97 lt1 rear diff gear oil

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Messages
4,053
Location
LONESTAR state
Hi I just bought a 1997 camaro z28 lt 6 speed, i wonder what kind of rear diff gear oil i need to use, and I did some research that my aubun type is not use with synthetic gear oil. What do you guy think? thanks
 
It's an ongoing, 200 page, flamefest debate on all of the 4th gen f body sites as to what can and cannot be used in Auburns and Eaton carbon fiber clutchpack diffs (what I have in mine).

I just threw caution to the wind recently and filled it with Red Line 75W-140 and the Red Line friction modifier.
So far, so good. NO; chatter, 'one wheel peel', or noise (even coasting around right hand turns!!).

I am not sure if the Auburns are even more sensitive to synthetics, so if you want to be very cautious, just use a VERY GOOD mineral based gear oil (Schaeffers, Torco, Lakewood, etc.) in either 80W-90, or if it is a noisy ring and pinion in your hot climate, an 85W-140.
 
Hi, is this one ok ? Castrol HYPOY C Gear Oil 80w-90, it say recomment for RTV, just wonder it work for my car. Thank you

 
As long as there is a GL-5 rating on the back of the bottle you are good to go, as Castrol is very good mineral gear oil (albeit not quite at the same level as the 'top shelf' ones I suggested).

Again, just make sure it is GL-5 (and NOT just GL-4) rated, and absolutely make sure you add 4 ounces of a GOOD friction modifier/limited slip additive (like Motorcraft XL-3, GM Delco L.S. additive, or such).
 
Castrol HYPOY C Gear Oil is a multigrade gear lubricant that provides excellent performance in a manual transmission and differentials.

* Exceeds API GL-5 and MT-1 performance specifications


* Engineered for passenger cars and light trucks operating under high-stress conditions


* Meets the service fill requirements of conventional and limited slip differentials


* Recommended for use in all ATVs and Scooters with separate transmissions that require an API GL-5 gear lubricant. Can be used in V-Twin and Dirt Bike transmissions.

im good ?
 
Originally Posted By: dailydriver
YES!

Does it say anything about there already being limited slip friction modifiers in there? (Most gear oils DO NOT have them already in the solution, and need them added.)


I bought a bottle of that friction mod thing from GM. How long you think I should change out ? thanks !
 
Originally Posted By: CamaroT56
Originally Posted By: dailydriver
YES!

Does it say anything about there already being limited slip friction modifiers in there? (Most gear oils DO NOT have them already in the solution, and need them added.)


I bought a bottle of that friction mod thing from GM. How long you think I should change out ? thanks !


I'm the wrong one to ask about that, since if there were ever such a thing as changing diff gear oil TOO MUCH, I am VERY guilty, maniacal even. (Sometimes 2-3 times a year!!!!!
crazy2.gif
)

But seriously, depending on how hard you drive it (clutch drops & power shifting, drag strip hot-lapping, etc.) and how many miles are on the r&p/diff, you should be more than OK with 20-30K mile mineral gear oil changes.
wink.gif
 
also the LT1s had a stock auburn clutch type diff, prob not carbon fiber disks, and the LS1 camaros had torsens that don't require limt slip add. if you notice a lot of inside tire spin coming out of turns, even at part throttle then the stock auburn is shot

i'm using Durablend 80W-90 in the stock torsen
 
Originally Posted By: [RT
ProjUltraZ] also the LT1s had a stock auburn clutch type diff, prob not carbon fiber disks, and the LS1 camaros had torsens that don't require limt slip add.



Yes, this I know.

I swapped out the stock T2 for an Eaton cf Posi when it had ~5K miles on it!!
I originally wanted a T2R (GREAT road race/autocross VERY high bias diff, 4:1 bias ratio), but they were very hard to come by then, and the latter ones all had cracking case problems.

The irony is that f body/stang autocross guru Sam Strano actually thought the Eaton Posi was the better/stronger diff after trying one (having used T2Rs exclusively before that).
 
Most people don't recommend synthetic in the rear diff of my GM wagon either. I believe it has the same limited slip. I successfully used valvoline 80W-90 in the past with 1 bottle of additive. The last year or two I've been using Amsoil 75W-110 with their brand of limited slip additive. I can occasionally hear the rear end groan slightly in tight turns but I'm very happy with it. I wanted some extra protection since I haul a travel trailer with mine and can get hot at times. I was never able to find anyone that tried Amsoil complain about it. It seems most complaints were M1 users. I don't know why. The Impala SS site I frequent has about a 98% of the members recommending non-synthetic but I'm sticking with the Amsoil.
 
I use durablend 80w90 before I sold my other 97 LT1, it been over year and I just recently meet the owner, he say it still smooth and quiet. My next change will be durablend with gm additive.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom