When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Doing some research and trying to figure out what to put in my 02.. is this correct?
Engine oil- Mobil 1 5W-30 (6.5-7 quarts)
Transmission (manual)- Mobil 1 ATF (works because mine is an 02) (4 quarts)
Diff- Mobil 1 75W-90 gear oil (1.6 quarts) + 4 oz AC Delco/GM LSD additive
I messaged the forum's local amsoil guy for his recommendations as well.
Personally I'm not brand loyal. The main thing with the crankcase oil is you want to use a full synthetic. 5w-30 is fine ... some guys go thinner/thicker depending on usage characteristics and latitude. You will hear a few guys claiming dino oil is fine for the C5 citing that the Camaros and LS trucks don't call for full syn. But the difference is the Corvettes tend to run hotter and at least in my experience, my engine burns through dino oil much faster than syn.
As for transmission, I used to get an occasional grind from 3-4 on hard shifts, so at the suggestion of local mechanic I drained out the Dex and refilled with Penzoil Synchromesh. The grind went away, and shifts are noticeably smoother now soooo I'm a believer
For the diff, if you get the M1 75-90 with the "LS" designation, you don't need to buy the additive. It's already in there.
Personally I'm not brand loyal. The main thing with the crankcase oil is you want to use a full synthetic. 5w-30 is fine ... some guys go thinner/thicker depending on usage characteristics and latitude. You will hear a few guys claiming dino oil is fine for the C5 citing that the Camaros and LS trucks don't call for full syn. But the difference is the Corvettes tend to run hotter and at least in my experience, my engine burns through dino oil much faster than syn.
As for transmission, I used to get an occasional grind from 3-4 on hard shifts, so at the suggestion of local mechanic I drained out the Dex and refilled with Penzoil Synchromesh. The grind went away, and shifts are noticeably smoother now soooo I'm a believer
For the diff, if you get the M1 75-90 with the "LS" designation, you don't need to buy the additive. It's already in there.
Would it hurt to also add the additive? I know how critical it was in my mustang to add it even if the gear lube had the modifiers in it already.
Transmission shifts fine for now.. the clutch pedal not returning fully under hard shifting through the first couple gears is a different issue.
Amsoil Domintaor 10W/30 Full synthetic racing oil (AZ temps plus I do track the car)
Amsoil Oil Filter
Lucas Full Synthetic gear oil - with additive
Castrol Synthetic ATF oil
Would it hurt to also add the additive? I know how critical it was in my mustang to add it even if the gear lube had the modifiers in it already.
The additive is a friction modifier, so I don't think more is necessarily better. I do know for a fact that with the M1 75w-90 LS gear oil, my differential engages both wheels when it should.
I would try it without the additive if the lube oil says for LS. Many people have had good luck without putting in the additive.
However, on my '96 Impala SS even though the lube said LS, the differential chattered bad. I sucked a little bit out of the fill hole and put the additive in. No more chatter.
Would it hurt to also add the additive? I know how critical it was in my mustang to add it even if the gear lube had the modifiers in it already.
The short answer is yes. Use the lube from the bottle and then take it to a parking lot and do some slow figure 8's with the car. This will work the new oil into the clutches. If you start to get chatter add a bit of additive, but I wouldn't use the whole bottle.
Too much additive will eliminate the limited slip capability of the differential so approach this carefully.
I agree. Do not add LS additive unless you need it. I know this for a fact. I had added additive to GM LS diff fluid even though I didn't need it. It basically caused the limited slip to no longer function correctly and on hot days, the fluid would spit out the top vent even though the level was correct. Changed out the fluid and went with Castrol Synthetic with no additive. Problem solved. No chatter or any other issues.
Engine.. 6 qts of Mobil 10w30, and 1 qt of Lucas oil stabilizer
tranny.. dex 3, and a qt of lucas tranny fluid
rear.. Lucas 90w125 I think was the weight.. I have a built rear that calls for that weight.
My car is a 98, with 142,000 miles on it. It has headers, full exhaust, and is supercharged. Runs beautifully.
.....However, on my '96 Impala SS even though the lube said LS, the differential chattered bad. I sucked a little bit out of the fill hole and put the additive in. No more chatter.
Funny you should mention that. Back in '93, I bought a new Caprice LTZ, sort of a pre-Impala SS, for my wife, as a DD. When the car was a couple of years old, right before we took off on vacation, I went over it thoroughly, and changed all the fluids, including the rear axle. Like you, I filled it with "limited slip" gear oil, IIRC, Valvoline. Well, that stuff didn't have enough friction modifier in it, and I had to listen to the clutches "chatter" during tight turns in parking lots, until I got home, and put some of the additive in it.....
These days, Mobil1 ATF is a Dex VI fluid, and per GM, Dex VI can cause failure in manual transmissions. So avoid anything which says it meets Dex VI specification.
You need to find "old spec" Dex III - you are looking for a fluid labelled for "older" GM vehicles. Tremec says that a regular Dex III is all that is needed.
I am running Valvoline Dex/Merc with absolutely no shifting issues, and it's easily obtainable (got mine at Walmart) and much cheaper than some of the more "boutique" fluids.
These days, Mobil1 ATF is a Dex VI fluid, and per GM, Dex VI can cause failure in manual transmissions. So avoid anything which says it meets Dex VI specification.
You need to find "old spec" Dex III - you are looking for a fluid labelled for "older" GM vehicles. Tremec says that a regular Dex III is all that is needed.
I am running Valvoline Dex/Merc with absolutely no shifting issues, and it's easily obtainable (got mine at Walmart) and much cheaper than some of the more "boutique" fluids.
Research tells me I can run DEX VI in my 02 transmission since it is not the one with the paper rings... guess that changed in the 01+ models... is that not true?
Research tells me I can run DEX VI in my 02 transmission since it is not the one with the paper rings... guess that changed in the 01+ models... is that not true?
Research tells me I can run DEX VI in my 02 transmission since it is not the one with the paper rings... guess that changed in the 01+ models... is that not true?
No it is most definitely not. Extract from a GM Bulletin on the topic:
---------------------------------
Condition/Concern:
Unavailability of manual transmission fluid part number 88861800 U.S. (88861801 Canada).
Recommendation/Instructions:
If fluid part number 88861800 U.S. (88861801 Canada) is unavailable when servicing a manual transmission or transfer case, Dexron III can be used in it's place. DO NOT use Dexron VI in place of the manual transmission fluid in any manual transmissions or transfer cases as a failure may result.
-------------------------------
The fluid they refer to is the GM supplied replacement for Dex III. The fluids the auto parts stores sell as suitable for "older" (pre-2007) GM automatic transmissions are to Dex III specs. My experience in many years of C5 ownership is that Dex III works just fine, though a lot of people here have their own favorites - usually a lot pricier.
Last edited by jackthelad; Oct 26, 2015 at 09:25 AM.
No it is most definitely not. Extract from a GM Bulletin on the topic:
---------------------------------
Condition/Concern:
Unavailability of manual transmission fluid part number 88861800 U.S. (88861801 Canada).
Recommendation/Instructions:
If fluid part number 88861800 U.S. (88861801 Canada) is unavailable when servicing a manual transmission or transfer case, Dexron III can be used in it's place. DO NOT use Dexron VI in place of the manual transmission fluid in any manual transmissions or transfer cases as a failure may result.
-------------------------------
The fluid they refer to is the GM supplied replacement for Dex III. The fluids the auto parts stores sell as suitable for "older" (pre-2007) GM automatic transmissions are to Dex III specs. My experience in many years of C5 ownership is that Dex III works just fine, though a lot of people here have their own favorites - usually a lot pricier.
Sounds good, thank you.
I decided to go the AMSOIL route through the forum sponsor here. Price was a little more than the Mobil 1 route, but I've always been an AMSOIL fan for my motorcycle as well. Makes life easy. I'm a little sketchy on the different synthetic ATF's and the Mobil 1 gear lube with the additive already in it.
These days, Mobil1 ATF is a Dex VI fluid, and per GM, Dex VI can cause failure in manual transmissions. So avoid anything which says it meets Dex VI specification.
Incorrect. "Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF" is listed as a Dexron III fluid.
The Dexron VI fluid that Mobil 1 sells is called "Mobil Dexron-VI ATF" and this one should be avoided in our cars.
Good advice.
Another oil thread- 02 C5 (all cases)
You will hear a few guys claiming dino oil is fine for the C5 citing that the Camaros and LS trucks don't call for full syn. But the difference is the Corvettes tend to run hotter and at least in my experience, my engine burns through dino oil much faster than syn.
