How many quarts of new fluid is supposed to go back in the transmission? The reason I ask is I changed mine out today to Royal Purple and it was full with only three quarts. I thought it was supposed to take four? I drained all the old fluid out before hand, so I know it was empty. I also measured the old fluid and that was only three quarts. Please advise.

 

I know that the specs say the trans holds almost 4 quarts, but I've changed my fluid a few times and the most I've gotten in is almost 3 1/2 quarts.

 

as we're on topic, what royal purple is recommended, like what weight?

 

There is no weight it is synthetic ATF fluid. I changed mine to Mobil 1 synthetic, about $7 a quart. I hear great things about Royal Purple also. Some swear by Amsoil. Mine took abou 3 3/4 quarts, was your car absoluetly level? Even some driveway or garage floor slope could affect how much comes out and of course how much you can get back in.

Jeff

 

Just bought 4 quarts of Royal Purple Synchromax--the stuff's supposed to be magical. We'll see tomorrow.

 

It's not magical. But it does smooth the shifting out. I didn't have any handy on the last change so I used the new Mobil 1 Dexron IV or V, whichever it is. Not impressed. The RP Synchromax is going back in come spring time after a couple of track events.

Try their GearMax in the differential too. Not bad. I'm using their 5w-30 oil in the engine also. And it works well. That's with reports from Blackstone to back it up.

 

I used mobil one in my trans. I didn't notice any shifting ease, but I removed the shift boot and shot some white lubriplate spray grease around the shifter pivot, and it shifted with less push or effort.

 

Guys - If you read the specs in the maint manual, it says 4 quarts allright, but in fine print is says "overhaul". I also recently changed mine and ended up adding about 3 1/2 quarts of Mobil 1 synthetic. I expect that there are some pockets in there that do not drain when you just pull the plug.

Mobil 1 did not really help my cold shifting, but did seem to make shifts slightly smoother when the tranny was warm.

 

been there done that, and I do like it better then MB1, and redline. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Dave
PS back on post 3.75q probably. You might try and get the car level when draining, or even lower it a bit out back to get more fluid out, it helps and more will come out. Just fill it level IMO

 

Hi Guys -

I too find the trans will take only 3.5 / 3.75 quarts.

I used Red Line in mine.

One tip - if you are using quarts, pour them into a gallon jug so you won't have to swap jugs while pumping the fluid in - makes a real mess if you have to keep pulling the suction tube out and putting it in another quart bottle.

best regards -

mqqn

 

I am now running the Royal Purple Synchromax. I've tried a few different brands including Mobil 1 and Dexron VI (no typo), and I like the Purple the best. Smoothest shifting of all. On the last change to the Synchromax, I used a level to make sure my car was sitting right and I got 3 1/2 quarts in.

 

I'm kind of surprised that I have yet to see anybody try MTFglide from Specialty Formulations. I'm not affilated with Specialty Formulations...I learned of them from the Bob Is The Oil Guy forums and decided to try their products. The MTFglide is unique in that it is SPECIFICALLY designed to be used in manual tranny's that call for ATF. In a nutshell, it has the same viscosity as ATF but about 5 times the Extreme Pressure & Anti Wear additives of ATF. Also, the Friction modifiers used are SPECIFICALLY chosen to provide perfect synchronization. I am currently running it in my Z28's T-56 tranny; convinced my neighbor to use it in his FRC; and I have a gallon of it on the shelf to use in my recently aquired Z06. So far, we are impressed with this fluid and I have high hopes that it will perform just as well in my Z06.

The problem with most of the other fluids is that usually the syncronization is wrong such as Mobil-1 ATF is TOO slippery; or Redline MTL is too thick and not slick enough; Or many of the other fluids that are specifically a "syncromesh" replacement fluid and therefore again, the viscosity is thicker than ATF. And for clarity, the viscosity of the average Dexron-III/Mercon ATF is around 7-7.5 cSt @ 100F while Syncromesh fluids are around 9-10 cSt @ 100F, and Redline MTL is close to 10-11cSt @100F.

Hope this helps somebody.

Hammer

 

The Royal Purple Synchrmax is also an ATF replacement specifically for manual trans that require ATF.

 

 

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 there seemed to be some additional resistance when shifting at higher RPM's - like the synchros were less willing to engage each gear...

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

3 qts Red Line MTL topped off with AmsOil ATF - This formula was recommended by my tuner. Have had this in for a couple months now and pretty happy with it. Either I am getting more picky or over time this is making the shifts more sticky, and I am pretty sure it increased the amount of shifter rattle.

All in all I think I will go back to the AmsOil ATF. I put that in my firebird and left it in there for over 70,000 miles, and the trans shifted as smooth the day went to the junkyard as the day I put the fluid in. I am also continually adjusting my linkage trying to get that perfect.

 

I assumed it was a Syncromesh replacement due to the use of "synchr" in it's name. I went and looked at the Product Data Sheet and seen that it comes in a a 7.7 cSt viscosity so it definately falls close to an ATF. I still think many of you wil be extremely happy with the MTFglide product I mentioned. Unfortunately, I went to Specialty Formulations website and there is a notice that they are not taking any orders until they have moved in to their new facility. Good thing I bought mine before the move.

Hammer

 

You put Red Line MTL in your tranny?? I'd rethink that if I were you. I know that's what your tuner said, but MTL is meant for older non-synchro transmissions and general purpose transmission use. Our Z06 trannies require an ATF, which is much thinner than MTL which is like syrup. IMHO, get that stuff out of your tranny and put in a good ATF. I've been using Red Line Synthetic ATF and it seems to work well. I"ve considered changing to Mobil 1 Syth ATF next change, and may give it a try. But MTL? No way.

 

I know that most people that post have positive results when changing fluids. RP seems to be a favorite, but there are plenty of other testimonies for the other products.

I have a 03 Z w/about 12k on it. I had no issues, but thought that changing fluids was the right thing to do, and if it made things shift better, I'd take that too. I noticed zero difference after changing the tranny and diff to the RP products. I posted that at the time, and a number of others had the same experience.

I did adjust my shifter, which is a Hurst put in by the previous owner, and a careful adjustment did bring a positive result. Not so much with how it shifted, but the "feel" of it. There are threads that can be found. I was sent a link to a procedure after the fact. It's well worth the effort if you don't mind pulling the console out.

So, don't be disappointed if the fluid change doesn't do anything for you. It's always goodness to change fluids, and it doesn't hurt to get intimate with the ol' girl's underside either.

mk

 

thehammer69 great avitar!!! I'll take one more please???
jbauch357 another one!!! "That's my stappler" I need the office pack gag gift for Christmas this year, complete with stappler, TPS report cover sheet, flair...
Thanks guys!
Dave

 

The longer that it has been in my trans the more I have been rethinking it. For some reason I have a feeling I will be underneath the car tonight...

I figured since he runs a trans shop and builds 9 sec F-Bodies he would be a good source for what to put in the trans, but he may have been wrong on this one...