Royal Purple, M1 or Amsoil ATF???

Matt_S · Jul 14, 2004

I can get any of these at my favorite parts place, RP and M1 for $5.99/qt, Amsoil for $7.99/qt. This is for a pan drop (no flush) on my '00 Monte SS (3800 V6 w/ 4T65E trans).

I'm curious to try the RP, but I know M1 is a good fluid. The Amsoil is a bit more than I'd really like to pay, but if I can be convinced it's worth the extra $$$, I'll go for it. I'm interested in getting the fluid to say clean-looking for once. It's always shown up black-ish on the dipstick with clutch material, even after a recent pan drop with M1 refill. I know a flush is the best way to deal with this, but I've heard of too many problems. I also wouldn't mind a little firmer shifting. What do you guys think?

TallPaul · Jul 14, 2004

What about Redline? It's about the same price as the Amsoil. Ramchargers carrys it in the Detroit area, but did not stock the type I needed, but Redline ships in three days. Got 6 quarts coming Friday for the wife's Aerostar.

Pablo · Jul 14, 2004

I wouldn't pay $7.99 for the Amsoil, either. That's higher than the retail price!?!?!

Have you thought of buying Amsoil ATF from a site sponsor?

Matt_S · Jul 14, 2004

quote:

Have you thought of buying Amsoil ATF from a site sponsor?

No, but I might consider it if the price is right. The reason I posted the selections I did is because of local availability. I prefer to buy locally if possible, but I will do otherwise if the overall price is better. I'm more concerned about what the best oil for my trans will be, though.

Pablo · Jul 15, 2004

I can say Amsoil is top notch. Can any of the 4 mentioned prove they are better than each other in your car? Unlikely.

Redline is a bit more expensive than Amsoil ATF, I'll PM with prices if you'd like, but I sell Amsoil ATF typically between $6-$7 qt/depending on volume.

nascarnation · Jul 15, 2004

I'm surprised that you can burn down Mobil 1.
How many miles to turn it dark?

olympic · Jul 15, 2004

I have 7 GM vehicles and have installed Amsoil ATF in all of them and I couldn't be happier. I don't have any long term results yet but it did cure a strange wineing sound and a tendancy to slam the upshifts on my 01 Montana. It took several thousand miles for it to cure itself so I'm thinking the synthetic ATF must have cleaned something out.

Matt_S · Jul 15, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by nascarnation:
I'm surprised that you can burn down Mobil 1.
How many miles to turn it dark?

I can't give you a definite answer on this, but it's not burnt, just dirty with clutch material. Always has been. I guess this is just a dirty transmission. The last time I did a pan drop, it was dirty again within a few weeks.

Pablo · Jul 15, 2004

Matt - the quick loading up with clutch material does concern me a bit. Does the transmission slip or have shifts that seem a bit strange?

Matt_S · Jul 15, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by Pablo:
Matt - the quick loading up with clutch material does concern me a bit. Does the transmission slip or have shifts that seem a bit strange?

No, it works fine, just has always been dirty.

Spector · Jul 16, 2004

Been using the Amsoil in every thing for 10 years, GM, Toyota, Ford, Nissan, Izusu, great stuff!

Camry has 166,000 with origninal transmission so far!

olympic · Jul 16, 2004

A bypass filter on the transmission would help clean out all that clutch material.

Bio-T · Jul 16, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by olympic:
A bypass filter on the transmission would help clean out all that clutch material.

The link at the top of this page is a good filter for your transmission. I am using one on a Mazda 626 auto and an 01 Ford PSD.

http://emergingent.com/subpage1Magnefine.htm

dropitby · Jul 18, 2004

Go with the AMSOIL I have it in 3 of my cars very smooth shifting. I just wonder if you have a NAPA service center their they flushed out the whole transmission for me for $59 carrying in the AMSOIL. I was able to watch the whole thing. Without droping the pan so less chance of leaks.I am not sure how dirty your fluid is but they told me cars with 100000 miles don't have a very dirty filter. But its your call.Perhaps Auto RX would work to help clean it up a while your thinking about it.

Matt_S · Jul 18, 2004

Well, it sounds like the Amsoil is the fluid of choice. I'll probably go ahead and order some soon, though not right away. I'm a little conflicted on how much of an effort I want to make on this car. I might be selling it around next June and I don't want to go nuts on it. I'm hesitant to consider a bypass for that same reason. I don't want to complicate a sale due to a part that someone may perceive as unnecessary, overly complicated and a potential cause of problems and I don't want to install something I'm only going to have to remove. If I decide to keep the car, though, I may go that route. I also may decide to do a flush with Amsoil after a pan-drop/filter change with dino/ARX. I really need to have a talk with the wife on what the car situation will be before I do anything, though.

Matt_S · Jul 19, 2004

BTW, I checked out the Magnefine filter after my last posting. I agree that it's an excellent design and not nearly as complicated as I would expect. If I decide to keep the car, I will certainly install one. If not, though, I'll let the new owner make that decision.

Royal Purple, M1 or Amsoil ATF???

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