May be it is time to change your gear oil...
 

Guys,

I have recently experiencing some notichness in the gear and unhappy about it, especially I am sad that I will face a bill of $6000+ for a new set. :Eyecrazy: . While I am contemplating surrounding my mod plan for a new set of boxes. I am thinking of these things:

I just change my gear oil and see how it goes?

So research is on.

The car is on MT 90 Redline gear oil (Spec HERE ). It has done less than 2000km but 2 track days. The first track day was cold and wet and certainly the shift is smoother. The recent track day in August - the 3rd to 4th gear is notchy and getting imprecise. Now even in the street it is getting notchy 3rd to 4th at high rev. I felt recently of the stock RX-8 and I suddenly reminded myself what it "suppose" to feel like. I had to do something.

Now I can afford to just change the same oil - in fact, I think now that would solve the problem. But what will happen on the track - it won't last and :mad: same shit will happen. So research has to be done.

Looking at the same redline website - they have a better premium gear oil, namely lightweight shockproof. (Website here ). I am still confused in what oil to choose. But I guess the better oil having a higher rating. The MT90 is a 75W90. And shockproof is a 70W140 oil. More info here about the less wear coeff and friction with stockproof cf. MT90

FOR YOUR INFO: Oil viscosity is measured at both high and low temperatures-
High Temperature: At high temperature (i.e. 100°C the viscosity measurement
is useful in selecting the correct oil to lubricate a working engine.
Low Temperature: At low temperature, the measurement predicts engine
cranking or start-up characteristics and oil pump-ability. The viscosity
measured at low temperature has "W" after the SAE number, which stands for
“Winter” eg SAE 15W40.

I am thinking of these alternatives and try them all:
Motul GEAR FF-LSD COMPETITION / SPORTS
Royal Purple Max Gear oils or Synchromax
Castrol Syntrax

All sounds very good and I wonder how they performed. Watch this space in coming years when I have the chance and the guts to go through them all in one gear box :bootyshak :mdrmed: :hahano:

TEST 1
Gear oil changed Wed 13 Sept 2006 to RED LINE LIGHTWEIGHT SHOCKPROOF(from MT90)
Taking the oil out and certainly the colour has changed (to beyond recognition of the original MT90 with minor metal power) in 2000km and 2 track days. :nono: for a weak sweet gearbox of ours.
Certainly I am now having the lightweight shockproof it is ok on the street. The notchiness is almost gone. But I think it is just because of new oil rather than the oil itself. I guess only time will tell when I get onto a racetrack and see if they last. Will report back. :rock:

TEST 2
EVENT ONEILL SANDOWN DRIVE DAY 26 OCT 2006

Now you see, the gear has been running in for a month (and about 500km) and so far so good on the road. And the gear does not stick in cold starts :bootyshak (Gomez). I have to say the Oneill day is a great test of the strength of the oil.

The gear went smooth. As seen on my video on the other thread. The 2nd to 3rd is perfect and AOK. 3rd to 4th is 10 times better than it has been. I deliberately do a long session (I think about 6-7 hot laps) and the 3rd to 4th stayed the same.

I am very happy with it and certainly ILIV48 says the same for his MX-5 :ylsuper: :rock:

TEST 3
11 Dec 06. Boardford - AOK. Did a best time of 1.10.30 :rock:

TEST 4
26 Jan 06. Hot Aussie day at Winton. Start getting notchy.
It is a very hot 32 degree day and I ran continuously so the water temp is at 115 degree. A true test for the gear oil. It starts getting notchy, but no as worse as before the oil change back in Sept.
I feel like can still use the oil but after 3 track and so many months it is due for a change before next track day.

REVIEW DAY 20 Feb 2007

It is not bad actually. No fine metal to speak off. The colour still recognizable. The same stuff went in and the gear as smooth as new. Perhaps it does something good for the change. Will review again in Winton 11 March.

WHY?? why u need a new set??

Taka, as you know, but others here may not, I am suffering the same problem. I had Astro pick me up 2 quarts of Royal Purple Syncromax (which I believe is 80W140) while he was out in Dandenong the other day. I will be booking the car in for sometime next week to have it changed. However this may get delayed depending on when/if I get my oil temp/preassure and water temp sensors and guages.

Andrew

I changed to Royal purple and my gears are sweet as , Taka you are not using your car enough in everyday traffic , your gear box needs to be worn in properly :)

Cars are like women correctly looked after they loosen up and give you a nicer ride :) LOL LOL

Michael

Which Royal Purple Michael?

Yeah I should know who is the expert of "boxes" here :lol:.... :hahano:

I would like to know if that is "Sweet as on the track" or "Sweet as on the street" or both?

Andrew

Taka

Going from memory Royal purple 75 w 90 for both Diff and Gearbox , but check with the supplier , just to make certain :)

Michael

I had it in tha car when i went to WAKEFIELD i should imagine it would be good for both uses track and street , however costant track use could be a different story Taka has more demanding needs from his oils than average drivers who only track cars now and then :)

Michael

You are not talking about the dead ones ? lol

I read a story resently about a phatologist who drugged his wife and did lots of naughty things to her :spank:

Michael

royal purple is one of the best gearbox oil you can use.

so you like the lose feeling....?

I do not know what to say to your post Michael......

Each to their own, if you like high KM models that have "losened up" then I guess that is OK.

75W90 is for everyday use.

75W140 is what is recommended for track/competition use. When cold it might be a little notchy. BUT who trashes their cars when cold???

Synchromax / Light Shockproof oil is what I'll use before the next track day.

People should also bleed their brakefluid as well before and after track sessions. Just to make sure there are no are bubbles in the hydraulic lines. Bleed brakes, clutch and master cylinder... "SPEEDBLEEDERS" help.

Good luck with it Taka, but I feel it will be a waste of money.

I look forward to revisiting this thread when you've done a few tankfuls on the new oil.

KM .....Models as in Kylie Minogue types , yeah baby :ylsuper: :)


Michael

For what it's worth, my friends on the Suzuki Cappuccino forum swear by Syntrax and recommend it for their cars, particularly as their cars are getting older and and more wear in the 'box... Similarities are the high-revving engine and rear-drive configuration if that's relevant.

I prepare to accept this verdict.

For your info Lightweight shockproof is the same price as MT90. I doubt Mazda charges me differently.

Taka, I have heard that the lightweight shockproof helps with smoother shifting and good for high temp work, but that the viscosity of it does cost some horsepower.
Any observations as to this?

regards
Rexi

Not at the moment no... I will concentrate on that part of equation.

Would you guys try the same stuff they use on the S2000 namely the factory Honda MTF?

I believe you will find the only difference between Royal Purple Redline OIL AND Honda MTF is the cost :)


Michael

Hey Taka, good to hear you r happy with the Redline lightweight Shockproof oil so far, well I am not trying to scare you but I've just found out on the Redline website that the lightweight shockproof gear oil is not recommanded for most syncro-type transmissions..(I supposed our 8s r having syncro-type transmissions rite?)

http://www.redlineoil.com/products_g...6&categoryID=6

the reason why I am bringing it up is because my friend has bought my some lightweight shockproof oil too... and I am now not too sure if I should exchange it or not........ :scratchhe: any idea?

No problem with Syncro. People have been using it all the time.

In fact it is what the redline recommended for racing. Check their recommendation for Mazda RX-8.

Link here: http://www.redlineoil.com.au/oil-fin...ProductID=7589

TEST 2
EVENT ONEILL SANDOWN DRIVE DAY 26 OCT 2006

Now you see, the gear has been running in for a month (and about 500km) and so far so good on the road. And the gear does not stick in cold starts :bootyshak (Gomez). I have to say the Oneill day is a great test of the strength of the oil.

The gear went smooth. As seen on my video on the other thread. The 2nd to 3rd is perfect and AOK. 3rd to 4th is 10 times better than it has been. I deliberately do a long session (I think about 6-7 hot laps) and the 3rd to 4th stayed the same.

I am very happy with it and certainly ILIV48 says the same for his MX-5 :ylsuper: :rock:

Yep thats for sure. The MX5 is running brilliant with the Lightweight Shockproof in the gearbox and diff. It certainly has not robbed any power either, if anything I have gained a few horses!