Today I put a couple of quarts of MTL in my S2000's transmission. I used a gear oil pump, as I could not for the life of me figure out how some of you found room underneath this small car to do a gravity feed, or squeeze it into the filler.

Anyway, the car had not been driven in a week, as I wanted to get as much of the old fluid out as possible, and also I wanted to simulate the infamous S2000 "first 1-2 shift blues" many have reported, and which I have reported as being more like a "1-2 lunge", being difficult to tell if 2nd gear had been engaged.

Well, the install went easily enough - you just need a 3/8" drive and a 17mm wrench or socket (I used my Facom box wrench). I re-used all the gaskets and tightened the bolts just a tad past snug.

I had Red Line make my MTL up in amber color, so any casual check by the dealer during an inspection will not tattletale a red fluid, which they would assume to be an ATF, and get on my case, or even worse, make a note on my service record that might be used later.

I backed the car out of the driveway so as yet no 1-2 shift had occurred. I engaged the clutch for a smooth takeoff, and took it up to only 3500 RPM, my typical "cold-start" RPM, pushed in the clutch pedal, and snicked the Team Voodoo knob towards 2nd gearland. It was a snick - just as smooth and precise as going from 3rd to 4th! No notchiness, no lunge, just smooth positive engagement. So the cold-start passed the RR test.

Then it was off for a spirited run down Old Gun Road (doncha just love that name?), the site of homes of Richmond's movers and shakers, and also a delightful mix of curves and varying road surfaces, requiring plenty of shifts, especially heel-and-toe shifts.I wanted to simulate track conditions and get the fluid good and hot.

Well, I was delighted with the results I obtained with MTL. Even with the car's temp at 8 bars, shifts were precise and had plenty of feel, allowing me to yank more positively on the stick, for fast shifts. I never was able to beat the synchros - they did their job quicker than I was doing mine.

So in conclusion, I am delighted with the performance, and will continue to report back as I start to rack-up some miles, and as temperatures swing into the 80's and 90's. For now, MTL is on the RR-approved list for MY04 S2000's, and in my signature lube recommendations. Your results may vary.

Stay tuned.

 

Pardon my ignorance but I see that there's MTL and MTL-90 on the Redline web site. What's the practical difference, which one did you use (I assume just MTL) and why?

Thanks.

 

I run a 5-6 ft. piece of 3/8" tubing down through the engine bay and in to the tranny housing. From there I prop a funnel between the brake fluid and clutch fluid and let the tranny fluid drain down in to the housing. After the second quart goes in, if there is any back up, I just remove the funnel and blow the rest through the tube. It's pretty easy and mess free. I just coil the tube up, put it in a freezer storage bag, and save it for next time.



MT-90 is amber in color. I wonder why they chose red with the MTL?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jguerdat
Pardon my ignorance but I see that there's MTL and MTL-90 on the Redline web site.

 

honda606: Yeah, i was thinking about the "do it from above trick" - thx for confirming that the hosing route is capable. MTL is a 70w80, same as a 10w30 for all intents and purposes in terms of thickness.

jgeurdat:
MT-90 is as honda606 said - a thicker version of MTL. I posted their chemistry last week.

Now, about the colors:
The last time I ordered, Red line would make up MT-90 and MTL in either red or amber. I wrote them today to see if they still will allow "menu" ordering. Last time, I got a case of half and half red/amber. But i go back to the early 80's with these guys.

 

Well, I put in some Redline MTL in last week. It was amber, off the self at a local garage, just for a data point.

I concur with Road Rage, it is slick from a cold start up to operating temperature. It's around 10 celsius (~50F) right now, no Texas heat. The Honda MTL required some warm up to get smooth shifting. The one noticable thing on my '02 transmission, is that I can feel the mechanical movements inside the transmission more, almost like oil is "thinner" even though it isn't. I can still grind 1-2 and 2-3 when shifting really fast and hard on purpose. Note that grinding was never really an issue for me with Honda MTL or Redline MTL. Just don't expect Redline to be the magical anti-grind cure.

 

I have tried MTL and am absolutely sure it is too thin for my gearbox (

 

RR, you have an 04' dont they allready have the improved synchros, and is a better transmission than my 00'? so does it shift better anyway? just a thought for those of us with the older cars.

 

I put in MT-90 (mine was amber) yesterday, and finally had a chance to have a decent run today. Here in Chicago it was sunny and 80*F. While cold, shifting from 2nd to 1st approaching a stop is stiff, but eased up to a buttery feeling after warmup. Every gear change is absolutely buttery smooth, just that little "snick-snick" that feels sooo good under the right hand. I'm quite happy.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cdelena
I have tried MTL and am absolutely sure it is too thin for my gearbox (