Guys, I'm sorry I did all the search couldn't find a link to any thread which would reply my questions. I've got a 99 couple, A4. I wanna change rear diff oil and Tani oil on it. Whats the better choice of the two? Facts plz? Also, is there a diff slip additive, and A4 additive recommended for better perf ?

Thanks in advance. Plz do reply... I really need to do this

P.S: If you know of a nice Trani filter kit for A4, plz let me know.

 

DTE recommends Redline.. That's good enough for me..

With a DTE built diff., you use Redline and a full bottle of GM diff additive.

Either brand is good; you won't see a significant difference in performance between the two.

 

DTE..??? Sorry, dont know the meaning (newbie). I spoke to the parts guy at a Chevy dealership and he goes in Corvettes you put synthetic oils, so GM diff additive ..etc, is not necessary. IS that a Fact? Also, I know either brand wont make a difference in perf, but I meant quality wise...which brand has better ratings, in terms of handling the heat, break down...etc..etc?

I need more ppl to reply and give inputs.. Come on guys, 35 ppl read and only 1 reply...

 

Well what we have here is a failure, no that was a movie quote. Anyway, what you have here are two of the best synthetics you can buy. Those that use AMSOIL will say it is best and rightly so, it is incredible. And then you have those that use Redline and they are loyal as well. Both are incredible synthetics. I have used both to try and find differences or a preference. As a result, I have Redline in one Vette and Amsoil in the other. SO , the point is that whichever one you use you won't be disappointed. Both are incredible. After switching to the Amsoil, I noticed that the tick wasn't as evident.

 

I agree with this input. They are both good. I ultimately chose AMSOIL as you know, but I have used Redline in the tranny and diff with good results as well.
I am very happy with the performance of AMSOIL right now though. At my race on Mar 20th, I lost the left axle seal in the diff and started losing fluid on about lap 13 of 26. On about lap 20, the diff was so hot I got a tranny high temp alarm at 277. As the tranny temp gauge is on my tranny cooler return line, the actual tranny temp must've been near 300 degrees. God knows how hot the diff was. At the end of the race the diff was at least a quart low. But, both diff and tranny survived and are still working. Since I'll be in training all summer, I plan to replace my tranny and diff as a preventative measure. They both are the stock units and at this point have 3.5 years, over 16k total miles, and something like 27 SCCA races and 8 or 9 DEs on them.
AMSOIL ATF
AMSOIL Severe Gear Extreme Pressure Synthetic 75w90
AMSOIL Hand Pump
AMSOIL Slip-Lock Differential Additive

Note: I don't use the slip-lock in my diff and it has never chattered. Both AMSOIL and Redline Gear Lubes come with about 2% slip lock additive in them.

 

Amsoil in all of my stuff!

 

I am running Amsoil in both my tranny (6 speed) and rear differential and am quite happy with the results. I have had problems with Redline in the past, but it continues to run in several of my car's auto tranny's today that have many many miles on them. Redline is an ester based lubricant that will by itself cause seal swell and leaks. There are additives in the oil to prevent seal swell. I think the one problem I had was due to seal swell and am not sure why it happened as I had successfully run the rear fluid in my Vette, but the Suburban gagged on it. Go figure

Both Amsoil and Redline 75W-90 have about 4% additive in it right out of the bottle. Don't add extra unless you need it as you will decrease the effectiveness of the stock limited slip clutches with too much. DTE is a performance house, and I believe they require more due to their clutch pack but am not sure on this. For stock, don't add more to either the Redline or the Amsoil. Fill the rear and drive the car slowly doing about 8-10 tight figure 8's. This will work the fluid into the clutches. If there is no chatter when you are done, the no further additive is required. If there is chatter, put in the additive an ounce at a time and try again.

On the Redline, there are two fluids: 75W-90 and 75W-90NS. The "NS" does not have the additive in it, the regular 75W-90 does. They make both so you can mix and adjust the percentage of additive. Just go with the straight 75W-90 for a stock application.

PS: The GM fluid is synthetic for the rear end also.

As for the tranny, not familiar with the auto but be careful in using a synthetic. Sometimes the clutches will slip. I would make real sure the Vette auto can use it. I am not familiar with it so won't make any recommendations.

 

Vettenuts knows his stuff, but I will humbly disagree on the clutch plate slippage, simply b/c I was studying this subject this weekend. I have a new Chrysler and they experience TC clutch shudder if the ATF isn't "just right" in the friction department

Synthetic fluids commercially sold for specific applications (tranny, power steering, crankcase oil, etc.) are developed with base oils and highly engineered additives.

The additives are for deposits, suspension of solids, etc. and include friction modifiers, similar to the petroleum oil (mineral oil) cousins. The additive package and balance of synthetic base oils in the mix are the difference between different products.

Note also that companies are now allowed to tout "synthetic" for oils that are really mineral oil based. It all gets really complicated, but for synthetics I'd stick with either Amsoil or Redline. I was going to use Redline for convenience, but Advance Auto stopped carrying it locally, so I'll have to compare prices to see which is economically advantageous......or I might just stick with Mobil syns......

But to answer your question.....If money didn't matter ------ Amsoil all the way!

Good luck on your decision.

 

Thanks for all the replies.... PLzzzzz keep the info Flowing...

I was reading the Amsoil website and found this for their AT trani fluid -

Recommended for applications requiring the following specifications:
GM; Dexron II, Dexron III
Ford; Mercon, Mercon V
Chrysler; ATF+ through ATF+4
Allison; C-3 & C-4
Caterpillar; TO-2
Voith Commercial
ZF; TE-ML14B
Honda; Z-1
Mitsubishi Diamond SP II & III
Toyota; Type T, T-IV
Vickers I 286S & M2950S
Hyundai; SP-II, SP-III

QUESTION - How can ONE oil be used for every machine out there. I thought the Ford, GM, and others use different kind of ATF. If every company and every transmission used the same oil, then why do we *Need to pay attention* to the specific kind of oil. I know the GM recommends DEXRON III only. Does this make sense to have ONE UNIVERSAL oil for all transmissions ???? Excuse my ignorance, but I'm confused. (Though I'm sure Amsoil people are smart nuff to know this)
Thanks...

 

I don't claim to know all the answers, or even this one.

But, my understanding is that each one of those requirements listed above are just that, requirements. Each has a specific requirement listing of specifications that the oil must meet. The AMSOIL ATF does meet all those specifications. It probably far surpasses most of them.

Likely they are all somewhat similar to each other anyways.

 

I can't answer it either, but there is another web site at Bobistheoilguy.com where there are many very knowledgable people who can likely answer your question. Or you can do a search on that forum, I know it has been asked there before. Check the forum on tranny fluids.

 

Thanks for the replies... I think there are quite a few Amsoil distributors here on this forum, and since its a home based business like Amway (what a co-incidence Amway / Amsoil sound familiar), its only obvious that they believe in the product they're selling. It makes sense from a business point and loyalty to the product. I felt the same when I sold Amway many yrs ago. Similar concept, you sell, you sponsor new people, and a lil profit..etc..etc.

I do appreciate the responses, but its hard to get an unbaised reply. I mean facts, reseach, and a 3rd party tests to prove the best. Not that the other would be no a good product, but for MY Vette, I want the winner.

 

I met an AMSOIL rep at Lowe's Motor Speedway yesterday at the Auto Fair event. He showed me some pretty interesting indications of how good the lubricants are... His Ford F150 has 161,000 miles on it - without a full oil change. He pulled the dipstick on it, and the oil was no dirtier than mine after 3000 miles. This is not scientific, I know. And his truck has dual oil filters, which are changed every 15-20k or so. However, he does an oil analysis (sends sample to a lab) every time the filters are changed to ensure that the oil is still safe to run. Periodically, he does need to add a quart of oil, as there is some moderate burnoff on the Ford engine - especially because he tows his AMSOIL trailer with it to events like this.
AMSOIL also had documented a big-rig that went 409,000 miles without an oil change with a similar setup as above, 2 filters.
I'm not affiliated with this company at all - don't even run their fluids - YET. Next oil/tranny/diff change, though, I think I'm going to give it a try.
The rep claimed that I should see lower oil temps with AMSOIL than with the Mobil 1 I'm running now, too. Don't know how true that is, but worth a shot IMHO.

 

and don't forget to add Royal Purple in that group too.

Get whatever is easier or cheaper

 

Hear, Hear, I just changed my trans and rear end fluid to Royal Purple a Month ago and can't say enough on how much smoother the car now shifts.

 

Don't know about the other Royal Purple oils, but their engine oil has not produced very good results in used oil analysis as compared to the others (Mobil-1, Redline, Amsoil and Castrol German 0W-30)

 

Royal Purple is supposed to be a high end oil too like the Redline and Amsoil. But read somewhere they use some molly type stuff....not too sure if that works really great in the long run...(didn't get a positive feedback on that).

Still the debate between the Redline used by many racers and high-end oil useres, and Amsoil...(with similar reputation). I don't know if there's anyone out there on the web, or a site that's done test between these Two. Its funny that I got a package from Amsoil, that explains how I can make money selling it, or by sponsoring others to use this oil, and how to be an independent distributor..etc..etc. They showed comparisons between Amsoil and Quaker state/Penzoil/Valvoline/and some other off name brands. (Didn't show any comparison with Mobil-1, or REDLINE)... mmmm.... I'm not interested in making money from selling their products. I just wanna buy and use the best in my car. Thats all...

 

There are many many tests of all these oils over on Bobistheoilguy.com

I would suggest taking a read over there, very interesting stuff to say the least. Very knowledgable people as well.

 

I use Redline. Here's why
I have an '88 IROC-Z with 363,000 miles. Its had Redline in the 5 speed and the rear since 42,000. The posi rear still works!!

I have Redline in my 2000 cpe in the 6 speed and the rear and it runs great.
Just got 31 MPG on a recent trip.

 

Are we talking about the synthetic fluid?? I did a post on this a few months ago. I actually talked to a Rep for Red Line and he did not recommend it in the A4 (4l60e). He said it caused excessive slippage in these transmissions. It scared me away. Why would he tell me this? A case ran about $90.00 and I was willing to pay for it. Another member made a comment, saying he had heard the same thing. Plenty of members swear by this stuff. Every Red Line product I have used in the past is great. No Problems. I sure don't want to start any false rumors, however it concerned me that someone turned me away from their product (loss of a sale). I finally went with the Dexron, which is the standard and recommended fluid for these transmissions