Guys,

Since I've switched over to Amsoil gear oil in my manual tranny, my shifting from 1st to 2nd is not as smooth anymore. i believe its because the gear oil is a bit too slippery.

I know I've read a few threads here of people here (3?) using Redline MT-90 in their manual trannies. From what I've read, nothing but good things have been said.

However, how long has anyone here been using MT-90? Any long-term opinions?

Thanks,
Bob

 

I blew a tranny using Redline MTL 90. Of course, the tranny may have blew regardless of the oil due to my "G-force" style shifting back in the day. I destroyed a 3rd gear synchro in my Mazda Truck right after I changed over to Redline MTL.

 

I ran it for YEARS in all the gearboxes on my Supra. Great stuff IMHO.

G

 

I ran Redline fluids in all my gear boxes in my AWD Eclipse and over 7 seasons of drag racing and 90,000 miles I never had any problems with anything and my parts showed very little wear after a teardown to replace 3rd gear which cracked.

 

 

I have run Redline in my transaxles (VW) for many years. Both street and race cars with good results. I also run Redline in our Jeep Cherokee and it is the worst shifting (manual trans) car I've ever driven, period.
I would like to go synthetic in my 4Runner but there is no way on earth that I'd consider Redline from all the poor results I've read both here and at Tacoma Territories. It's like Toyota truck transmissions reject the stuff or something.
I think I'll use Mobil 1.
Mike

 

Guys,

Lemme differentiate: they have two MT fluids:

- MTL
- MT-90

In laymen's terms, MTL is slippery. MT-90 is not as slippery. From my reading, MTL's properties are very similar to the Amsoil that is currently in my MT.

Anyways, some scary feedback. Might have to rethink this one. The other option was to buy GM Synchomesh MT fluid (or something like that).

Bob

 

A friend got a little overzealous with a 3rd gear shift with the clutch not fully depressed so technically I didn't hurt it.

The tranny was tore down for a rebuilt once (ran a 2600lb clutch for 5 of it's 8 years I had it) and sustained 374 strip launches and more than I'll admit on the street,a few track/autocross events here and there and of course the torturous stop and go city traffic and the Redline stuff did it's job.

I'm getting ready to do the Runner with Redline here before summer.

 

OIC, dont let that friend drive your runner!

 

Bob-

That is correct, the MTL was used in my Civic and the 90 in my old truck. I blew the 3rd gear synchro on both of them right after the install. Again, probably my own doing!

You sure it isnt the "cold" weather that's causing the notch shifting? Wait till summer and see what you think. I run the same fluid as you right now. No problems.

 

I won't even let him use my chainsaw.

 

Bob,
Don't be afraid of the Redline. Many of my racing buddies use them in their cars (12sec DSM, 13 sec Turbo Integra, 13 sec all motor Civic) and none of them had had any problems with it.
The MR2 guys like it link
I have MT-90 in my AWD Celi, and no complaints here.

Good info on the MTL and MT-90
link

I ordered it from the same website. If you look at the MR2 site I gave you, there is a discount code you can enter for 10% off.

 

[QUOTE=SLC Punk]Bob,
Don't be afraid of the Redline. QUOTE]

Elevation: 8,750 Feet above sea level
Temp: -25 F easily some nights
Tranny: Manual 5spd
Fluid: Redline MT-90
Since: Nov 2003

 

I found that my shifting in my Galant VR-4 was best when I ran 50% MTL and 50% MT90. Mitsi Tranny's are not know to shift well and mine still feels like a new tranny after living on the Redline 50/50 mix for the last 100k miles. That would be my suggestion. Redline is GREAT STUFF! Oh, do not run their Shock Proof stuff. It is not needed unless you are drag racing and shifting without a clutch. When it is cold (like below 50 outside) thoil gets thick enough that it shifts very poorly until it is warmed up.

 

Synthetic should behave MUCH better in the cold. My old VW's shifted like it was the middle of summer after I switched to Redline. If I paid the money for Redline and my truck shifted poorly in the cold, I'd be ticked-off.
The Toyota dealer near here is using Kendall synthetic I think.
In any case, there have been way too many guys here reporting WORSE shifting in the warm and cold with Redline in my opinion.
Mike

 

Galant VR4

I almost bought one of those when I was shopping for a sports car. The ultimate sleeper!

 

MT-90 is the only gear oil I'll ever put in my tranny and t-case. I used to run synthetic Mobil-1 in both boxes and wasn't really happy w/ how it felt when shifting the tranny. "Crunchy" is the only word I can think of right now to describe it. Switched over to MT-90 and noticed a huge difference. Shifting hardly takes any effort and it's silky smooth compared to when I ran Mobil-1. In fact, I've grown accustomed to just curling my index finger around the shifter just below the shifter ball to shift.

 

I switched to MT-90 at about 150K on my tranny. I did it originally to get rid of my notchy 2nd gear. It worked! It's been great since and I have now 210K miles on the tranny. Roger Brown turned me on to it. I also use redline(the red stuff) in my differentials as well. Great stuff but not cheap!

 

Gold Taco
Read my post carefully. I said it will shift poorly if you use the Redline SHOCKPROOF Gear Oil. This is designed for racers shifting without a clutch. It is not designed for street use. I mentioned it because people have a tendency to buy to "best stuff" and, in this case, it is not needed and over kill.

I love my Galant but will probably be selling it now that I have my 4Runner. My VR-4 hauls ass!

 

I've been running the 75w-90 in my differentials for some time now and it's been pretty good. I had all kinds of chatter from my wheels when I would turn out into traffic and after I put redline in, the chatter was completely gone. I actually just put the MT-90 in the transmission last night and so far (one 30 mile trip into work) it seems pretty smooth. Even after sitting out in the cold all night.

E