I am not totally pleased with my recent installation of Red Lne 75/90 Synthetic MTL; notchiness is not totally gone and want to consider trying the GM product. Any additional comments other than what has been posted already??

 

You live in a general locale where the weather is "similar" to ours here, but not as cold or snowy. I put the GM stuff into another Calgary S2000 owner's car only a couple of weeks ago. He's dumping it real soon. If he doesn't see this post, PM him to ask why. "FormerH22a4"
When I test drove his car after the fluid change, I could only notice a very slight difference in feel that could have been attributed to my imagination. It really didn't feel much improved over the Honda MTF that I had in my car since last spring. But then, I've never had the gear grinds and severe notchiness that many have reported.

 

I can't speak for the GM brand, I can however state that my change at 10,000 miles made a very noticeable improvement. I stayed with Honda MTF. I lost the 3rd gear notchiness -- but don't ask me why.

 

I'd say give the GM a try at least, it may work for you. Others have liked the switch. Mine has worked alright, nothing bad. IT has helped in engaging 2nd in the first 5 minutes of departure but other than that has felt similar to Honda MTF.

I am going to switch back to Honda MTF soon since I actually like the feel of Honda MTF after it has warmed up to normal temps. The GM fluid has been better in the warming up phase up to normal tranny temps, which can take up to 10-15minutes of operation. The Honda MTF when warm gives me a better resistance feel than the GM. I am still relatively a newbie to MT so like the guide that the resistance and shifter springs provide.

The GM fluid is more forgiving than Honda MTF though. My hand has slipped off the shifter a few times with no ill affects where if I did that with Honda MTF, there might be a minor grind.

 

xviper, formerH22a4

How much of this do you think is because of your climate. Do you think that the GM MT fluid would make more difference in an area with a more moderate temperature?

I don't think it should, but what do you think? Many people have reported great results yet the two of you sound less impressed with it.

 

I can't speak for Former but I couldn't honestly tell that his car was "significantly" different than mine. The temp when I test drove his car was in the mid to high teens (Celcius) so I haven't driven it since it's gotten colder. All I can say is that I have driven Former's car with Honda MTF and with the GM stuff. I could not say with any certainty that the two felt different. Hopefully, Former will comment about how the tranny feel has changed, if at all, during the last few days of much cooler weather.
It has been suggested that those who have had good experiences with the GM fluid "might" have noticed a great improvement had they simply changed with MTF also. Any new fluid change will most likely give a better "feel". Fluids are a funny business and each person must go with what works best for their car.

 

The temperature here has been below freezing the last couple days. I personally think for me Honda MTF works better when warm and when the weather is warm. My only beef with Honda MTF is the first 5 minutes after 1st departure of the day.

Here is the comparison:

Honda MTF

1st--------------normal
2nd (cold)------------tough to engage
2nd (warm)-----------smooth
3rd----------sometimes notchy
4th--------------normal
5th--------------normal
6th--------------normal
rev--------------normal

GM Synchromesh

1st -----------normal
2nd (cold)--------easier to engage
2nd (warm)----------few more notchy instances
3rd-------------rarely notchy
4th--------------normal
5th-------------normal
6th-------------normal
rev--------------very smooth(easy)

**Note this GM Synchromesh is the Canadian version, don't know if the US and Canadian versions are the same or not.


Basically the outcome is I traded 3rd gear notch for more prone 2nd gear notch from the switch to GM.

 

xviper, former

Thanks for the reply. I've been thinking about using the GM fluid. My trans is not so bad, and in light of what both of you have said, I think I'll leave well enough alone. I think I'll stick with the Honda MTF.

 

I've used both Red Line MTL and MT90. During the winter time, on cold days I've noticed the synthetic tranny oil shifts easier right away, it doesn't have to warm-up. When shifting, the transmission does not feel as stiff. I also use Red Line 75W-90 hypoid gear oil in the differential.

My car now has a little over 14,000 miles and I 've noticed that not only does the engine continue to strengthen ( up to around 12,000 mi. ), the transmission is also smoothing out.
It may take may take along period of time to break-in the transmission just like the engine.

I've followed different transmission threads, including GM MTL and post by woodwork and cmnsnse and have explored some of their advice. One suggestion was to slightly over fill the transmission. So I asked my local Honda Tech about that, he thought that it would be beneficial, especially if the car is driven hard.
Two quarts was suggested, so this last time I put 2qts. in the transmission. I also tried mixing 1qt. MTL with 1 qt. MT90. It seems that MTL maybe to lite and MT-90 might be to heavy. Last month I went to the Dragonball Run and tested this new combination out. And was pleased with its performance. It takes about 20 minutes ( just guessing here ) to run the Dragon head to tail. And I did this about 15 times over 3 days. Each run would be like taking about 3 laps or so at a road coarse. The transmission shifted fast and smooth even when very hot.

I change my transmission fluid about every 4,000-5,000 miles or when the transmission no longer feels smooth.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by StwoK
[B]One suggestion was to slightly over fill the transmission.