Transmission Fluid??

[Doug]

he's making something so easy into something difficult

[Doc Fizzix]

he's making something so easy into something difficult

It is not all that easy

I have upgraded to a limitted slip diff, so now the question is: "should I be using a different grade of gear oil?" There is little information out there on this and I have been told that the GL-5 can not be used with GL-4 systems because it is very bad on yellow metal.

Now the real challange, I can not find any stores that carry RedLine MTL in the Austin area nor the recomended Castrol. So what I have been trying to find out is if there are any other brands that have ben used and know to work. I could order the RedLine online but I would also like to know what other people have been using. So, making it difficult? No, just trying to find out what other people are using, thus the name of this thread.

[DeeAitch]

I installed my Quaife in a brand new box and used Redline! Only 1000 miles to date so I hope it lasts!

[Ekapol]

I've been using RedLine SAE 75W90 GL-5+ for 4 months now. My mechanic topped it up like half a quart or so

[Dico]

Yo Doc

Doc, i have no experience with oils so i just went with what was recomended of this site Redline MTL which i got from Here but as Neil quoted Castrol TAF-X should be good enough

I'm with stupid Redline MTL.

We could all fuxk up our boxes together

[Doc Fizzix]

After conversations with Matt Simmons at Quaife I have been told to use a 70-90 weight lube. I have found a Red Line MT-90 that would meet all the requirements. I have also been talking with the Isuzu owners who are using the same LSD as the Elan and this is what they are using. If you are in the US, here is a link:

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku

[Dave M]

Hey, Doc. I'm a little late getting to this thread, but I'm also using the Redline MTL which is an 75W80. I've had it in ever since I've had the car and the last 4 years since getting the Quaife. Maybe I'll switch to the MT-90 next time I need to change...

[Ekapol]

Is RedLine SAE 75W90 GL-5+ OK?
Or I'm already toasted.

[algirdas]

Dear Ekapol:

I'm no expert so I won't even venture a guess. But attached is some information I pulled off of Redline's web page. If I understand it correctly, GL-5 is corrosive to your synchros and will shorten their life span by one-half. That is what the Redline people say.

Worst case, dump the GL-5, run Mobil 1 in the tranny for a while and then dump it and stick in GL-4. In other words, use the Mobil 1 as a flush oil. That is what I am doing since I bought the car and have no record of the tranny oil ever having been changed. I'll just swish the Mobil 1 around for a few months and dump it just to clean out the box before putting in the MTL.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

PS In other words, don't go looking for Doug or your local mechanic with a battle-axe in the hope of going medieval on them, or go jumping off the Bay Bridge because GL-5 is in there.

[Doc Fizzix]

Is RedLine SAE 75W90 GL-5+ OK?
Or I'm already toasted.

Everything I have been told is that GL-5 is NOT backwards compatable

[Doug]

If there's a tranny fluid issue it is not from the fluid I had in there but rather what he already changed it for -- just clearing the air for others . . .

if there's an Issue then I agree with Algirdas' suggestion.

[Monty]

Just dug out the empty bottle i used and it`s Redline MTL SAE 70w80 GL-4.

[Doug]

Redline MTL =

[Doc Fizzix]

Redline MTL =

NO!


Redline MT-90!!!!

If you have a limited slip diff then you should use the MT-90 since this has the correct weight as required by Quaife

[Doug]

just quoting Redline's website:

MTL: "This 70W80 GL-4 Gear Oil (SAE 5W30/10W30 engine oil viscosity) is designed for use in manual transmissions and transaxles."

MT90: "this is a 75W90 GL-4 Gear Oil that’s slightly heavier than MTL."

[Doc Fizzix]

just quoting Redline's website:

MTL: "This 70W80 GL-4 Gear Oil (SAE 5W30/10W30 engine oil viscosity) is designed for use in manual transmissions and transaxles."

MT90: "this is a 75W90 GL-4 Gear Oil that’s slightly heavier than MTL."

You are correct sir. This is what Quaife told me to use, 75W90 GL-4, that means you go with MT-90 if you are using the limited slip diff

[algirdas]

Dear All:

Reading between the lines, I see two trends forming: Those users with limited slips and those without. Those with a Quaife should use the heavier Redline MT-90 GL-4 lubricant because that is what Quaife says to use as per Doc. Those without should probably use the Redline MTL GL-4 lubricant because it is closer to the viscosity specified by Lotus (engine oil equivalent i.e. 5w-30 or 10w-30) for a stock box.

Ok, what have I missed?

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[Monty]

In the PDF file from Quaife

When running Quaife ATB diff in a standard gearbox use manufacture recommendations)

[Doc Fizzix]

In the PDF file from Quaife

When running Quaife ATB diff in a standard gearbox use manufacture recommendations)

Well then, Lotus is saying Castrol TAF-X 75W/90" so that means Readline MT-90 since it is a 75W/90

The original specified oil is "Mobil 1 RTS 9775 fully synthetic SAE 5W/30"--However, the current Lotus recommended oil is "Castrol TAF-X 75W/90".

I thought this was an easy thread

[Doc Fizzix]

I guess this sums it up for ALL users regardless of if you have a LSD diff or a standard diff, Lotus says 75w/90 and Quaife suggest the same, therefor Redline MT-90 is a perfect match for Lotus and Quaife's recommendation. GL-5 is deffinetly out since it is not backward compatable and Redline MTL is a little to light weight.

I deffinetly feel that since I am in Texas that the heavier weight recommended by Lotus (Redline MT-90) will be much better for the extream heat that we deal with durring the summer than compaired to lighter weight Readline MTL.