Gearbox Juice....

[mikeb]

Hopefully be having the rebuilt Gearbox back next week. Right then, what is the BEST thing to re-fill it with. I have heard not to use ATF as eventually it destroys the box but to use some synthetic stuff, but the gearchange when cold is supposed to be crap.

Any good recommendations with what to fill it with and anybody know where to get the stuff from.

I don't mind paying for good branded stuff as long as it is good stuff and it looks after the newly re-built box.

Suggestions.

MikeyB

[s.hogan3]

i was told to us by richard thorpe to use :
castrol taf-x full synthetic manual transmission fluid. it meets or exeeds the req of : API GL4,SAE 75W-90,
in my lt 77 box with my 5.2 engine. he said he uses it in the race cars
hope this helps you

[dickymint]

found this the other day......www.mgbv8.org/lt77.htm oil reccomendation after the piccies

[s.hogan3]

as i said thats a taf-x spec oil

[wedg1e]

TAF-X is what Lotus finally recommended, after extensive testing, for the Esprit gearbox.

[leorest]

"TAF-X " in a Welsh Wedge! Well it made me smile LOL.
I presume the gearbox reconditioning company you used were researched to be respected and knowledgeable? If so then go with whatever they recommend as any warrantee queries will no doubt be subject to using their recommended fluid!

[mikeb]

I used Bernie at Competition Transmissions in the end. Ken (the other guy I was gonna use) proved to be impossible to get hold of. Guess he has either too much work on or has retired totally and can't be assed to return calls.

MikeyB

Edited by mikeb on Monday 24th July 12:08

[hamish400]

Mike,

I have used following for several years on recommendation of a Tasmin race car preparation independent (V8 Sports & Classics).

Redline Lightweight Shockproof Gear Oil

I get mine from Demon Tweeks

It is a strange blue colour but seems to work well.

Rgds
Hamish

[number 7]

Mike, there's lots of stuff in the archives on this subject. FWIW, avoid ATF, use a gear oil, e.g. Castrol SMX, or even good engine oil. Do not use anything with EP additives, as the gearbox doesn't need it, and these substances will damage the synchro rings, I believe. Bernie must have a recommendation? Opie are a good source of info and products.

7.

[The colonel]

I went through asking around and finding a suitable gearbox oil in march last year.
Everyone aggrees about the ATF stuff - not up to it.
I had RT recommending 50/50 mix of engine oil and ATF (20-50 SAE GTX engine oil and ATF)
IIRC Another well known guy said use a fully synthetic oil like ELF TRZ (SAE 80w)

So I felt a bit

I decided on Castrol manual SMX-S fully synthetic (SAE 75w - 85) API GL 3/4
- TVR handbook recommends S.S 80 whatever that is, so the 75w - 85 is a good range.
Easy to get as well, Halfrauds

With this oil in my 450SE you still have to wait 10 - 15 mins for the oil to warm up before the gear change is good i.e. needs a good tug out of 1st.
Onced warmed up - its like a knife through butter as they say, loverley and smooth and quiet.

One other thing my gearbox took more oil to fill than what the handbook says

[s.hogan3]

just taken my own advise and changed my gearbox oil
gear chance much much better ild req taf x
gear change a lot quicker smother and quiter
the oil i had taken out was the red auto transmission oil so someone in the past had put the wronge oil in the box
i looked in the castrol recommended sheet and thay req tqd an auto fluid
also the box taken 2ltr instead or the req 1.5ltr

Edited by s.hogan3 on Tuesday 25th July 19:24

[anonymous-user]

SMX-S fully synthetic

[Jon S]

Asked the same question myself on here some months ago and got lots of different advice. Decided on Castrol SMX and the box is definately smoother. Can t tell what it's like in the cold weather yet, but at the moment 1st to 2nd is slick straight out of the driveway!