Gear oils, what’s your flavor?

Hammond_fab

Hammond_fab

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Currently have my weddle s4 in the shop because of a tore up ring and pinion. Looks like the pinion was getting hot prior to failure. Current fluid that I was running was the maxima 75w-190.

The swepco 203 140w technical specs look comparable to the maxima 75w-190; but with the moly blend.
 
Same maxima in my Fortin. last tear down carrier bearings were pitted but no gears 4 seasons since last tear down
 
this is a ford/chevy discussion for sure
but I can say that no matter what fluid the key according my trans shop is proper R&P break-in and then warming up the trans before taking off under power
I like to do several circles in first gear 5 mph before heading out. I have had incredible luck with Maxima 250wt in my last 2 S4's
I use it on every car I prep as long they are willing to warm it up before Blasting away
I am totally surprised how many people warm their engines to 180 before heading out then just hammer down on the trans dead cold

I have used everything from Swepco to LAT, to Synergyn to Redline, and still had the best luck with maxima
Haven't tried RevX yet though
 
Fullthrottleguy said:
this is a ford/chevy discussion for sure
but I can say that no matter what fluid the key according my trans shop is proper R&P break-in and then warming up the trans before taking off under power
I like to do several circles in first gear 5 mph before heading out. I have had incredible luck with Maxima 250wt in my last 2 S4's
I use it on every car I prep as long they are willing to warm it up before Blasting away
I am totally surprised how many people warm their engines to 180 before heading out then just hammer down on the trans dead cold

I have used everything from Swepco to LAT, to Synergyn to Redline, and still had the best luck with maxima
Haven't tried RevX yet though
Click to expand...
Sent McMullen a case and asked for a report on one of his baja trips. Havn't heard back. He builds for the race then tears down after.
 
Fullthrottleguy said:
this is a ford/chevy discussion for sure
but I can say that no matter what fluid the key according my trans shop is proper R&P break-in and then warming up the trans before taking off under power
I like to do several circles in first gear 5 mph before heading out. I have had incredible luck with Maxima 250wt in my last 2 S4's
I use it on every car I prep as long they are willing to warm it up before Blasting away
I am totally surprised how many people warm their engines to 180 before heading out then just hammer down on the trans dead cold

I have used everything from Swepco to LAT, to Synergyn to Redline, and still had the best luck with maxima
Haven't tried RevX yet though
Click to expand...
It’s definitely a loaded question. I will say that trans definitely got an improper break in. Straight to the dyno. But I usually drive pretty easy until I get some good oil temps on the engine at least
 
I've seen results from almost every oil used, and I will say that the Maxima Pro-Gear 75/190 has been some of the best among all brands.

Regarding the "straight to the dyno" comment, this has resulted in more trans and clutch failures than most anything else. Gears, bearings, synchros all need to go through a few light duty heat cycles before they are ready for full abuse. The gears will work harden as they run against each other and build heat.

I have always suggested spending a day breaking in your new or rebuilt trans by putting 4-5 light to medium duty heat cycles and running through all of the gears before taking it to the dyno. Drive around for 30 minutes, get some heat in the trans, then stop and let it cool for 45 mins. This will also help break in a new clutch. Ask your engine tuner to put a safe "stock" tune on the ECU before you take it to the dyno to run the piss out of it.
 
SeanRitchie said:
I've seen results from almost every oil used, and I will say that the Maxima Pro-Gear 75/190 has been some of the best among all brands.

Regarding the "straight to the dyno" comment, this has resulted in more trans and clutch failures than most anything else. Gears, bearings, synchros all need to go through a few light duty heat cycles before they are ready for full abuse. The gears will work harden as they run against each other and build heat.

I have always suggested spending a day breaking in your new or rebuilt trans by putting 4-5 light to medium duty heat cycles and running through all of the gears before taking it to the dyno. Drive around for 30 minutes, get some heat in the trans, then stop and let it cool for 45 mins. This will also help break in a new clutch. Ask your engine tuner to put a safe "stock" tune on the ECU before you take it to the dyno to run the piss out of it.
Click to expand...
I was not thrilled about the dyno session on fresh components. This go around there will be a proper break in.

Would there be an advantage to running 250w oil?
 
It was suggested to me run cheap Walmart or auto parts store 80/90w for the light load 4-5 heat cycles, then drain and fill with good gear oil, LAT, Maxima.
Any truth to this theory?
 
SeanRitchie said:
I've seen results from almost every oil used, and I will say that the Maxima Pro-Gear 75/190 has been some of the best among all brands.

Regarding the "straight to the dyno" comment, this has resulted in more trans and clutch failures than most anything else. Gears, bearings, synchros all need to go through a few light duty heat cycles before they are ready for full abuse. The gears will work harden as they run against each other and build heat.

I have always suggested spending a day breaking in your new or rebuilt trans by putting 4-5 light to medium duty heat cycles and running through all of the gears before taking it to the dyno. Drive around for 30 minutes, get some heat in the trans, then stop and let it cool for 45 mins. This will also help break in a new clutch. Ask your engine tuner to put a safe "stock" tune on the ECU before you take it to the dyno to run the piss out of it.
Click to expand...
I'd say that is Fantastic advice from a Pro that knows!
Although I still like Maxima 250wt for the S4 and S4D, they shift like Butter :-)
 
I use whatever McMullen puts in the gear box when I pick it up. :)
 
What's the current opinions of Redline Heavy Shockproof?
 
fabr said:
What's the current opinions of Redline Heavy Shockproof?
Click to expand...
Some people love it. I have never cared for it. We found that it runs 10-15 degrees warmer than traditional oils, likely due to how heavy it is with all of the solids in it.
 
In a non synchro trend, I run swepco 203. 140wt. With a mild built ls, s4 trans, and heavy ish car, the trans went 7 years without opening it up. Finally pulled it due to a main shaft bearing taking a dump. Trans shop asked what I was running, and told me not to change a thing.
 
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