Trying to decide on what tranny fluid to use...
 

My tranny is coming back from Shep this week and I'm trying to decide what tranny fluid I should use in it. I just got the basic AWD rebuild and I don't plan on dragging or making lots of power anytime soon. He recommends Pennzoil Synchromesh for most cars, and I've heard other's say Red Line, and up until now I've been using Royal Purple 75W90. What are your experiences with Red Line, Pennzoil Synchromesh, and Royal Purple? I know there was a related thread about this before but all I still don't understand what the differences are between the three. (The car is a 97 GSX)

Re: Trying to decide on what tranny fluid to use...
 

Neo.

Re: Trying to decide on what tranny fluid to use...
 

Redline; 2 quarts MT-90 and 1 quart MTL. Royal Purple is a decent fluid when new, but it does not have a long life at all. Neo is better suited for straight racecars and is very expensive. Synchromesh is nothing to write home about, I used it and was far from impressed.

Re: Trying to decide on what tranny fluid to use...
 

BG Synchroshift II

Re: Trying to decide on what tranny fluid to use...
 

I have used Pennzoil Syncromesh (Same as GM Syncromesh) In all my DSM trannys. I thought the shifting was vastly improved. You're gonna hear a lot of different opinions about the tranny fluid, just know that all of the fluids listed will work a lot better than just a normal one. It's just up to you to find one YOU like. I'd say try the syncromesh; it's the cheapest out of them all ($5/qt). You can get it at Autozone.

Another way to prolong your tranny is to shift nice and slow. Definately not good if you're trying to race someone, but for normal driving just shift nice and slow, almost pause inbetween gears. And don't downshift to engine brake... just use your brakes :)

Re: Trying to decide on what tranny fluid to use...
 

Re: Trying to decide on what tranny fluid to use...
 

Didn't like that stuff either when I used it.

I think tranny fluids come down to personal opinion (just like engine oil a lot of the time) and your certain transmission. Take the recomendations here (whoever's you trust most) and go from there and find one you like, everybody will like something different.

Re: Trying to decide on what tranny fluid to use...
 

Redline products.

Re: Trying to decide on what tranny fluid to use...
 

I still have to get off my lazy ass and put redline in mine. I am currently using GM's synchromesh and I am not 1 bit impressed. I saw no difference between it and the regular old Valvoline stuff I put in it before. Redline is my next brand I'm going to try.

Re: Trying to decide on what tranny fluid to use...
 

I found Royal Purple to be thin and feel pretty notchy. Redline felt pretty good, but just a bit notchy. BG is not notchy, but feels thicker and doesn't shift quite as quickly. Neo is the shit.

2 qts of BGII and 1 qt of MTL or Royal Purple would probably be a sweet combo. For winter driving I liked the Redline the best. The BG got pretty thick.

Re: Trying to decide on what tranny fluid to use...
 

BG SyncroMesh II FTW

Re: Trying to decide on what tranny fluid to use...
 

I like the bg syncro stuff! I have used it in all my dsm's!

Re: Trying to decide on what tranny fluid to use...
 

I had redline for a wile, then rebuilt my trans and switched to syncromesh, so i couldnt really tell you if it was the oil or the rebuild, probly the rebuild but im happy with the syncromesh.