>>Tranny Fluid Info and Experimenting Thread<< (Amsoil, Redline, USC, etc.)

[06wrx4me]

what mixture of redline and shock proof do you have?

JR is using 1.7qts of Shockproof and 2 qts Redline 75w90NS

has any one tried Royal Purple's Synchromax? I"m thinking to drop a court of the royal purple I have and put in some Synchromax... supposed to be good on soft metals found in snycho trannys

The only info I have found on here (I have searched a ton) is on the RP maxgear.

I suggest you go for it and report back. Then I'll add it to the review list on page 2.

[302@12psi]

Can I complicate this a little more and ask what difference if any would this stuff have in the six speed?

[06wrx4me]

Can I complicate this a little more and ask what difference if any would this stuff have in the six speed?

The 6MT tends to have fewer problems due to its oiling system being an internal pump instead of splash lubrication like the 5MT. But I can say that Redline shockproof is not recommended in the STi 6MT as it may clog the internal pump. This info is on redlines website and I believe page 1 of this thread.

ShockProof&#174; products work in a variety of differential and transmissions, however, should not be used with pumps, filters, and with small lines--these fluids are designed wet sump or splash type lubrication.

http://www.redlineoil.com/products_g...6&categoryID=6

Based on all my research, I would recommend a 75w90 with an additive in it for the 6MT. I would probably run the Amsoil SVG 75w90 with 4oz of Slip lock to help out the front LSD. Or perhaps a syncromesh blend.

[testes1010]

Lots of great info here. I was one of the '+ reviews' for straight Redline Shockproof Lightweight over 2 yrs ago. Guess what I'm still running it. >100k miles on the stock tranny/engine @ >350whp/340wtq.

[302@12psi]

The 6MT tends to have fewer problems due to its oiling system being an internal pump instead of splash lubrication like the 5MT. But I can conclusively say that Redline shockproof is not recommended in the STi 6MT as it may clog the internal pump. This info is on redlines website and I believe page 1 of this thread.




http://www.redlineoil.com/products_g...6&categoryID=6

Based on all my research, I would recommend a 75w90 with an additive in it for the 6MT. I would probably run the Amsoil SVG 75w90 with 4oz of Slip lock to help out the front LSD. Or perhaps a syncromesh blend.

I'm thinking of changing probaly in the spring. My first gear is hard as crap to get into when cold unless you are stopped. Second gear is horrible until the car is well warmed up.

2nd gear can be a bear even with double clutching (which should by pass the syncro) when cold.

[jogfrogjog]

did you notice any metal shavings?

[06wrx4me]

I'm thinking of changing probaly in the spring. My first gear is hard as crap to get into when cold unless you are stopped. Second gear is horrible until the car is well warmed up.

2nd gear can be a bear even with double clutching (which should by pass the syncro) when cold.

I do know based on viscosity comparo. that the MTG 75w90 from amsoil is 30% thinner in cold weather than the SVG, would require close to 8oz of slip lock to work properly, but would have much better cold weather characteristics.

[302@12psi]

I do know based on viscosity comparo. that the MTG 75w90 from amsoil is 30% thinner in cold weather than the SVG, would require close to 8oz of slip lock to work properly, but would have much better cold weather characteristics.

Do you know if these would meet "warranty" requirements? That's a fairly big deal to me.

[06wrx4me]

Do you know if these would meet "warranty" requirements? That's a fairly big deal to me.

Yes. The Amsoil SVG with slip lock would meet warranty requirements. It is API GL5 MT1 which is what Subaru recommends.

https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/svg.aspx

https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/ada.aspx

[SD_GR]

Lots of great info here. I was one of the '+ reviews' for straight Redline Shockproof Lightweight over 2 yrs ago. Guess what I'm still running it. >100k miles on the stock tranny/engine @ >350whp/340wtq.

How often to you change the fluid in your gearbox?

[06wrx4me]

http://www.driveperformance.subaru.c.../blueprint.asp

Interesting:

The gear set is mounted to a steel adaptor plate, which is bolted to the front of the differential casing. The transmission casing supports the gear set at the rear. This straightforward design adds to strength and durability.
To withstand the engine’s 300 lb-ft of torque, transmission gears require added hardening of their surfaces. Hardening the interior metal would make the gears fragile and susceptible to breakage, so the hardening process is applied only to the gear surfaces.
Subaru uses two processes to harden the gear teeth a carburizing heat treatment and quenching process, and a shot-peening process. Carburizing the steel gears involves exposing them to heat and carbon to form surfaces that are then hardened by quenching in a liquid. Shot peening bombards the surfaces of the gears with small metal pieces at high velocity, which is similar in concept to a blacksmith hammering steel into shape.
But remember, unlike a traditional two-wheel-drive vehicle where wheelspin is a common occurrence, Subaru All-Wheel Drive provides rock-solid traction. This same resistance to wheelspin can put a tremendous strain on a transmission gear set. The choice is yours. Drag racing any vehicle exposes a drivetrain to forces well beyond those of normal day-to-day driving. These types of failures are not a consideration of any manufacturer’s warranty. Sorry.

OILED AND PUMPED

The 6-speed transmission is lubricated by a trochoidal oil pump mounted at the rear of the unit. The pump has a 4-lobe inner rotor and 5-lobe outer rotor. Gear-driven by the center differential, the rotors force oil to the transmission’s main shaft, pinion shaft and transfer gears at a rate that depends on the center differential’s speed. A regulator and pressure-relief valve maintain oil pressure.
A pressurized system ensures a constant oil supply to the gearing while minimizing the amount of oil required within the transmission case. The oil level lies underneath most of the gearing, which reduces both friction and oil foaming. Reduced friction improves efficiency and performance, and keeping the oil from foaming helps to maintain oil quality and effectiveness.
While lubricating the transmission, the oil system also helps to cool it by carrying away heat from the gearing, which enhances durability and reliability.

[06wrx4me]

Found a Very Very informative write up on oils.

Interesting to this thread:

Both Redline 75w90 and Royal Purple Max Gear failed the Brookfield Viscosity@ -40&#176;C (-40&#176;F) for 75W-90.

Royal Purple and Lucas failed the cold-temperature Brookfield requirements for 75W gear
lubes, as well as the high-temperature requirements for SAE 90 gear lubes, effectively disqualifying them entirely from the
SAE 75W-90 category. Royal Purple Max-Gear, having also failed the Shear Stability Test, was the only gear lube to fail
every parameter of the SAE J306 requirements. Red Line was 14,100 cP over the maximum allowable viscosity at 164,100
cP,

http://www.syntheticwarehouse.com/br...lube_study.pdf

Posted conclusions, and the lowest score wins. Black denotes not failing any category. FYI: Castrol Hypoy C 80w90 is gear oil "Uncle Scotty on Nasioc" recommends for his USC.

[Big Sky WRX]

good read I think I'd feel a tiny bit better if the testing wasn't at the request of Amsoil- if you take them out though you get a good idea comparing the other gear oils to each other

[06wrx4me]

good read I think I'd feel a tiny bit better if the testing wasn't at the request of Amsoil- if you take them out though you get a good idea comparing the other gear oils to each other

Agreed, although the affidavits at the end kinda hammer it home . I think I have decided on a formulation.

2 qts of Redline Lightweight Shockproof
1.5 qts of Amsoil SVG 75w90.

1qt Redline lightweight shockproof in rear diff.

Initially I set out to replace the shockproof, but can not turn a blind eye to the overwhelming positive member reviews. I do not like the characteristics of the Syncromesh and doubt its necessity in the USC. I will send a sample of the old USC away to Blackstone for analysis and post the fluid change details here with pics and impressions.

[Sasquatch]

JR is using 1.7qts of Shockproof and 2 qts Redline 75w90NS

It is the other way around; 2 qts of Shockproof, ~1.7 of Redline 75w90 NS. I am very happily using the same. It has transformed the way the WRX feels more than I could have imagined. This cocktail works great down to temps in the upper teens (that is as cold as I have seen this winter).

Use this mix.

To add to this I have over 10k on my Redline mixture and it is still as wonderful as the day I put it in. I have absolutely zero intention of switching to something else as IMO there is simply no need. The transmission just works exactly as it should.

I also intend on running a few SCCA ProSolo events this year and having the Shockproof in the trans should be helpful for the standing starts.