[Z06] RedLine bad for transmission?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: prescott AZ
RedLine bad for transmission?
I heard that because of the base that RedLine uses in their ATF it causes the carbon blockers to swell. It was not a problem in the earlier C5's because paper blockers were used. I just bought the new Mobil 1 ATF Dextron V which is an improved Dex III and well replace the RedLIne MTL that is in there now.
Is anyone using Mobil 1 in their 6 speeds and how do you like it?
Is anyone using Mobil 1 in their 6 speeds and how do you like it?
Safety Car
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From: Montoursville Pa
almost 40,000 on mine with Redline D4ate. I talked with the Tremac engineers at Carlisle a couple of years ago before I change mine out. His take was that it would only make things better. BTW The paper blockers were in the early Trans, carbon in later models It's the paper that swells not the carbon 
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From: King George VA
Originally Posted by skeet
I heard that because of the base that RedLine uses in their ATF it causes the carbon blockers to swell. It was not a problem in the earlier C5's because paper blockers were used. I just bought the new Mobil 1 ATF Dextron V which is an improved Dex III and well replace the RedLIne MTL that is in there now.
Is anyone using Mobil 1 in their 6 speeds and how do you like it?
Is anyone using Mobil 1 in their 6 speeds and how do you like it?
The ester basestock in Redline fluids does cause swelling in most porous materials like the seals. But, I've read that was an issue with the older paper blocker rings, not the new ones. I ran Redline D4 ATF in my Z06 for a few years before shifting to AMSOIL ATF at the start of the 2004 season.
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From: King George VA
Originally Posted by Sixxcat1
I think your supposed to use Royal Purple Synchromax, not their ATF formula.
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Originally Posted by Subdriver
Well... I think that's open to debate. RP Synchromax is definitely favored by many, but it isn't labeled to meet the GM Dexron III standard for the C5/Z06 manual transmission. If a tranny under warranty fails, you may find yourself in a nasty fight with Chevy if they find out you are running a fluid not meeting owner's manual requirement. And I highly doubt RP will step up and cover the repair.
And you can say the same about oil. If I started using Penzoil synthetic and I tell my Dealer after my engine blows, GM will probbaly try to void the warranty because I did not use Mobil 1
even though the engine blowing probably would not have anything to do with the oil brand changeI remember when GM said no aftermarket radios or alrams too until they amended the Magnuson-Moss act.
In fact, Lou Bachrot Chevrolet would not fix a failed seat motor in my 1992 becaue i had an aftermarket radio
MAGNUSON-MOSS:
"a vehicle manufacturer cannot void the warranty on a vehicle due to an aftermarket part unless they can prove that the aftermarket part caused or contributed to the failure in the vehicle (per the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C))"
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From: King George VA
Originally Posted by MARK's_C5TT
And you can say the same about oil. If I started using Penzoil synthetic and I tell my Dealer after my engine blows, GM will probbaly try to void the warranty because I did not use Mobil 1 even though the engine blowing probably would not have anything to do with the oil brand change
even though the engine blowing probably would not have anything to do with the oil brand changeIf you look in your owner's manual, you will see that it doesn't require Mobil 1, probably because of this act. It requires an oil meeting GM Standard 4718M, which many 0w30, 5w30 and 10w30 synthetics on the market meet. GM wouldn't have a leg to stand on as long as you are using an oil meeting 4718M.
Similarly for the tranny fluid, the owners manual requires a Dexron III fluid which is why I think all the guys running RP Synchromax are leaning pretty far forward when it comes to warranty coverage on the tranny.
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From: King George VA
Originally Posted by crazyv6
Subdriver, does the Amsoil Synthetic Manual Synchromesh Transmission Fluid (MTF) meet GM requirements? I was debating between Amsoil and RP for my 2004 Z16. 
The only two AMSOIL transmission fluids which meet Dexron III standards are:
AMSOIL ATF (which is what I use)
AMSOIL Torque-Drive Synthetic Transmission Fluid
Pro
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From: Reston VA
A data point from the Supra owners' community:
Getrag, maker of the six speed box that went into the '94-'98 Toyota Supra, issued a bulletin telling Supra owners to use the standard Toyota fluid because in their experience, Red Line eventually caused internal tranny bushings to swell.
This is the transmission manufacturer talking, not Toyota pushing sales of its own fluid.
FWIW, I found out about this after making the switch to Red Line myself, and yes, the transmission felt great with the Red Line in it. But it dawned on me that renewing the fluid with the OEM Toyota fluid might also have improved shifting--since the old fluid was genuinely due for replacement.
I'd listen to Getrag. I'm not sure how all of this translates to the box in our ZO6s, but I'd err on the cautious side.
My $.02
Getrag, maker of the six speed box that went into the '94-'98 Toyota Supra, issued a bulletin telling Supra owners to use the standard Toyota fluid because in their experience, Red Line eventually caused internal tranny bushings to swell.
This is the transmission manufacturer talking, not Toyota pushing sales of its own fluid.
FWIW, I found out about this after making the switch to Red Line myself, and yes, the transmission felt great with the Red Line in it. But it dawned on me that renewing the fluid with the OEM Toyota fluid might also have improved shifting--since the old fluid was genuinely due for replacement.
I'd listen to Getrag. I'm not sure how all of this translates to the box in our ZO6s, but I'd err on the cautious side.
My $.02
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From: King George VA
Originally Posted by JiminVirginia
A data point from the Supra owners' community:
Getrag, maker of the six speed box that went into the '94-'98 Toyota Supra, issued a bulletin telling Supra owners to use the standard Toyota fluid because in their experience, Red Line eventually caused internal tranny bushings to swell.
Getrag, maker of the six speed box that went into the '94-'98 Toyota Supra, issued a bulletin telling Supra owners to use the standard Toyota fluid because in their experience, Red Line eventually caused internal tranny bushings to swell.
