I installed SF MTL-P (12cSt) in my '99 Escort ZX2's 5 speed transaxle. I ran the OEM Mercon to 8K then Redline D4 to 62K and last week installed the MTL-P thanks to reviews I read here on the forum. I will say that the 5 yr old Redline D4 held up quite well and provided nice crisp shifting and drained out a nice clean red. The MTL-P (with 200 miles on it) is a bit smoother and allows an easier downshift into first when in slow traffic. Like forum member mechtech said, the 2nd gear synchro action is noticeably smoother. MolaKule certainly knows how to brew up a sweet trans fluid.
Specialty Formulations' MTL-P works great!
- Thread starter cos
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what does that stuff cost and is there any guarintee it wont hurt the transmission?
It's $28.95/gallon + shipping which isn't bad for what may well be the best transmission fluid on the market. I don't see how it would "hurt" your trans as long as you choose the right viscosity. SF has 4 different fluids to choose from.
mechtech,
How much did your ZX2 take? Mine took almost the whole gallon, I'd say a 3.9 qts. I have a super slow trans leak I hope get's better with the thicker MTL-P. I also would like a real fill plug/hole - that VSS can be a real pain to remove and reinstall.
How much did your ZX2 take? Mine took almost the whole gallon, I'd say a 3.9 qts. I have a super slow trans leak I hope get's better with the thicker MTL-P. I also would like a real fill plug/hole - that VSS can be a real pain to remove and reinstall.
MolaKule
Staff member
Glad to hear it's working so well, cos.
Jumping from a 7.5 cSt fluid to an 11.7 cSt fluid, while only about 3 cSt, usually results in somewhat stiffer shifting, but again MTL-P is usually creamy smooth in most transmissions.
You might want to send Redline some Kudo's as well for holding up for 5 years.
BTW, ever do any used oil analysis with the Redline D4?
We usually find our fluids have 1/3 to 1/4 the wear of most popular MTL fluids.
Jumping from a 7.5 cSt fluid to an 11.7 cSt fluid, while only about 3 cSt, usually results in somewhat stiffer shifting, but again MTL-P is usually creamy smooth in most transmissions.
You might want to send Redline some Kudo's as well for holding up for 5 years.
BTW, ever do any used oil analysis with the Redline D4?
We usually find our fluids have 1/3 to 1/4 the wear of most popular MTL fluids.
MolaKule
Nope, never did a used oil analysis with the used Redline D4. I'm only guessing here but based on how well that 5 year old D4 shifted compared to your fresh MTL-P one would certainly think the additive pkg wasn't shot yet.
Nope, never did a used oil analysis with the used Redline D4. I'm only guessing here but based on how well that 5 year old D4 shifted compared to your fresh MTL-P one would certainly think the additive pkg wasn't shot yet.
I've got a used oil analysis of Redline MTL with one year's worth of driving on my car, when I drain the Royal Purple Synchromax I will have a second used oil analysis sample, and I hope to switch to SF fluids next for a third possible used oil analysis sample. Plus my friend is going to let me sample his one year old stock fluid for a used oil analysis. Molakule I've got to hit you up about some ordering information, I tried sending an e-mail from the website with no luck. I'll shoot you a pm in the next few days.
Plus it's purple, and smells like a transmission fluid should!
cos - Our [G5M Zx2] transaxles take from 3 - 3.5 qts. Hot or cold trans. makes some difference. If you use the speed sensor as a dipstick level, there is a range that is correct [fluid should be middle to top of gear].
Try checking the fluid level with the fill plug on the front of the trans. 23mm, same as the drain, facing the front of the car. When you take it out, the fluid should be at the level of the threads - if it pours out, there's too much in there. Make sure the car is level, first.
BTW, extra fluid will make it leak faster. Just top it up when necessary.
Try checking the fluid level with the fill plug on the front of the trans. 23mm, same as the drain, facing the front of the car. When you take it out, the fluid should be at the level of the threads - if it pours out, there's too much in there. Make sure the car is level, first.
BTW, extra fluid will make it leak faster. Just top it up when necessary.
mechtech,
5 yrs ago I poured in 3.55 qts of D4 but this time it just seemd to take more. Now as for this front plug, can you be a bit more specific as to where it's located. I'm guessing there isn't anything near it which requires a 23 mm socket so that should help.
Thanks!
[ February 18, 2005, 07:56 PM: Message edited by: cos ]
5 yrs ago I poured in 3.55 qts of D4 but this time it just seemd to take more. Now as for this front plug, can you be a bit more specific as to where it's located. I'm guessing there isn't anything near it which requires a 23 mm socket so that should help.
Thanks!
[ February 18, 2005, 07:56 PM: Message edited by: cos ]
As you stand in front of the car, facing it with the hood open, the engine is on the left, the trans on the right. The fill plug faces forward on the side of the trans, and is approx under the MAF sensor/air cleaner, about a foot down or so. You can get at it from the bottom easily, and fill from the top with a flexible hose inserted.
That D4 lasted because it was synthetic, not dino ATF, and didn't shear down. Plus, it had additives the ATF never did have.
That D4 lasted because it was synthetic, not dino ATF, and didn't shear down. Plus, it had additives the ATF never did have.
Thanks, I'll look for it. So the transmission fluid level should be at or close to the bottom edge of the fill hole which is below the air filter, right? Is there anything else near the fill hole I might mistakenly loosen with my 23 mm socket?
Ya, the Redline D4 is synthetic and that is why I choose it back then. It performed quite well - no complaints at all. I only "ground" 2nd gear twice in 62K - not to shabby.
Ya, the Redline D4 is synthetic and that is why I choose it back then. It performed quite well - no complaints at all. I only "ground" 2nd gear twice in 62K - not to shabby.
I ordered some, got it earlier this week and got to actually change the 6-speed transmission oil this morning.
Had to take the car for a short test drive afterwards.
A definite instant improvement over my 80/20 Red Line MT-90/MTL mix I just had in there. Shifting is lighter ... and perhaps a bit crisper as well.
I didn't really expect much of a change at all.
--- Bror Jace
Had to take the car for a short test drive afterwards.
A definite instant improvement over my 80/20 Red Line MT-90/MTL mix I just had in there. Shifting is lighter ... and perhaps a bit crisper as well.
I didn't really expect much of a change at all.
--- Bror Jace
What kinda car? MTL-R or P?quote:
Originally posted by Bror Jace:
I ordered some, got it earlier this week and got to actually change the 6-speed transmission oil this morning.
Had to take the car for a short test drive afterwards.
A definite instant improvement over my 80/20 Red Line MT-90/MTL mix I just had in there. Shifting is lighter ... and perhaps a bit crisper as well.
I didn't really expect much of a change at all.
--- Bror Jace
Sorry, Drew99GT, I thought I had stated it earlier in this thread ... but it mustv've been another one.
The car is an '03 Nissan Sentra Spec-V and the manual calls for 75W-85 GL4 oil. I have 30,000 miles on the beast. This car is known for having fairly poor shift quality although the variation between cars seems high. Some owners say their car is fine, some complain they can't even get it into some gears without grinding.
My Red Line mix was good (well, better) than the factory fluid in the cold. I'm not sure it was any better than the factory fluid (rumored to be Castrol Syntorque, but I don't think anyone's sure) once the car was warmed up.
Despite my 80/20 mixing, I think the MTL-P is a touch lighter than what I had in there.
--- Bror Jace
The car is an '03 Nissan Sentra Spec-V and the manual calls for 75W-85 GL4 oil. I have 30,000 miles on the beast. This car is known for having fairly poor shift quality although the variation between cars seems high. Some owners say their car is fine, some complain they can't even get it into some gears without grinding.
My Red Line mix was good (well, better) than the factory fluid in the cold. I'm not sure it was any better than the factory fluid (rumored to be Castrol Syntorque, but I don't think anyone's sure) once the car was warmed up.
Despite my 80/20 mixing, I think the MTL-P is a touch lighter than what I had in there.
--- Bror Jace
I thought I'd add this observation although I have no way to be absolutely sure of it nor measure it in any way.
I just got back from my annual pilgrimmage to Limerock Park. I go every year. It's about a 2 hour drive each way. It's a combination of winding roads and some limited access highways. Traffic is not usually that bad and I average no more than about 70mph.
In 2003, it was a monsoon. Rained all day ... very, very wet. For 2004 the weather was much nicer. Mild.
That year, I noticed that when I got home, the transmission tunnel portion of my car seemed awfully warm. The car seemed fine, over-all.
The fill I had in the 6-speed at the time was the 80/20 Red Line MT-90/MTL mix.
This year, despite higher ambient temps, I could feel no heat through the carpet or consol above my transmission.
The only change I've made to the car in the past year was that I drained the Red Line Oil and switched to Specialty Formulation's MTL-P.
Honestly, I never expected to see this sort of a difference between the two fluids ... but I thought I'd pass this observation along.
--- Bror Jace
I just got back from my annual pilgrimmage to Limerock Park. I go every year. It's about a 2 hour drive each way. It's a combination of winding roads and some limited access highways. Traffic is not usually that bad and I average no more than about 70mph.
In 2003, it was a monsoon. Rained all day ... very, very wet. For 2004 the weather was much nicer. Mild.
That year, I noticed that when I got home, the transmission tunnel portion of my car seemed awfully warm. The car seemed fine, over-all.
The fill I had in the 6-speed at the time was the 80/20 Red Line MT-90/MTL mix.
This year, despite higher ambient temps, I could feel no heat through the carpet or consol above my transmission.
The only change I've made to the car in the past year was that I drained the Red Line Oil and switched to Specialty Formulation's MTL-P.
Honestly, I never expected to see this sort of a difference between the two fluids ... but I thought I'd pass this observation along.
--- Bror Jace
Are you saying your Spec V has a transmission tunnel. Or do you mean some other car??? Last I checked the transmission in the Spec V isn't anywhere near the floor of the car.quote:
Originally posted by Bror Jace:
I thought I'd add this observation although I have no way to be absolutely sure of it nor measure it in any way.
I just got back from my annual pilgrimmage to Limerock Park. I go every year. It's about a 2 hour drive each way. It's a combination of winding roads and some limited access highways. Traffic is not usually that bad and I average no more than about 70mph.
In 2003, it was a monsoon. Rained all day ... very, very wet. For 2004 the weather was much nicer. Mild.
That year, I noticed that when I got home, the transmission tunnel portion of my car seemed awfully warm. The car seemed fine, over-all.
The fill I had in the 6-speed at the time was the 80/20 Red Line MT-90/MTL mix.
This year, despite higher ambient temps, I could feel no heat through the carpet or consol above my transmission.
The only change I've made to the car in the past year was that I drained the Red Line Oil and switched to Specialty Formulation's MTL-P.
Honestly, I never expected to see this sort of a difference between the two fluids ... but I thought I'd pass this observation along.
--- Bror Jace
It was the hump in the floorpan between the driver and front passenger which felt hot a year ago aftre a similar trip.
Technically, it's not a transmission tunnel. Lazy language on my part, I guess.
--- Bror Jace
Technically, it's not a transmission tunnel. Lazy language on my part, I guess.
--- Bror Jace
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