Honda S2000 Recommendations

[BikerCheetah]

Dear all BITOG Viewers,

I currently have an AP1 Honda S2000 with an AP2 trans. It's about that time of the year to change the oil in the differential and the transmission. I have heard varying degrees of what seems to be a "good" MTF / Diff fluid for the S2k, all ranging from OEM to Redline... Here has been my experiences...

Redline MTF: When the oil was cold, the gears would grind. Once heat built up, I had no complaints

Honda MTF: Works fine, but under hard use, the fluid feels like it breaks down, requiring more effort to shift. In the trans now

So my question is to those who know Hondas well...

A. What fluid should I use for the trans? It has to work well with carbon fiber syncros, since the AP2 trans has them...

B. What should I use for the differential?

I am almost certain I will stick to Honda MTF for the trans, but what about the diff?

Any suggestions...? ...

Bueller?

 

[friendly_jacek]

I don't know hondas but when I researched info for the my recent thread on GL-5 viscosities. I came across many posts on S2000 requiring 90 gear oil in diff. You and I are in the same boat looking for perfect oils for our diffs requiring 90.

People are going to say that any 75W90 or 80W90 fluid will do, but it is incorrect info as old straight 90 is new SEA 110. IMHO, this is why so many people have problem nowadays with whining diffs. I had too in subaru after using Redline 75W90.

 

[mechtech2]

Redline doesn't make MTF, they make MTL or MT90.
Which one did you use? I use a mix and it works beautifully, but I don't have your trans.
I would also look into Amsoil's new offerings in a suitable viscosity, as their new manual trans lubes are supposed to be wonderful for shifting and wear.

 

[INDYMAC]

I have an AP2 and have been very happy with used oil analysis and performance of SAE90 LE607. Many others choose M1 75W-90 with similarly great results. The new guy on the block is LE1605, the LE607 replacement that is SAE110 grade. I'm about 600 miles into a 1605 fill right now, so it's too early for me to give you a useful assessment. I did a comparison used oil analysis thread of several gear oils in the S2000. If I have time later, I'll try to find it for you. Another gear oil that I think will work well is AMSOIL SVT 75W-110. I just haven't seen any testimonials or used oil analysis yet.

I've also heard that AMSOIL MTF lasts a little longer than Honda MTF. Maybe that would be worth a try in the transmission next time. I'm pretty happy with the new Honda juice so far.

 

[drkbrent]

LE are the finest lubrication products I've used. Google them and you'll find their web site (FYI, "LE" stands for "Lubrication Engineers). Good luck!

 

[double vanos]

Google this if you will...XT-M5-QS

This a MotorCraft 75w90 synthetic gear oil developed for some problematic Getrag boxes that Ford has used over the years. It is made in Germany. Googling that part# will bring up several S2000 forums discussing it. Mostly positive responses IIRC.

I just put some in my '08 Mazdaspeed 3 which has a Getrag box and it has got this trannie shifting better than it ever has. I was using MTL and it was doing pretty good but, in my application, this stuff has outclassed MTL by a wide margin.

It is $$$pricey though...I paid $19.18 a qt at the local Ford dealer but it can be purchased online for around $15.

For a 75w90 it seems a little thin and it smells like yellow 3M glue.

I'm praying it still does well in cold weather..
Cheers! DV