Recommended Transmission Fluid for A523 5 speed Manual Trans (92 Spirit)

[CHRYNY]

What is the recommended fluid for an A523 5 speed Manal trans. Three different references give a different answer: shop manual list 5W30; Mitchell's lists 7176 ATF (+4); a web site lists 75-90W. The car is in Nj so the temp sometimes goes down to 0-10 degrees F in the Winter.

[contraption22]

factory fill was motor oil.

[cordes]

factory fill was motor oil.

Yep, good old 5w30 motor oil.

[135sohc]

Amsoil or any one of the purpose made manual transmission fluids approved for other new process/new venture gear transmissions would also work.

[shackwrrr]

The newer motor oil is not suitable for transmissions anymore they took alot of crap out of it that made it work. I drained my spirit of good old API SL and filled it with SM oil and instantly 3rd gear began to grind. It went like this for a while and it always ground in third gear. A few months ago I found a combo that works great and I have not had a bit of grinding since. I use 2 quarts of Synchromesh and top the trans up with standard ATF. This quieted down the neutral gear rattle and made it shift alot better.

[turbovanman²]

I would put in Synchromesh or Redline MTL.

[shackwrrr]

I would put in Synchromesh or Redline MTL.

When I ran strait synchromesh I actually still got some slight gear clash.

[turbovanman²]

When I ran strait synchromesh I actually still got some slight gear clash.

Hmmmm, I've never noticed it, maybe yours is on the cusp of being worn.

Amsoil is another great product, of course, :nod:

[CHRYNY]

Amsoil Synchrmesh is referred to as a replacement for 5W30 but not referred to as GL-4. Amsoil has a different product referred to as GL-4. Redline MTL is referred to as GL-4. Pennzoil does not seem to refer to its Synchromesh as GL-4, but I think GM calls its Synchomesh GL-4.
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/mtf.aspx
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/mtg.aspx
http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=45&pcid=7

Is it better to use a Synchomesh not referred to as GL-4 or a GL-4 in the 523 trans. or does it not really matter?

[shackwrrr]

Hmmmm, I've never noticed it, maybe yours is on the cusp of being worn.

Amsoil is another great product, of course, :nod:

I wont argue that, It does have around 300,000mi on it. Odo has been broken since the early 2000's and had 190K then so its got to be getting close if it isnt there yet. My point is that A little ATF wont hurt and theres no need to buy a third quart of 8 dollar synchromesh when you probably aren't going to get much more than a pint in it unless you installed the drain plug.

[135sohc]

Amsoil Synchrmesh is referred to as a replacement for 5W30 but not referred to as GL-4. Amsoil has a different product referred to as GL-4. Redline MTL is referred to as GL-4. Pennzoil does not seem to refer to its Synchromesh as GL-4, but I think GM calls its Synchomesh GL-4.
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/mtf.aspx
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/mtg.aspx
http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=45&pcid=7
Is it better to use a Synchomesh not referred to as GL-4 or a GL-4 in the 523 trans. or does it not really matter?

I used the amsoil '5w30' mtf. The other stuff is probably just as good but not necessary for our relatively light duty fwd units.

Overall as long as it says its safe for brass/yellow metals it should be fine to use.

[shackwrrr]

Since these are "high performance" oils and most likely to be used after the warranty was voided or expired they usually don't spend the money to have it certified. If you look most Amsoil oils are not API certified.

[CHRYNY]

Thanks for the comments/input from everyone.