5th Gear whine - Tremec T5

[Dominic]

In my current car, a 2002 Camaro, I have had some serious highspeed cruising transmission whine coming through the shifter. This occured before and after I changed my fluid to Valvoline Durablend ATF, since the vehicle was new, around 70-75mph (~2100RPM), and has been just as prominent with both shift knobs and both shifters I've used (stock, SS knob, stock shifter, B&M Ripper).

I've currently got 8000 miles on this car, over half of which were spent between 70-90mph down I-10 to California and back, and I have had no mechanical problems with this transmission but the whine bothers me.

Has anyone here had this particular transmission, or maybe a T56, and had an overdrive cruising light throttle whine? If I get down on the throttle the whine goes away, or if I downshift it also goes away, but its pretty annoying right now since I haven't a working stereo atm

(amp died).

I'm wondering if going to something besides the recommended ATF might solve this - however I don't think I am willing enough to try it unless I get some serious backing behind reasons to change fluid. I think I will speak to GM about this and find out what they think - just thought I'd ask you guys with more experience...

 

[MolaKule]

My suggestion would be to try the Schaeffer's 204S and then maybe the Redline
D4 series.

 

[TooSlick]

Try some Redline "MTL", manual transmission lube. This is equal to a 10w30 engine oil in terms of viscometrics, so it'll be 10%-15% thicker at operating than what you are running now. I don't know if you have the baseline specs on the Valvoline ATF, but MTL runs about 10 Centistokes @ 100C. Since you live in Florida you will be fine as far as low temp shifting. The MTL is a GL-4 rated formulation and is made to replace ATF and motor oil in manual transmission/transaxle applications.

 

[Dominic]

Would a thicker viscocity oil generally make gears quieter? Both of your suggestions are interesting.

After speaking to some of my friends on firebirdv6.com I found this is a normal issue, I just have never had a whiny manual before... Maybe when I change the fluid around 15K or 30K I'll try some of these suggestions - its easy to change so I'm looking forward to it.

 

[BOBISTHEOILGUY]

Dominic, The problem you are describing ..."
If I get down on the throttle the whine goes away, or if I downshift it also goes away" is usually only produced in the gears.

The gears are un-matched in wear patterns and will whine. Notice that when accellerating or making the gears push against each other creating higher levels of pressure against each other, the noise reduces. Now in cruise mode, these gears are not pushing against each other like in up or down throttle.

.. yes a slightly thicker oil will cause a buffer between the gears but this will not fix your problem. I have seen and heard this same problem with rearend gears. What happens is if they are not matched up, and properly aligned they will whine from the git go. As time goes on, it will progressivly get worse. Many rear end gear manufactures will actually "wear in" the gears before selling them as a matched set.

Wish ya luck.

 

[Dominic]

Thank you Bob, I had a feeling from simply physics knowledge this was the case... I am going to speak to GM about this regardless of it being the norm across the board for these cars, especially if you're right in that it will only get worse as time goes on.

1-4 are smooth as silk.

Thanks for all your advice.