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Thread: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD

  1. #1
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor
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    520 Transmission Oil for my DD

    I have seen TONS of thoughts on fluild for my 520 but thought I would ask for my specific needs.

    1)Need to work at as cold as -10F or so (as I am in Toronto Canada -20C to -25C, for a week or so a year)
    2) Car is DD,with 65K miles on the clock ( 87 TI )

    -Currently using circa 50/50 Mobil 1 5W30/stock 5W30(from factory fill) since 1988. It works OK, once a month, or so Reverse to 1st is stiff for one shift and goes away.

    -What I have available locally, various dino and synthetics 5W30, Royal Purple, Penzoil + GM syncromesh (friction modified).
    - I also have 2 L GM syncromesh friction modified on my shelf.

    I have also read that people fill the tranny to the fill line and then lift her up on the driver's side to add another 1/2 quart.
    Last edited by chromguy; 11-16-2015 at 12:36 PM.

  2. #2
    turbo addict
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    Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD

    Quote Originally Posted by chromguy View Post
    -Currently using circa 50/50 Mobil 1 5W30/stock 5W30(from factory fill) since 1988.
    Keep using it.

  3. #3
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor
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    Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD

    Thanks Harry,
    Oh, the rear disk brakes I bought from you are working great! I need to create new dust shields for the hubs, but I will create a new thread to show my bronze shields!

  4. #4
    boostaholic bfarroo's Avatar
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    Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD

    redline MTL may be worth a try.

  5. #5
    Rhymes with tortoise. Turbo Mopar Staff cordes's Avatar
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    Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD

    Quote Originally Posted by bfarroo View Post
    redline MTL may be worth a try.
    I would agree. I'm worried that the lack of various additives in current oil is probably effecting our transmissions.

  6. #6
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor GLHS60's Avatar
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    Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD

    Plain engine oil, overfilled, is preferred, I run #30 on mine but others like thinner.

    The trans intermediate shaft appreciates the viscosity and overfilling.

    1989 and newer with the fiber synchros should have fiber compatible fluid.

    Synthetic can, not always, negatively effect synchros and their ability to synchronize.

    Synchro rattle can be reduced, or eliminated, with viscosity.

    Thanks
    Randy


    There is no logical reason to call an Engine a motor.

    Randy Hicks
    86 GLHS60
    86 GLHS 373 : SOLD, but never forgotten
    89 Turbo Minivan
    83 Turbo Rampage : SOLD
    Edmonton,Alberta,Canada

  7. #7
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor mopar-tech's Avatar
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    Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD

    Quote Originally Posted by GLHS60 View Post
    Plain engine oil, overfilled, is preferred, I run #30 on mine but others like thinner.

    The trans intermediate shaft appreciates the viscosity and overfilling.

    1989 and newer with the fiber synchros should have fiber compatible fluid.

    Synthetic can, not always, negatively effect synchros and their ability to synchronize.

    Synchro rattle can be reduced, or eliminated, with viscosity.

    Thanks
    Randy
    All correct- Matter of fact back in the day when there was customer complaint about gear rattle 15W-40 was the fill of choice per Mopar at the time.


    Working on clearing the decks.

  8. #8
    Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff Force Fed Mopar's Avatar
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    Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD

    I've been running 5w20 in my 568, seems to work fine.
    Rob M.
    '89 Turbo GTC

    2.5 TIII stroker, 568 w/ OBX and 3.77 FD

  9. #9
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor
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    Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD

    Quote Originally Posted by GLHS60 View Post
    Plain engine oil, overfilled, is preferred, I run #30 on mine but others like thinner.

    The trans intermediate shaft appreciates the viscosity and overfilling.

    1989 and newer with the fiber synchros should have fiber compatible fluid.

    Synthetic can, not always, negatively effect synchros and their ability to synchronize.

    Synchro rattle can be reduced, or eliminated, with viscosity.

    Thanks
    Randy
    How much overfill?

  10. #10
    Hybrid booster
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    Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD

    All of the above are good choices. I switched to Pennzoil Synchromesh in my daily and feel the shift quality improved somewhat, particularly when cold.

    Regarding overfilling, if you jack the driver's side up and fill it to the bottom of the fill plug hole, you can fit ~3 quarts in.

  11. #11
    turbo addict
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    Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD

    For the cold weather stuff, I would go with what the guy in Winterpeg uses ^^^^

  12. #12

    Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD

    Quote Originally Posted by Force Fed Mopar View Post
    I've been running 5w20 in my 568, seems to work fine.
    There have been several threads on this before, but with the removal of ZDDP from motor oil, most deem it not proper for manual transmissions...

    I currently run Pennzoil Synchromesh because it is locally available...


  13. #13
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor
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    Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD

    Quote Originally Posted by shadow88 View Post
    For the cold weather stuff, I would go with what the guy in Winterpeg uses ^^^^
    I have been to Winterpeg in January at -273.15C with a strong humid wind......not fun. OK it may have been a bit warmer than that!

  14. #14
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor GLHS60's Avatar
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    Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD

    Quote Originally Posted by chromguy View Post
    How much overfill?
    About a pint.

    Just my opinion, but cold weather shift quality would not be a priority for me and where I live it gets cold!!
    If the viscosity is so thin to shift easy on a cold morning, its possibly not adequate when warm, placing the trans. intermediate shaft in jeopardy. The possible penalty of warming up the engine and trans for a few seconds when cold is not worth the possible intermediate shaft durability trade off driving for hours on end after warm up.

    Thanks
    Randy


    There is no logical reason to call an Engine a motor.

    Randy Hicks
    86 GLHS60
    86 GLHS 373 : SOLD, but never forgotten
    89 Turbo Minivan
    83 Turbo Rampage : SOLD
    Edmonton,Alberta,Canada

  15. #15
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor
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    Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD

    Quote Originally Posted by GLHS60 View Post
    About a pint.

    Just my opinion, but cold weather shift quality would not be a priority for me and where I live it gets cold!!
    If the viscosity is so thin to shift easy on a cold morning, its possibly not adequate when warm, placing the trans. intermediate shaft in jeopardy. The possible penalty of warming up the engine and trans for a few seconds when cold is not worth the possible intermediate shaft durability trade off driving for hours on end after warm up.

    Thanks
    Randy
    I understand your point and agree, which is why I am considering the RedLine MTL fluid. It is claimed to be engineered to have a small viscosity change over the transmission operating range.

  16. #16
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor
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    Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD

    I added 1.5L 5W30 Mobil 1 as it was the only oil I have in the shop. So now the blend is approx 75%Mobil 1 5W30 and 25%Dino 5W30 ( from the original factory fill).

    The shifting sucks but will get me back and forth to work for a few days. I will report back

  17. #17
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor GLHS60's Avatar
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    Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD

    If you haven't already added a drain plug I think its good option to consider.
    I've changed mine many times over the years trying different lubes.
    I've been "blending" my own engine oil for years too.

    Thanks
    Randy


    There is no logical reason to call an Engine a motor.

    Randy Hicks
    86 GLHS60
    86 GLHS 373 : SOLD, but never forgotten
    89 Turbo Minivan
    83 Turbo Rampage : SOLD
    Edmonton,Alberta,Canada

  18. #18
    Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff Force Fed Mopar's Avatar
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    Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD

    Quote Originally Posted by c2xejk View Post
    There have been several threads on this before, but with the removal of ZDDP from motor oil, most deem it not proper for manual transmissions...

    I currently run Pennzoil Synchromesh because it is locally available...

    Hmm, in which case that would apply to any engine oil, regardless of weight, or conventional and synthetic? Other than race oils possibly like VR1, which aren't usually easy to find in light weights.

    I have 3 qts of Valvoline Synchromesh in the shop, probably should go ahead and use that and try it out. I was just a little worried because Cliff said he didn't like it in our trannies, but if others are running it without ill effects...
    Rob M.
    '89 Turbo GTC

    2.5 TIII stroker, 568 w/ OBX and 3.77 FD

  19. #19
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor
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    Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD

    Quote Originally Posted by GLHS60 View Post
    If you haven't already added a drain plug I think its good option to consider.
    I've changed mine many times over the years trying different lubes.
    I've been "blending" my own engine oil for years too.

    Thanks
    Randy
    I was thinking of drilling and tapping as it is in the car. I seen a writeup by Turbovanman that seemed easy. I believe I have a 3/8"npt tap in the shop.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by Force Fed Mopar View Post
    Hmm, in which case that would apply to any engine oil, regardless of weight, or conventional and synthetic? Other than race oils possibly like VR1, which aren't usually easy to find in light weights.

    I have 3 qts of Valvoline Synchromesh in the shop, probably should go ahead and use that and try it out. I was just a little worried because Cliff said he didn't like it in our trannies, but if others are running it without ill effects...
    I did read today that Cliff likes the RedLine MTL.

  20. #20
    Hybrid booster
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    Re: 520 Transmission Oil for my DD

    Pennzoil® Synchromesh Fluid is a manual transmission fluid designed for certain manual transaxles and manual transmissions used by General Motors or Chrysler. Pennzoil® Synchromesh manual transmission fluid is formulated with high-quality paraffinic base stocks, a fluidity modifier, multifunctional performance additives, corrosion inhibitors, a foam suppressor and a shear stable viscosity index improver additive. It provides excellent oxidation stability, low-temperature performance, excellent synchronizer performance and compatibility with yellow metals, such as bronze, brass and copper components found in manual transaxles and transmissions. Synchromesh manual transmission fluid will satisfactorily lubricate General Motors or Chrysler manual transaxles and transmissions from -40 C to +150 C.
    The synchromesh fluid is designed for transaxles originally requiring motor oil or ATF from the factory (it's factory fill for some newer GM and Chrysler units). I have used it for years without experiencing any bearing or intermediate shaft failures (I inspected the transaxle when it was out for a clutch R/R and did not note any abnormal wear).

    While I agree in a warmer climate (or a summer only vehicle) that a thicker viscosity oil would be ideal, in winter climates (particularly Winnipeg, which can get down to -43°C) I rather have an oil that can provide adequate lubrication at sub-zero temperatures and give decent shift quality.

    In my turbo car (which doesn't see winter use), I run Redline MTL. I use Synchromesh in my beater as it's cheaper than the Redline fluid.

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