Changing Fluids - brands...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: SAN JOSE CALIFORNIA
Changing Fluids - brands...
All,
I'd like to change all the fluids of my newly purchased 1996 LT4 (2 months ago). It only has 21k miles. The previous owner did it 5 years ago but I don't know the brands. So I'm considering of just changing all the fluids anyways since fluids are #1 way to maintain a good car!
(I've searched the forum and came up with the following)
FLUIDS:
OIL - Mobil 1 Synthetic (w/ Mobil 1 filter)
COOLANT - Havoline Dex-Cool with Distilled Water (50/50)
COOLANT - Supplement Sealer (any brand?)
DIFFERENTIAL - Castrol Syntec Gear Oil (75W-90)
DIFFERENTIAL - GM Limited Slip Diff. Additive (2 bottles)
MANUAL TRANS - BMW Model Castrol TWS 10W-60
BRAKE - Valvoline Synpower
CLUTCH - Valvoline Synpower
POWER STEERING - Redline Synthetic
Are these fluids brands going to provide good performance?? Any opinions?
(I’m willing to pay extra but want to be smart about it too - value...)
Thanks....
I'd like to change all the fluids of my newly purchased 1996 LT4 (2 months ago). It only has 21k miles. The previous owner did it 5 years ago but I don't know the brands. So I'm considering of just changing all the fluids anyways since fluids are #1 way to maintain a good car!
(I've searched the forum and came up with the following)
FLUIDS:
OIL - Mobil 1 Synthetic (w/ Mobil 1 filter)
COOLANT - Havoline Dex-Cool with Distilled Water (50/50)
COOLANT - Supplement Sealer (any brand?)
DIFFERENTIAL - Castrol Syntec Gear Oil (75W-90)
DIFFERENTIAL - GM Limited Slip Diff. Additive (2 bottles)
MANUAL TRANS - BMW Model Castrol TWS 10W-60
BRAKE - Valvoline Synpower
CLUTCH - Valvoline Synpower
POWER STEERING - Redline Synthetic
Are these fluids brands going to provide good performance?? Any opinions?
(I’m willing to pay extra but want to be smart about it too - value...)
Thanks....
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,770
Likes: 175
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
I have Dex-Cool in my LT4, and have had no problems. The Dex-Cool vs. Green coolant seems to stir up more debate than any other topic. I would stick with what it came from the factory with.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,261
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From: O'Fallon Missouri
1996 Corvette came from the factory with Dex-Cool coolant. Do not ever mix the two! If you insist on changing over the the geen stuff, you better make sure you have a complete flush and no trace of Dex-Cool left. Otherwise you'll create "sludge".
I would stick with what it came from the factory with.
I would stick with what it came from the factory with.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
The Dex-Cool is designed to be compatable with..and to provide protection for...the various alloys, plastics, and gaskets in the LT1's cooling system. I would NOT go to an older formulation of coolant.
Everything else on the list looks fine....they may not all be the ONLY good fluids available, but each of them will be as good as anything else you could put in there.
Larry
code5coupe
Last edited by rocco16; Jan 11, 2007 at 03:15 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
I've never been a big Castrol fan..
For the rear diff Gear oil I would go with Mobil 1 75W90
or Royal Purple (internationally known for their gear oils, both passenger car and industrial)
+ the GM addtive as you indicate...
Some go with the Amsoil gear oil and skip the additive...since Amsoil claims it is already in their gear oil...
For the rear diff Gear oil I would go with Mobil 1 75W90
or Royal Purple (internationally known for their gear oils, both passenger car and industrial)
+ the GM addtive as you indicate...
Some go with the Amsoil gear oil and skip the additive...since Amsoil claims it is already in their gear oil...
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
If your going to change the clutch fluid, replace it with the GM hydraulic clutch fluid, check out zfdoc.com for the correct part number, it works the best. 
Good Luck,
Randy
Good Luck,
Randy
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: King George VA
For the original poster, if you are interested in AMSOIL fluids, these are the ones applicable to your 96:
Engine oil:
Best - AMSOIL Series 2000 0w30
Very good alternatives:
AMSOIL SAE Synthetic 10w30
AMSOIL SAE Synthetic 5w30
Manual Tranny: AMSOIL Synthetic Synchromesh Transmission Fluid (MTF)
Diff: AMSOIL Severe Gear Extreme Pressure Synthetic 75w90
For the DIYer, this comes in handy: AMSOIL Hand Pump
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,284
Likes: 51
From: Jacksonville, FL
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '26
Two cents more....
.....about the trans fluid. I think you should go to zfdoc.com & read up on the trans oil issue before you make any choices. The zf6 uses an uncommon GL rated fluid. The GL ratings are not interchangable. If a trans calls for GL4 you can't put GL5 in it. If I remember from Bill's site the zf6 in the C4 uses GL4 rated fluid, I think??? BMW/Castrol oil is M5 motor oil but it has the correct GL rating for our zf6's. It's only sold at BMW parts counters, no parts stores carry it.
One thing about the trans fluid change, make sure you get the fill plug out, 17mm hex socket, before doing anything else. They are hard to get out the first time around....sometimes.
Tom
One thing about the trans fluid change, make sure you get the fill plug out, 17mm hex socket, before doing anything else. They are hard to get out the first time around....sometimes.
Tom
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 251
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From: SAN JOSE CALIFORNIA
Ok.....from zfdoc.com about transmission fluid.
"TRANSMISSION OIL (status) - Vascular flow of oil through the porous Phosphorus-bronze (Pb) material of each synchronizer is essential for effective British Thermal Unit (BTU) heat exchange occurrence. Frequent transmission oil changes will ensure lower Pb particle levels suspended in the oil. The ZF S6-40 6-speed transmission is lubricated by engine type oil. Manufacturer recommendations specify the use of GM P/N 1052931 (5w-30) or BMW P/N 07510009420 (10w-60) oil.
Approximate oil capacity of the ZF S6-40 is 2.2 quarts.
FYI - the BMW 10w-60 oil is fully-synthetic and is used in the BMW M5 engine. "
TRANS OIL - BMW M5 10W-60 motor oil is definitly the way to go!
COOLANT - For my 1996 I will stick with DexCool and NO SEALER!!
CLUTCH FLUID - Valvoline Synpower OR GM Clutch fluid P/N 12345347 (Dot3 grade with friction modifiers)
Thanks for all the inputs!!!!
"TRANSMISSION OIL (status) - Vascular flow of oil through the porous Phosphorus-bronze (Pb) material of each synchronizer is essential for effective British Thermal Unit (BTU) heat exchange occurrence. Frequent transmission oil changes will ensure lower Pb particle levels suspended in the oil. The ZF S6-40 6-speed transmission is lubricated by engine type oil. Manufacturer recommendations specify the use of GM P/N 1052931 (5w-30) or BMW P/N 07510009420 (10w-60) oil.
Approximate oil capacity of the ZF S6-40 is 2.2 quarts.
FYI - the BMW 10w-60 oil is fully-synthetic and is used in the BMW M5 engine. "
TRANS OIL - BMW M5 10W-60 motor oil is definitly the way to go!
COOLANT - For my 1996 I will stick with DexCool and NO SEALER!!
CLUTCH FLUID - Valvoline Synpower OR GM Clutch fluid P/N 12345347 (Dot3 grade with friction modifiers)
Thanks for all the inputs!!!!
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,364
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From: King George VA