Oil (not the usual question)

[z_chromozone]

I am having trouble finding out which oil to use in the gearbox and diff in my v8S. Steve Heath's book says SS-80 for the SD-1 gearbox, but the local (large) motorfactors says they have never seen it. They supplied me with Comma AQF auto tran fluid (ESP-M2C33G/F), surely this is not right. For the diff Steve H says APIGL5LS90, and the motorfactors supplied Comma EP90 hypoid gear oil GL-5.

Is this right, what is the current suggestion.

Many thanks,

Z

[pstruck]

Cannot give you a very technical answer, but I just picked my V8S up from a 12k service at Peninsula today. The invoice says "Oil, (gearbox) ATF 220", nothing more so this probably won't help.

[SLB]

I went through a similar dilema a few years back changing the oils in my old SEAC which had the Rover gearbox and Jag back axle. I think that is the same as the V8S ??

I was told DO NOT use ordinary gearbox oil in the rear diff. As mine was a limited slip you need a special mineral based oil, something to do with you wanting some grip between the pads otherwise you will lose the "limited" and it will slip all the time. I can't tell you what I used but I got it from the local specialist motorfactors, but it was Castrol.

The gearbox issue depended on who you talked to. I think TVR specified EP80 on the engine bay plate, but I was told that if a customer had a complaint about gear selection when cold, auto fluid was put in. I was also told they should have auto fluid as standard. I would suggest EP80 due to the extra power and torque over the standard cars. My car had had auto fluid in and I changed it, it felt better afterwards. Apparently if you go too thick there is a small pump inside which may not be able to cope.