red03vette

i was thinking of changing my trans oil this winter while my Vette is off the road for the winter. i wanted to use the GM part # 88861800 as per some recommendations from forum members in the know. keep in mind I live in Canada, so i called my local dealer and they can't find any such part #? so is there a US to CDN part # change that anyone on here knows of? if not, what would be best? i'd like to try something synthetic. right now the oil is only a few thousand miles old but when the car is cold its hard shifting and a little "crunchy" is the way i would describe it, once warmed up it shifts good.


thank you,

voda1

in Canada 88861801

01pewtervert

I believe the GM fluid is mineral based, not synthetic. This is another hot topic with many strong feelings one way or another. For synthetic you can consider Redline, Amsoil, or Mobil 1 ATF. Make sure it meets Dexron III specs.

red03vette

wow! Thank you

red03vette

thanks good to know Mobil 1 ATF sounds interesting.

vettenuts

That part number is actually the old Dextron III transmission fluid and meets your requirements. Many have said this fluid shifts better than synthetic but I have not used it myself.

oemtech

After talking to the Allison engineer that spec'd and approved OEM's I used Transynd 295 in my 6 speed Tremec 6060 I had in my Dodge Hemi. I also used it in my 83 Monte Carlo 350 auto as it is backward compatible to Dex III.

Bill Curlee

AMSOIL makes a very good ATF that works excellent in ALL of the C5 MN6/MN12 gear boxes. It is compatible to the early MN6 and late MN6/MN12 gear boxes.

TORQUE DRIVE Synthetic ATF (ATD) . Just google AMSOIL Torque Drive and there are pages on the product. I run it in my 02 ZO6 when it was an MN12. Changed it to a MN12 / T60/T60 conversion and it performs excellent in that configuration also.

jackthelad

All it needs (per the people at Tremec) is a lubricant which meets the "old" GM DEX III spec. Plenty of choice in the parts stores. I used Valvoline DEX/Merc - labelled for GM cars requiring DEX III, which IIRC was less than $20/gallon jug from the local Walmart.

red03vette

didn't know that, thanks

red03vette

Thanks everyone for the replies! Looks like I have a little research ahead of me, that's okay there is no rush, the vette is in the garage till spring.

jackthelad

One word of warning. There have been reports of people being told that they should use DEX VI instead of DEX III, as it is "the replacement". DEX VI is STRICTLY for automatics. GM bulletins warn that it can lead to failure if used in manual transmissions.

red03vette

Thank you! Don't want to do that! Just called my local Chevrolet dealer and they have the oil in stock under the Canadian part #88861801 so I'm probably gonna give that a try and see if it shifts any better she's off the road for the winter so I'll have to report back in the spring