Hi new user and first post here. I know this topic has been discussed regarding motor oils, but i could not find much info on it pertaining to transmission fluids. I have a 96 camaro z28 with the t56 6 speed trans, and would like to know if it is safe or beneficial to do a 50/50 mix of dexron3 and gm/pennzoil synchromesh. As a lot of you know the trans. calls for dexron3 from the factory, but i find it can be a little too thin when it gets hot and creates slightly harder shifting. My goal is to get a slightly thicker formula for the spring/summer months when i take the car out of the garage. Thanks
Mixing Dex3 with Synchromesh
- Thread starter 96cz28
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Visit the lubegard website. They make additives for what your trying to do.
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RP Synchromax would be a good choice for your tranny.
Interesting stuff, i'm looking at the BTR ATF Conversion Formula on Lubegard's website looks like it might work. I initially looked at the royal purple synchromax, but have heard bad results with certain transmission builders saying it eats away at the cellulose blocker rings within a matter of weeks. I also was looking at the redline D4 atf, anyone ever try it?
Originally Posted By: 96cz28
Interesting stuff, i'm looking at the BTR ATF Conversion Formula on Lubegard's website looks like it might work. I initially looked at the royal purple synchromax, but have heard bad results with certain transmission builders saying it eats away at the cellulose blocker rings within a matter of weeks. I also was looking at the redline D4 atf, anyone ever try it?
FWIW:
I've been running a 50/50 Redline D4, Mobil 1 Dexron mix in my '96 Saturn transaxle for about 2 years now.
This combo improved the 1-2,and 2-3 shifts noticeably as opposed to the recommended Dexron fill that was in it originally.
(Faster synchro action)
But who knows, maybe simply refilling with new Dexron would have achieved the same results in my instance.
My aim was to get a little more EP in the fluid VS: the Dexron.
The improved shifts were an unexpected bonus.
Bottom line this particular mix gave good results in this particular application.
YMMV
Good day Sir.
Rickey.
Interesting stuff, i'm looking at the BTR ATF Conversion Formula on Lubegard's website looks like it might work. I initially looked at the royal purple synchromax, but have heard bad results with certain transmission builders saying it eats away at the cellulose blocker rings within a matter of weeks. I also was looking at the redline D4 atf, anyone ever try it?
FWIW:
I've been running a 50/50 Redline D4, Mobil 1 Dexron mix in my '96 Saturn transaxle for about 2 years now.
This combo improved the 1-2,and 2-3 shifts noticeably as opposed to the recommended Dexron fill that was in it originally.
(Faster synchro action)
But who knows, maybe simply refilling with new Dexron would have achieved the same results in my instance.
My aim was to get a little more EP in the fluid VS: the Dexron.
The improved shifts were an unexpected bonus.
Bottom line this particular mix gave good results in this particular application.
YMMV
Good day Sir.
Rickey.
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I`m an Amsoil guy myself. I`m thinking they make a synchromesh fluid. Amsoil MTF,I think.
I used a mix of Maxlife dex/merc and Pennzoil Synchromesh fluid in a Ranger manual transmission that calls for regular mercon. The Maxlife dex/merc is a little thinner than regular dex/merc and the Pennzoil Synchromesh is a little thicker.
This combo improved the shifting (reduced a bump from the transmission when changing from one gear to the next) in low mileage transmission that had the factory fluid.
This combo improved the shifting (reduced a bump from the transmission when changing from one gear to the next) in low mileage transmission that had the factory fluid.
Sure, you could mix them just fine.
I'd go with the Penn Synch alone, though.
[Even better is a full synth Synchromesh from Amsoil or Redline.]
I'd go with the Penn Synch alone, though.
[Even better is a full synth Synchromesh from Amsoil or Redline.]
Originally Posted By: Rickey
Originally Posted By: 96cz28
Interesting stuff, i'm looking at the BTR ATF Conversion Formula on Lubegard's website looks like it might work. I initially looked at the royal purple synchromax, but have heard bad results with certain transmission builders saying it eats away at the cellulose blocker rings within a matter of weeks. I also was looking at the redline D4 atf, anyone ever try it?
FWIW:
I've been running a 50/50 Redline D4, Mobil 1 Dexron mix in my '96 Saturn transaxle for about 2 years now.
This combo improved the 1-2,and 2-3 shifts noticeably as opposed to the recommended Dexron fill that was in it originally.
(Faster synchro action)
But who knows, maybe simply refilling with new Dexron would have achieved the same results in my instance.
My aim was to get a little more EP in the fluid VS: the Dexron.
The improved shifts were an unexpected bonus.
Bottom line this particular mix gave good results in this particular application.
YMMV
Good day Sir.
Rickey.
I'm running 100% Amsoil Synchromesh in our 96 Saturn and I can't believe how nice it shifts, even with 200K miles on it.
Originally Posted By: 96cz28
Interesting stuff, i'm looking at the BTR ATF Conversion Formula on Lubegard's website looks like it might work. I initially looked at the royal purple synchromax, but have heard bad results with certain transmission builders saying it eats away at the cellulose blocker rings within a matter of weeks. I also was looking at the redline D4 atf, anyone ever try it?
FWIW:
I've been running a 50/50 Redline D4, Mobil 1 Dexron mix in my '96 Saturn transaxle for about 2 years now.
This combo improved the 1-2,and 2-3 shifts noticeably as opposed to the recommended Dexron fill that was in it originally.
(Faster synchro action)
But who knows, maybe simply refilling with new Dexron would have achieved the same results in my instance.
My aim was to get a little more EP in the fluid VS: the Dexron.
The improved shifts were an unexpected bonus.
Bottom line this particular mix gave good results in this particular application.
YMMV
Good day Sir.
Rickey.
I'm running 100% Amsoil Synchromesh in our 96 Saturn and I can't believe how nice it shifts, even with 200K miles on it.
I have basically the same gearbox as you (just made by Tremec instead of Borg-Warner), and I've been through almost all of the mixes, and argued with MANY people on here and LS1tech.com/etc.
I am currently using the D4 during the winter time (it's NOT a 'garage queen'), and it is best when it gets cold (like right now).
During the late spring/summer, I either use a straight MTL (usually Amsoil MTF, or Red Line's MTL), or a mix of one of those and D4 (3 qts. of the synchromesh fluid and 1 qt. of the D4).
This stands up to the heat of our summers, but is also thin enough to still allows the synchros/'paper' blocker rings to engage properly.
I am currently using the D4 during the winter time (it's NOT a 'garage queen'), and it is best when it gets cold (like right now).
During the late spring/summer, I either use a straight MTL (usually Amsoil MTF, or Red Line's MTL), or a mix of one of those and D4 (3 qts. of the synchromesh fluid and 1 qt. of the D4).
This stands up to the heat of our summers, but is also thin enough to still allows the synchros/'paper' blocker rings to engage properly.
Originally Posted By: 96cz28
Interesting stuff, i'm looking at the BTR ATF Conversion Formula on Lubegard's website looks like it might work. I initially looked at the royal purple synchromax, but have heard bad results with certain transmission builders saying it eats away at the cellulose blocker rings within a matter of weeks. I also was looking at the redline D4 atf, anyone ever try it?
An old myth with no basis in fact. I also have the T56 (with the "paper" rings), and have had RP synchromax in it for about 8 years now, with no change in shifting.
Interesting stuff, i'm looking at the BTR ATF Conversion Formula on Lubegard's website looks like it might work. I initially looked at the royal purple synchromax, but have heard bad results with certain transmission builders saying it eats away at the cellulose blocker rings within a matter of weeks. I also was looking at the redline D4 atf, anyone ever try it?
An old myth with no basis in fact. I also have the T56 (with the "paper" rings), and have had RP synchromax in it for about 8 years now, with no change in shifting.
Originally Posted By: neo3
Originally Posted By: 96cz28
Interesting stuff, i'm looking at the BTR ATF Conversion Formula on Lubegard's website looks like it might work. I initially looked at the royal purple synchromax, but have heard bad results with certain transmission builders saying it eats away at the cellulose blocker rings within a matter of weeks. I also was looking at the redline D4 atf, anyone ever try it?
An old myth with no basis in fact. I also have the T56 (with the "paper" rings), and have had RP synchromax in it for about 8 years now, with no change in shifting.
I guess it depends on which grade/model year of cellulose Tremec used in the blocker rings, because when I tried the RP Synchromax in MY T56, I had NEVER experienced a lousier shifting/grinding in EVERY gear/balky/hesitant gearbox than that!!
I dumped it the very next day and put in a D4/MTL mix and have not looked back since.
Originally Posted By: 96cz28
Interesting stuff, i'm looking at the BTR ATF Conversion Formula on Lubegard's website looks like it might work. I initially looked at the royal purple synchromax, but have heard bad results with certain transmission builders saying it eats away at the cellulose blocker rings within a matter of weeks. I also was looking at the redline D4 atf, anyone ever try it?
An old myth with no basis in fact. I also have the T56 (with the "paper" rings), and have had RP synchromax in it for about 8 years now, with no change in shifting.
I guess it depends on which grade/model year of cellulose Tremec used in the blocker rings, because when I tried the RP Synchromax in MY T56, I had NEVER experienced a lousier shifting/grinding in EVERY gear/balky/hesitant gearbox than that!!
I dumped it the very next day and put in a D4/MTL mix and have not looked back since.
Redline MTL or Amsoil MTF will do you well. If you have to use ATF because you are afraid of those two then try CastrolIMV ATF or Mobil1 ATF. But the Redline is the best IMO.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: dailydriver
Originally Posted By: neo3
Originally Posted By: 96cz28
Interesting stuff, i'm looking at the BTR ATF Conversion Formula on Lubegard's website looks like it might work. I initially looked at the royal purple synchromax, but have heard bad results with certain transmission builders saying it eats away at the cellulose blocker rings within a matter of weeks. I also was looking at the redline D4 atf, anyone ever try it?
An old myth with no basis in fact. I also have the T56 (with the "paper" rings), and have had RP synchromax in it for about 8 years now, with no change in shifting.
I guess it depends on which grade/model year of cellulose Tremec used in the blocker rings, because when I tried the RP Synchromax in MY T56, I had NEVER experienced a lousier shifting/grinding in EVERY gear/balky/hesitant gearbox than that!!
I dumped it the very next day and put in a D4/MTL mix and have not looked back since.
Well mine's the same car/year as yours. I tried a few different fluids, and the RP seemed to shift the best by a very slight margin. My car is low mileage though, maybe that makes a difference. Anyway the price of this stuff has gotten insane, next time will probably try something else.
Originally Posted By: neo3
Originally Posted By: 96cz28
Interesting stuff, i'm looking at the BTR ATF Conversion Formula on Lubegard's website looks like it might work. I initially looked at the royal purple synchromax, but have heard bad results with certain transmission builders saying it eats away at the cellulose blocker rings within a matter of weeks. I also was looking at the redline D4 atf, anyone ever try it?
An old myth with no basis in fact. I also have the T56 (with the "paper" rings), and have had RP synchromax in it for about 8 years now, with no change in shifting.
I guess it depends on which grade/model year of cellulose Tremec used in the blocker rings, because when I tried the RP Synchromax in MY T56, I had NEVER experienced a lousier shifting/grinding in EVERY gear/balky/hesitant gearbox than that!!
I dumped it the very next day and put in a D4/MTL mix and have not looked back since.
Well mine's the same car/year as yours. I tried a few different fluids, and the RP seemed to shift the best by a very slight margin. My car is low mileage though, maybe that makes a difference. Anyway the price of this stuff has gotten insane, next time will probably try something else.
^^^My guess is that whatever their added "Synerlec" additive is, MY blocker rings just did not like it, or it was just soooo 'slippery' that it did not let the synchros slow down enough to engage the next gear.
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