BG LSII..Anybody have any experience

[Ryan Dillin]

I know that the BG synchro shift is good stuff from what people have told me. And our distributior for BG products came into work the other day so I asked him about it...Yikes, $14 a quart...anyway I told him the issue I was having with my 1G PGT with grinding into 2nd when I shift fast at high RPM's. Now granted It's definitely something mechanical and I have another tranny waiting to go in anyway...But I was curious to see if the BG stuff could anctually help over Redline.

He didn't have any synchroshift but he did have something called LSII which he said has done good things in my situation before:

I dumped it in and it does seem to grind a bit less, maybe instead of every other time, every 3rd or 4th time. And jsut putting around shifts do seem a bit smoother and less forced...It slids in easier in other words..

He gave it to me for free so nothing lost...but anybody ever used it before, or know anything more about it??

Laters
Ryan

 

[Big Jim]

From the label it apears to be a friction modifier additive. Friction modifier additives are common for keeping limited slip differentials from chattering.

Many manual trans techs have known for years that shift quality is often improved by adding friction modifier. It helps the sychros to operate better.

My own car, a 98 Ford Contour SVT, shifts much better either by adding friction modifier to the stock fluid or by using a fluid that is already high in friction modifier.

My manual trans came with Mercon (Dexron III). Changing the fluid and refilling with the Mercon improved shift quality for a few thousand miles and then it fell back to it's normal bulky self most of the time. Changing to ATF+3 transformed the trans to a very smooth performer. ATF+3 has a higher level of friction modifier than Mercon. Currently I have Ford's synthetic manual trans fluid with 2 oz of Ford friction modifier added (1/2 bottle). The Ford synthetic was factory fill on Contours, Mystiques, and Cougars starting early in 2000 and is recommened by Ford for earlier Contours etc for refill or top off. It is also factory fill for manual trans equipped Focus models. The overall shift quality of the Ford synthetic with added friction modifier is about the same or maybe very slightly better than with ATF+3. The downside of the Ford synthetic is that it runs about $20.00 a quart. Nearly three quarts needed. Next change I'm going to try ATF+4. I already have three quarts set aside.

So, I'm not surprised that your trans shifts better with friction modifier added to the fluid. Most automakers don't recognize this fact though.

 

[Ryan Dillin]

Wow Jim, thank you so much. I assumed it was basically a formula containing something similar, and probably more EP additives...Moly in some form I'd assume...to smooth things out. And so far it has. While my tranny is still farked it is a bit nicer to drive.

And good to know about the Ford stuff. Sounds too rich for my blood as I can get the BG stuff for cheaper as well as other brands.

Anybody else have any experience with this stuff?

Laters
Ryan

 

[MolaKule]

LSD Friction Modifiers are not to be used in manual trasmissions and do not help shifting. These fluids are used to reduce stick/slip in differentials and contain a lot of phosphorus.

You didn't say what vehicle, year, or problem you are trying to fix.

You need the proper viscosity and Friction Modifiers available in synchromesh or GL4 MT gear lubes.

 

[Big Jim]

quote:

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Originally posted by MolaKule:
LSD Friction Modifiers are not to be used in manual trasmissions and do not help shifting. These fluids are used to reduce stick/slip in differentials and contain a lot of phosphorus.

You didn't say what vehicle, year, or problem you are trying to fix.

You need the proper viscosity and Friction Modifiers available in synchromesh or GL4 MT gear lubes.

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I was taught this as well and believed it for many years until experience proved otherwise. I'm sorry that my experience doesn't match yours.

 

[MolaKule]

The LSII stuff is the same stuff sold as LSD friction modifiers for Differentials only.

Sorry to disagree, but the BG guy is not doing you any favors and does not realize the long term effects on manual transmissions.

 

[Big Jim]

What long term effects?

The friction modifier helps to clear the oil off the synchros so that they will operate better.

It doesn't harm the bearings, Think about it, the bearings in a manual trans are not that much different than those in a differential.

Like I said, my experience doesn't match yours so lets just agree to disagree.

 

[MolaKule]

quote:

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The friction modifier helps to clear the oil off the synchros so that they will operate better.

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Sorry, that's not how Friction Modifiers work.

Too much active phosphorus can potentially attack the brass/bronze synchros, alumuminum case, sintered synchro material, tin layers on bearing cages, etc.

Do you know for sure that ALL the bearings are steel?