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Thread: Redline gear lube

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Posts: 11-20 of 30
2011-05-15 16:04:01
#11
Originally Posted by BenFenner
Even my boosted car is going back to MT-90 after using Heavy Shockproof, and then a mix of 50/50 Heavy Shockproof/MT-90.

MT-90 all the way unless it is a dedicated track car.

But to answer your question, you want the Heavy Shockproof. The lightweight is not recommended for synchronizer transmissions because it is much too slippery and super lightweight is completely unusable with syncronizers. It is like water.


Originally Posted by Benito
I put the lightweight once and it would scratch 3rd on hard full throttle shifts.

Also ran the heavy and it was a bit too heavy for regular use. It doesn't heat up and protect unless you are flogging the car around quite a bit.

I'd go with the mt or a 50/50 mix of mt/heavy like Ben said.


Hmm interesting.
I always thought the lightweight was just a thinner version of the heavy stuff.It seems like if you mixed heavy with MT-90 you have basically the same as lightweight
I have been running lightweight in my last two cars,after doing alot of searching and speaking with redline on the phone.They say its safe for our synchros.
32,000 on a VE ,and 25,000 so far on my DE.
I have yet to scratch a gear or have any tranny problems.
I cant speak for turbo cars,or big power,but I drive my cars pretty hard at times,and autocross,etc.
2011-05-15 16:38:46
#12
Originally Posted by happynole
This may date me, but so be it. I can remember when using Heavy was one of the "tranny savers" we had to do to protect ourselves.
Joe that is still the case. However, it seems that the true weak point in the transmission has been nailed down (shaft separate causing inferior meshing of the gears) over the years and some of the things that help our transmissions in general can be seen in that light. The heavier gear oil cushions the gears from sudden forces but does nothing to really help the root problem. with that in mind, the gain of Heavy Shockproof seems to be minimal in keeping 3rd gear together although it does help a bit in keeping chock loads down. Redline Heavy Shockproof is a very slippery mix. It doesn't let the synchro's do their job very well while warm and really performs poorly while cold. For that reason, and after experiencing it myself, I can't recommend the stuff anymore for anything but track cars. A mix of 50/50 might be tolerable to some on the street in warmer climates. For me though, even that was unacceptable.
2011-05-15 16:43:10
#13
Originally Posted by eggman
I always thought the lightweight was just a thinner version of the heavy stuff.
I think it might be a little bit more than just that, but it is good to think of it that way. It is basically a thinner version of the Heavy stuff. Thinner is worse for synchros though. Thinner is more slippery all else being equal. Causing even more problems for the synchros. The synchros need friction to do their job.

Originally Posted by eggman
It seems like if you mixed heavy with MT-90 you have basically the same as lightweight
While Heavy is thicker than MT-90, the heavy is still very slippery comparatively. It has very little friction modifiers if any. MT-90, while thinner than the heavy stuff, has tons of friction built in with modifiers and so a mix of the two gets you a mixture that is better for syncrhos than straight Heavy, but also provides some more cushion for the shock loads. Honestly it sounded like a good combo when I decided to use it, and it works to a point and better than straight heavy for the synchros, but I still don't like it 100%.

Originally Posted by eggman
I have been running lightweight in my last two cars,after doing alot of searching and speaking with redline on the phone.They say its safe for our synchros.
That is quite surprising to me after reading the descriptions of each lubricant. They describe it as worse for syncrhos than Heavy... And that sounds horrible to me. But I have no first-hand experience with Redline Lightweight Shockproof so I can't say for sure how it would perform. If you're having good luck with it, and they recommended it, then it seems like it would be worth a shot to try for others.
Last edited by BenFenner on 2011-05-15 at 16-51-20.
2011-05-15 17:19:34
#14
^^My original plan was to run heavy in the racecar,and MT-90 in the DD.
honestly,I switched to lightweight from mt-90 in my dd with the thought of only having one type of gear oil to keep on my garage shelf.That way whatever tranny is in whatever car,the gear oils were the same,too.

Thanks for the reply Ben,I am gonna check into this some more.
I wonder if MT-90 is up to continual track abuse?
2011-05-15 17:42:31
#15
So say your at 240-280 WHP 6 Puck Sprung etc... Would you do straight MT90? or 1 QT Heavy 2 QT's MT 90? I have to buy fluid next week and getting totally confused on what im going to go with now lol.
2011-05-15 17:45:24
#16
Originally Posted by eggman
I wonder if MT-90 is up to continual track abuse?
Yep. Sure is. It was the fluid of choice for the SE-R Cup cars for years.
2011-05-15 17:50:00
#17
Originally Posted by QUiKSR20
So say your at 240-280 WHP 6 Puck Sprung etc... Would you do straight MT90? or 1 QT Heavy 2 QT's MT 90? I have to buy fluid next week and getting totally confused on what im going to go with now lol.
Personally, I would still use all MT-90. If you want to, go with 2.5-2.7 liters of MT-90 and 1 liter of Heavy. Really though, I'd do MT-90 on any car unless you're not going to deal with the 1st-2nd shift often in the cold (turbo race car for example).

Once the fluid is warmed up, Heavy is okay, but it is rough going in the cold and for the first shift or two every morning. If a little 2nd gear dog teeth grinding doesn't bother you every morning, then by all means use a full 3.5-3.7 liters of Heavy. It will still be like shifting through syrup for the first couple minutes of driving.
2011-05-15 18:20:42
#18
Dont mean to thread jack but does anyone use royal purple 75w-90? good, bad...?
2011-05-15 18:42:34
#19
I've been in and out today, and trying to keep up with the conversation. I am in the middle of putting a clutch in Kimme's B14. I purchased Heavy earlier this week in anticipation of this project. It is a dd with S3's and basic bolt ons. Not likely to see any track time. We live in Georgia, so cold temps are rarely an issue. Now I'm honestly a little confused with all the talk of friction modifiers and too slippery? If the only downside is during warm up, then I'll stick with Heavy. Or do I need to pick up at least 2 bottles of MT-90 and mix it 50/50? I still have time to change the plan.
2011-05-15 18:55:42
#20
Joe for a daily car just get the valvoline in the blue bottle. The stuff is great and doesnt grind a bit. Save the heavy for the track car.
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