockproof in the tranny, and 75w90 or 75w140 GL5/6 for the diff.
-michael
the D4 ATF is for applications calling for ATF (like the 5-speed ZF in BMW 3-series), the MT90 for GL4 (too thick for the ZF6, not GL5 so can't be used in the diff).
if you're sold on redline, you'll need MTL or lightweight shockproof in the tranny, and 75w90 or 75w140 GL5/6 for the diff.
-michael
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Sleazy Rider
i put redline in my zf about 8 years ago, and took out 2nd and 3rd gears right after that. stuck in another zf and used the gm lube and never had a problem since. for my experience with redline and zf, i'll run from it.
I have 65K miles on my '96 including over 5k track miles all with Redline MTL and my zf still shifts as perfect as the day I got it.
Cheers,
Lawrence
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,270
Likes: 118
From: N. Babylon NY
Originally Posted by TrackDayLT4
I have 65K miles on my '96 including over 5k track miles all with Redline MTL and my zf still shifts as perfect as the day I got it.
Cheers,
Lawrence
Cheers,
Lawrence
Steven
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 10,878
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '07
Drain Plug Kit
Originally Posted by NASCAR314
I agree on the drain plug issue, very hard to get it all out with a "suction gun" and you feel like you are wasting your time. I wish GM had installed a drain plug in the differentials!!
Email me offline if you would like me to find the article and the manufacturer of this kit.
I'll be designing a powered suction device in the near-future. I'll upgrade my account and post pics when I get it working.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by williammackean
I read in a Corvete Fever Mag from 2001/2002-ish about a kit that's available for installing a drain plug in differentials. I am considering doing this. It would make flushing it out easier. It might be more trouble than it is worth, though. (Note the indecision.)
Email me offline if you would like me to find the article and the manufacturer of this kit.
I'll be designing a powered suction device in the near-future. I'll upgrade my account and post pics when I get it working.
Email me offline if you would like me to find the article and the manufacturer of this kit.
I'll be designing a powered suction device in the near-future. I'll upgrade my account and post pics when I get it working.
As far as the pics posting goes, set up a free account with photo bucket, then you can post pics no worries.
www.photobucket.com
Upload your pics to your photo bucket account, then copy+paste the IMG line under the picture you wish to post.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: New Carlisle Ohio
running redline MTL in the zf and it has been great (it is the only redline fluid that is right for the zf6), and i have their gear lube in my dana 44 running 4:56 gears and giving them a beating at the track every weekend, it is the only thing i will run.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 10,864
Likes: 198
From: Southern CA
Originally Posted by Nathan Plemons
I don't know about their engine oil or their differential, but I wouldn't use it in the trans. It MAY be just fine, but here's the deal. Is redline going to warranty your trans if it screws up?
Given the choice between taking the oil maker's word for it or the trans maker's word for it, I'd go with the trans maker. As such there are only two fluids recommened. One is the GM fluid, the other is the Castrol. I've used GM in my trans, I just put Castrol in my trans this weekend, can't tell any difference.
BTW, the GM is 5w-30, the Castrol is 10w-60. That's a far cry from the thick gunk that is most gear oils.
Given the choice between taking the oil maker's word for it or the trans maker's word for it, I'd go with the trans maker. As such there are only two fluids recommened. One is the GM fluid, the other is the Castrol. I've used GM in my trans, I just put Castrol in my trans this weekend, can't tell any difference.
BTW, the GM is 5w-30, the Castrol is 10w-60. That's a far cry from the thick gunk that is most gear oils.
