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I bought a 2000 FRC recently and although it's running fine, I feel like I'd have more peace of mind if I changed out the fluids. My first fluid change attempt will likely be the manual transmission fluid. I watched a Youtube video by Froggy which was fairly helpful but as a guy who's never had to work on cars, I still think I'm missing some info that'll make me proceed with confidence.
I understand draining the fluid, but I don't understand how you refill. A pump is needed? Are there any fluid brands with CorvetteForum consensus as being superior to OEM? Again, mine is a 2000 FRC and it's my understanding that some synthetics aren't good for earlier C5s.
I used a fluid transfer pump from Harbor Freight. They cheap and work well. A lot of people here recommend Amzoil. I can't remember which one of the fluids is recommended. Others will post.
I'm doing mine Monday. I have a 99' and did a lot of research. Going with AC Delco 88861800. There is a bunch of conflicting post about what is acceptable for the early c5s'. One of the stickies covers the acceptable substitutes but it is a little outdated.
Good idea, who knows when fluids were changed and what fluids were used. For a good and detailed instruction on how to do this see http://www.toquez06.com
I did the rear axle fluid at the same time as the tranny. Totally makes sense as the car has to be elevated and level for both jobs.
I used Amsoil Torque Drive for the tranny and Severe Gear in the rear... just did it last weekend.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
to get the fluid in the trans I have a large funnel with a long fluid hose jammed on the end of it and ziptied so it won't come off... I put the other end of the hose in the fill hole and make sure it's in a couple of inches so it doesn't accidentally pop out... I can fill the fluid standing up from the side of the car and it is mess free as long as you don't overfill the funnel and spill it... I do the trans and diff fluids this way and it has worked great for me
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by buckeye1872
Did you use teflon tape or anything on threads?
no need for teflon tape, the drain plug is a taper thread so it will seal itself... just don't hulk tighten it so you don't strip the threads out on the trans case
I still don't understand why you need a hose + funnel. Is it going in upside down? I don't need a hose to refill oil, gravity does all the work. Why do I need a hose for tranny fluid? ( I know this must be a dumb question.)
I still don't understand why you need a hose + funnel. Is it going in upside down? I don't need a hose to refill oil, gravity does all the work. Why do I need a hose for tranny fluid? ( I know this must be a dumb question.)
The fill plugs are on the sides of the cases and not in the wide open. Will make it 100x easier with the pump.
I still don't understand why you need a hose + funnel. Is it going in upside down? I don't need a hose to refill oil, gravity does all the work. Why do I need a hose for tranny fluid? ( I know this must be a dumb question.)
You fill from under the car and you need to pump the fluid up...
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by craig_vette
I still don't understand why you need a hose + funnel. Is it going in upside down? I don't need a hose to refill oil, gravity does all the work. Why do I need a hose for tranny fluid? ( I know this must be a dumb question.)
as stated the fill plug is on the side of the trans and about halfway up and the trans is also tucked up under the car so it isn't the most accessible... you can't get to it directly from above like you can when filling oil through the cap on the valve cover
I still don't understand why you need a hose + funnel. Is it going in upside down? I don't need a hose to refill oil, gravity does all the work. Why do I need a hose for tranny fluid? ( I know this must be a dumb question.)
Well, yes, it is going in upside down. Check out Toque's site, some pretty good pictures there. There's no fill tubes; just pipe plugs for filling and draining up inside the underside of the car.
P.S. after going to the link above, scroll down to the bottom to find the working section.
Motive is your friend . Super duper easy with them
Invest once, invest wise.
Remember the most important rule of drain and fill: Must open/loosen the fill bolt first THEN loosen/remove drain bolt. If you do drain bolt first and remove oil and then you can't open fill bolt = you're going to have a bad day.
Last edited by Metalgearsolid_x; Mar 21, 2016 at 03:03 AM.
Motive is your friend . Super duper easy with them
Invest once, invest wise.
Remember the most important rule of drain and fill: Must open/loosen the fill bolt first THEN loosen/remove drain bolt. If you do drain bolt first and remove oil and then you can't open fill bolt = you're going to have a bad day.
Thanks! Very valuable advice. I definitely would've started with the drain plug first. Is Motive a pump only? Or does it come with fluid?
Motive is just the company that provides the tools. In this case, the pumps you see here. The fluid will need to be purchased separately. I will also put this out there, even myself wasnt comfortable and changed mine roughly 5 years ago. The owners manual states that the Manual Transmission fluid doesn't ever have to be changed for the life of the car. Most here aren't comfortable with that and find it hard to believe that a fluid never has to be changed. Like I said, myself included. Just food for thought.
Since I'm not mechanically inclined, and feel like anything I touch is risky, I'm tempted to not change out the transmission fluid if the owner's manual says it's good for the life of the vehicle. Shifting isn't a problem. I just figured maybe I should change all the fluids. Anybody think this would be a bad plan? Does "life of the vehicle" really mean forever? It's a 16 yr old vehicle.
Ok I post a picture of what the owners manual actually says. I said life but.....here see for yourself. Also I didn't say that to scare you out of doing, just wanted you to be informed. Like I said earlier most of us have changed it simply because its hard to believe a fluid can still perform the day it did new (for example for your car) 16 years later. Piece of mind can be a wonderful thing.......here...
Since I'm not mechanically inclined, and feel like anything I touch is risky, I'm tempted to not change out the transmission fluid if the owner's manual says it's good for the life of the vehicle. Shifting isn't a problem. I just figured maybe I should change all the fluids. Anybody think this would be a bad plan? Does "life of the vehicle" really mean forever? It's a 16 yr old vehicle.
16 years... it's time IMO.
It's not hard, just potentially messy and takes some time. Either that or have it done, but make sure you take it somewhere that knows what they're doing.
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Changing Manual Transmission Fluid
... I do the trans and diff fluids this way and it has worked great for me
. Super duper easy with them 
......here...
