Shockproof gear oil

[dogsharks]

Anyone have any experience with the Red Line Shockproof gear oil??

www.redlineoil.com/redlineoil/spgoti.htm

I've had some pretty outstanding experience with the Amsoil Series 2000 75W90 synthetic gear lube (easier shifting and less noise), but just wondered if anyone has used the Red Like "shockproof" in a Porsche transaxle.

Dogsharks

[jeff m]

A lot of people use SWEPCO 201, $38/gallon.
Jeff

[dogsharks]

Hi Jeff, the Swepco brand is a very good one but to my knowledge it's a natural oil, could be wrong but that's my impression. My highest milage car, a 944 with 165,000 miles had quite a bit of noise coming from the transaxle, and it shifted stiffly when cold. I was using Swepco at the time, as installed by a very trusted Porsche mechanic during a major service call (all belts, hoses, water pump, etc). I changed to a synthetic gear lube and it was "almost" as good as a rebuild on the transaxle. It shifted perfectly when cold, and importantly, that nagging "noise" was gone. The product I used was the Series 2000 Amsoil 75W90 which is a superb and rather expensive product. I'm sure there are other brands that provide the same performance, and I note Mobil-1 has one but it doesn't have the performance spec and GL listings that Amsoil does (it's also less expensive). I think Red Line has some great products, and there are a lot of Porsche drivers using it.

I discovered the "shockproof" Redline product, and noted the spec too, and wondered how it would perform in a Porsche transaxle. It's a major step up from the synthetic product I used, so I'm wondering if it would be yet another improvement in the cushioning of old gears and synchros.

I don't rely on what I read on the can. I try to get independent specs, hands on experience, and whatever I can find to eventually make a decision. I can tell you from my experience, the synthetic I used in the transaxle made a big difference. I also tried it in my 928 5-speed, and it made less of a difference in that particular car, perhaps because of the milage and condition of that box (which needs a rebuild due to a bearing seemingly going out).

Regards,
Dogsharks

[jeff m]

Dogsharks,
I didn't know much about the redline oils except that it's a favourite of the esprit lot.
I have a gallon of Swepco waiting to go in mine, and a few other small jobs but just been hit by a ton of snow so looks like it may wait 'til the spring.
A search in Lotus may turn ip some long term redline users.
Jeff

[dogsharks]

Swepco is a great product, however there are synthetics that make Swepco look bad by comparison. It's not that Swepco is bad, it's just the fact that the synthetics offer so much more.

Red Line is sold in the US and easily available. I'm sure there are brands in UK that are equally good, that are not readily available in US. I would use the RedLine and Amsoil (Series 2000 75W90) as a specification guideline representing the best.

good luck.

If it was me, I'd find someone who wanted the Swepco at a bargain.

Dogsharks

[GT4T]

Hope you don't mind that I bring this topic up from the past, but I am hoping that, since this thread was started, more people have used Red Line ShockProof oil. There is a group of us who are using Porsche G50 family transaxles in GT40 replicas who have been discussing which gear oil would be best to use with torquey V8s. We really stress the ring and pinion and most have LSDs; the ShockProof is great for these. But, while LSDs like real slippery gear oil, synchronizers don't. So I was hoping that someone who has or is using ShockProof can tell us if the shifting has been negatively affected by its use?

Regards,
Lynn
www.GT40s.com

[phelix]

Redline's recommendations are as follows:

Porsche 911 - 901, 915 & 928 - 75W90NS, may need small% frintion modifier with limted slip

Porsche 911 - from '87, G-50 - 1 Qt. LightWeight Gear Oil + 3 Qt. 75W90NS

[turbobloke]

FWIW in a 911t (965) producing a modest 400+ lb ft and with a G50 box, keeping Porsche's recommended oil in the transaxle gave notchier shifts and more slippy diff chatter than BMW's recommended synthetic oil for their M-series cars. It's been in the car for some years now and no regrets.

[spenny_b]

I've used RedLine Shockproof trans oil in my Westfield, both for (the previous) Quaife/Ford Type-9 Straight Cut Synchro'd box and for a Quaife ATB LSD.

Although I no longer use the Quaife 'box, Phil Stewart from Road & Race Transmissions nr Brands Hatch in Kent recommends RL products, he does a LOT of boxes for the Caterham and Westfield guys, plus other transmission items for other marques as well...clever chap, knows his onions, and certainly an opinion I trust.

I'm no expert on oils, tbh, but apparently there is a marked difference when using shockproof oils. Can't remember the viscocities I use, old bottles down in the shed!

Edited to say that the Westie doesn't have anywhere near the torque of the GT40 boys, approx 200lb/ft from a 2ltr Vx 16v, but it does rev to 9000, so quite a diff loading on the transmission....in otherwords, not that relevant...oops..."Taxi for Spencer!!"....


>> Edited by spenny_b on Saturday 6th August 00:53

[GT4T]

Turbobloke - thanks for that info. I am about to put a BMW 325E clutch slave on the G50 (The Porsche slave is upside down* and a PITA to take out, bleed and then replace.) I'll check their specs while doing that.
* The whole tranny is upside down in a GT40-gives 5 forward speeds and a lower center of gravity :-)

spenny_b good to hear good things about the ShockProof. PowerHaus II (the Ultima guys know who this is) recommends Lightweight ShockProof for pure street and Heavyweight ShockProof for race/street.

phelix - I saw that recommendation on a race parts vendor's website the other day. The Red Line 75W90NS is very good stuff and is what I will use if I don't use the ShockProof. But, I do think that recommendation is a little dated. Today, with my LSD, I will add just enough Friction Modifier (FM) to stop in chatter in the diff clutches. I think the FM is a fairly recent addition to the Red Line product list and its function was done by the Lightweight Gear Oil. Even the Lightweight gear oil verbiage on the Red Line website says that it "may to slippery for some synchros." This would definitely include the pre-87 Porsche boxes.

Thanks to everyone, do stop by our website if you get a chance. Lots of Brits there; including, both of the GT40 clubs from England (basically hill climbers and traditionalists.)

Regards,
Lynn