Short answer is - yes.

Tremec specs an ATF that meets Dexron III specification for the T56 in our manual trannies. AMSOIL's best fluid which meets Dexron III specs happens to be designed for the Allison automatic transmission found in many heavy duty vehicles (including my RV which is handy for me). Many forums members, myself included, have been using this fluid and as indicated by XtremeVette above - they are satisified.

XtremeVette - thanks for the mention.

 

Just an update on my experience with Torque Drive in my 2000 MN6:

I recently drained out the GM-recommended fluid (the Dex-III replacement, not the Dex VI or the Syncromesh).
I filled the tranny with Amsoil torque Drive as recommended herein.

Immediately noticeable was much more notchiness in all gears, and actual kickback occasionally when going to 2nd, 3d, or 4th.
THIS OCCURS ONLY WHEN THE TRANNY IS COLD (air temps between 40 and 60 here right now).
After full warmup, say 10 miles, the shifts become much smoother, better than the GM fluid. I guess this makes sense in that the viscosity of the TD is a bit higher than the ATF. I guess it would make sense to use the TD for track use, but I'm really not too happy about those first 10 miles - with my car, that's a pretty big part of my usual driving cycles.
I plan to keep it in until the weather warms up here in Texas, and see how it shifts then.
Maybe the answer for us old slow drivers is the Amsoil ATF, and the track and fast street guys go for the TD?

DG

 

I used Amsoil "Universal" auto transmission fluid in my 01.

 

Same experience here in my '01 MN6 although no kickback experienced, currently using Torque Drive. However, I do notice the difference with a cold tranny in that the shifts are not as smooth until it warms up - to be expected I guess to some extent. I just granny-shift it the first time out in cool weather. Perhaps that is why the one owner mixes in some of the lower viscosity stuff.

I've tried RP a well as Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF which s the Tremec recommendaion. My experience is that RP didn't improve the shifts warm or cold. The Mobil 1 had good cold shifting but it wasn't much smoother as it warmed up. The Amsoil Torque Drive is a little stiffer cold but had the best shifting once warm, so I'll stick with that as mine is mostly a fair-weather creature anyway.

 

Here are the two fluids discussed above:
AMSOIL Synthetic Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid (Product Code ATFQT)
AMSOIL Torque-Drive Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (Product Code ATD1G)

Both of these are labeled for the original tranny spec for our C5s which was Dexron III. AMSOIL's primary recommendation is the Torque Drive which is what I used in my Z06 at the track and used in my 06 CTS-V for several years until I sold it in 09 when I moved to DC.

In their current formulations, the Torque Drive actually has the lower viscosity; 37.1 cSt at 100F and 7.4 cSt at 212F for the Torque Drive vs. 38.8 cSt and 7.5 cSt respectively for the Multi-Vehicle (was formally called Universal).

At one point in time, about 2007 or so, the older formulation of the Multi-vehicle ATF was down at about 6.8 cSt at 212F but AMSOIL opted to come out with a new low viscosity fluid for the Dexron VI market (not applicable for manual trannies) and they put the universal ATF back to its historical at ~7.5 cSt.

 

Know this is really old thread but is what I found that led me to a Amsoil Torque drve fill in my C5 so figured would chime in with my experience. Previous owner of my 99 6spd stated he had in GM spec fluid which I found very difficult to get into gear cold and not much better when warmed up. To add to this had to really make sure I was in first gear or would pop out and grind. Also into the Vegas heat of the beginning of summer thought the GM spec would be a bit easier to shift but was not.

I ordered below from C66 Racing who is a very nice guy with good communication, thanks again C66 Racing for your help.
- 1 gal Torque Drive ATF (product ATD1G)
- 1 Hand Pump (product G2039)

The hand pump made the fill much easier. After using the Amsoil Torque drive for about 2 months and 1k miles the T56 is still somewhat tough shifting when cold but I do not have any issue with first gear popping out anymore, at all, and is easier than the previous GM spec fill to get into gear when cold. Also agree that it is night and day difference shifting warmed up, still notchy since T56 but much smoother and easier to operate, very happy with the Amsoil Torque Drive ATF.

 

Thanks for the comments and glad this old thread helped!

For anyone else considering the AMSOIL Torque Drive ATF, happy to get it for you at ~25% below retail via the AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program. Drop me a PM for info.

 

I've had a "Carlisle friendship" with Jerry at GK Synthetics (they sell Amsoil at Carlisle). He made some inquiries regarding the C5 MN6 - and while Torque Drive is good (and I've used it as well) - he suggested Signature Series instead. At Carlisle this year I waited until Sat afternoon to go buy some (as I didn't want to be lugging it around all day) and to my dismay they were sold out....

https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produ...luid/?code=atf

 

Can you get Signature Series as well at discount?

 

I'm in Fredericksburg VA, do you stock this? I'm ready to do a fluid change on 97 t56

 

Just ask for Amsoil torque drive or is there a specific part#? thanks