Diff/trans oil question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 915
Likes: 1
From: UK
Diff/trans oil question
If there's one thing I hate about my C6, it's the bloody driveline sloppiness. At slow speeds, when crawling along in 1st, any change in throttle position usually results in the car 'kangaroo'ing' and is often accompanied by the diff clunking like someone has hit the housing with a damn hammer. It's a constant battle to work-around this is stop/go traffic by slipping the clutch and/or avoiding 1st gear. Additionally, I've noticed, when cold, the 2-3 shift borderline grates/crashes going into 3rd. It's not audible, but I can feel it through the shifter.
So, is a diff/trans oil change likely to improve the above issues? If so, should I stick with the OE oil, or go aftermarket? Bear in mind the car is a daily-driver and the oil must be able to copy with ambient temps from ~25f to ~95f.
Cheers,
Ian.
So, is a diff/trans oil change likely to improve the above issues? If so, should I stick with the OE oil, or go aftermarket? Bear in mind the car is a daily-driver and the oil must be able to copy with ambient temps from ~25f to ~95f.
Cheers,
Ian.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 915
Likes: 1
From: UK
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,563
Likes: 2
From: Dallas Tx
You must drive really slow. I've owned more 6 speed GM cars than underwear and have never noticed it.
If there were no play in driveline parts, they wouldn't last more than a day. A ring an pinion with no backlash wouldn't make it around the block.
A good synthetic like Amsoil ATF in the trans will help the cold shift feel a bit, I'd definately do that.
If there were no play in driveline parts, they wouldn't last more than a day. A ring an pinion with no backlash wouldn't make it around the block.
A good synthetic like Amsoil ATF in the trans will help the cold shift feel a bit, I'd definately do that.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 915
Likes: 1
From: UK
Cheers,
Ian.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,563
Likes: 2
From: Dallas Tx
Any synthetic that has the same Dex spec. The stuff Amsoil has that meets the spec and I've used many times with good results is just called Amsoil ATF. It meets the GM Dex spec.
http://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/atf.aspx
http://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/atf.aspx
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 125
From: laguna niguel ca
If there's one thing I hate about my C6, it's the bloody driveline sloppiness. At slow speeds, when crawling along in 1st, any change in throttle position usually results in the car 'kangaroo'ing' and is often accompanied by the diff clunking like someone has hit the housing with a damn hammer. It's a constant battle to work-around this is stop/go traffic by slipping the clutch and/or avoiding 1st gear. Additionally, I've noticed, when cold, the 2-3 shift borderline grates/crashes going into 3rd. It's not audible, but I can feel it through the shifter.
So, is a diff/trans oil change likely to improve the above issues? If so, should I stick with the OE oil, or go aftermarket? Bear in mind the car is a daily-driver and the oil must be able to copy with ambient temps from ~25f to ~95f.
Cheers,
Ian.
So, is a diff/trans oil change likely to improve the above issues? If so, should I stick with the OE oil, or go aftermarket? Bear in mind the car is a daily-driver and the oil must be able to copy with ambient temps from ~25f to ~95f.
Cheers,
Ian.
It's a car not a swiss watch, get over it. So it makes some noise and clunks. It will not negatively effect performance.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 915
Likes: 1
From: UK
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 1
From: El Paso TX
I certainly understand where u are coming from. I've always said that if I had to drive in rush hour traffic that I would get an automatic. I would definitely go with the Amsoil in the diff and trans. Makes a big difference in smoothing out shifts. Lastly, I would recommend the MGW shifter. While it won't help with driveline sloppiness it will definitely give you a much better feel when you shift gears. Makes the stock shifter look wimpy in comparison.
Good luck and report back what you decide to do.
Matt
Good luck and report back what you decide to do.
Matt
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: King George VA
Would appreciate anyone using the link that Michrider pasted above to buy AMSOIL (which bypasses the tagged forum vendor link to the left) use the reference number in my signature to ensure the sale is credited to my dealership and helps benefit the forum. Thanks. 
In amplification of the original question on AMSOIL fluid applications:
Tranny:
AMSOIL makes two fluids suitable for Dexron III applications (manual transmission requirement). These are:
AMSOIL ATF (stock # ATFQT)
AMSOIL Torque-Drive Synthetic Transmission Fluid (stock# ATD - comes in gallon jugs only)
I've been using the former in my 02 Z06 tranny for track duty for years without failure and added it to my 06 CTS-V (same tranny) last fall.
The ATD has a slightly higher viscosity and I'm considering switching to it in my Z06 this season. Either is really fine for the C6 manual transmission. The ATF is also suitable for Dexron VI and thus the C6 automatic transmission as well.
Diff:
AMSOIL Severe Gear Extreme Pressure Synthetic 75w90 (stock# SVGQT)
And for the C6 diff I recommend one bottle of:
AMSOIL Slip-Lock Differential Additive (stock# ADABA)
Been using the SVG in my 02 Z06 diff on the track for years, again without issue or diff failure (other than the common C5 left axle seal leak) and added it to my 06 CTS-V last fall.
In amplification of the original question on AMSOIL fluid applications:
Tranny:
AMSOIL makes two fluids suitable for Dexron III applications (manual transmission requirement). These are:
AMSOIL ATF (stock # ATFQT)
AMSOIL Torque-Drive Synthetic Transmission Fluid (stock# ATD - comes in gallon jugs only)
I've been using the former in my 02 Z06 tranny for track duty for years without failure and added it to my 06 CTS-V (same tranny) last fall.
The ATD has a slightly higher viscosity and I'm considering switching to it in my Z06 this season. Either is really fine for the C6 manual transmission. The ATF is also suitable for Dexron VI and thus the C6 automatic transmission as well.
Diff:
AMSOIL Severe Gear Extreme Pressure Synthetic 75w90 (stock# SVGQT)
And for the C6 diff I recommend one bottle of:
AMSOIL Slip-Lock Differential Additive (stock# ADABA)
Been using the SVG in my 02 Z06 diff on the track for years, again without issue or diff failure (other than the common C5 left axle seal leak) and added it to my 06 CTS-V last fall.
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AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program (Members buy at Wholesale - a savings of about 25%)
C66 Racing #66 NASA ST2, SCCA T2
AMSOIL Dealer (Forum Vendor)
AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program (Members buy at Wholesale - a savings of about 25%)
Last edited by C66 Racing; Feb 25, 2008 at 09:13 PM.
