Manual Transmission T56 | T5 | MN12 | Clutches | Hydraulics | Shifters

What fluid should I use in my T-56 as per Tremec techincal support

Old 02-26-2008, 05:49 PM
  #1  
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
Shatterz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: N.J.
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Post What fluid should I use in my T-56 as per Tremec techincal support

I see a lot of questions on here asking about what trans fluid should be used in the t-56. I called up Tremec technical support to get the final answer.

-Dexron III is THE most highly recommended all round choice, specifically Texaco/Havoline brand.

-Dexron VI- Still being evaluated and tested, NOT recommended for the T-56 at this time and has caused issues so far in preliminary evaluation.

-Syncromesh- Not really recommended, but can be used in high temp high stress applications(drag racing, very hot climates etc.) since it is thicker than dexron III for some added protection.

-Synthetic- Mobil 1 is the only brand advisable to use and tested by Tremec, can cause shifting issues in colder climates.

So there you go, straight from the manufacturer.
Old 02-26-2008, 06:21 PM
  #2  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
3.4camaro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Galveston, TX
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Yeah, Mobil1. They rock.
Old 02-26-2008, 07:32 PM
  #3  
Internet Mechanic
iTrader: (17)
 
BlackScreaminMachine's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Wallingford CT
Posts: 9,831
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

I personally use Synchromesh, made a huge diff over stock fluid, I highly recommend
Old 02-26-2008, 07:54 PM
  #4  
TECH Addict
 
SladeX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

Royal Purple isn't recommended by SixSpeeds Inc

I've run regular, Mobil 1 and Amsoil in my transmission and found regular felt a bit more notchier when cold.

Mobil 1 and Amsoil feel about the same and both come out looking pretty damn clean at each change that I may just keep it in a bit longer than I've been doing.

Syncromesh is used by a lot of people here with good results, I'd say go with regular off the shelf unless you find a significant improvement with synthetic or syncromesh in how it feels.
Old 02-26-2008, 09:07 PM
  #5  
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (19)
 
MetallicaMatt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Sandusky, Ohio
Posts: 3,155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Per Six Speeds Inc's recommendation, I'm running Redline ATF this year since she'll see the track a lot.

is it 3.5 or 4 quarts?
Old 02-26-2008, 09:22 PM
  #6  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (37)
 
Gun5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Tomball (H-Town), TX
Posts: 2,714
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by SladeX
Royal Purple isn't recommended by SixSpeeds Inc

I've run regular, Mobil 1 and Amsoil in my transmission and found regular felt a bit more notchier when cold.

Mobil 1 and Amsoil feel about the same and both come out looking pretty damn clean at each change that I may just keep it in a bit longer than I've been doing.

Syncromesh is used by a lot of people here with good results, I'd say go with regular off the shelf unless you find a significant improvement with synthetic or syncromesh in how it feels.
goddamn you think its notchy when cold I gotta turn off my car sometimes and start it.. just bled clutch and did some generic DEX III going Mobile 1 now... is it bottle labeled Mobile 1 ATF?
Old 02-27-2008, 12:15 AM
  #7  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
 
bigsticksupra's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 720
Received 5 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

yeah my car shifts real bad when it's cold. what fluid would be the best for cold weather shifting? I always thought the synthetics like Mobil 1 was better for the cold weather??
Old 02-27-2008, 12:16 AM
  #8  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
NHRAMAN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Vancouver,[KITSILANO].B.C. Canada *WestCoast*
Posts: 8,810
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I got DEX III from dealer.
Old 02-27-2008, 12:50 PM
  #9  
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
Shatterz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: N.J.
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by bigsticksupra
yeah my car shifts real bad when it's cold. what fluid would be the best for cold weather shifting? I always thought the synthetics like Mobil 1 was better for the cold weather??
The tech guy from Tremec SPECIFICALLY told me that synthetics can cause hard, notchy shifting in cold weather. He suggested NOT using synthetic if you live where it gets cold often.
Old 02-27-2008, 02:24 PM
  #10  
Banned
iTrader: (60)
 
thesource's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Adkins - Tx
Posts: 2,693
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

And this is coming from the same people that designed the T3650 in the Fords that has a huge known problem with the 3rd gear syncro ring and also the makers of the TKO500 & 600 units that are literally hit and miss with shifting issues .

I've used RP syncromax in a crap load of T5's and T56's with ZERO issues . Its a little slicker than non synthetic ATF but cuts the heat in half for extreme conditions that a lot of folks down here in south Texas deal with in the middle of the summer . Take that for what its worth ....
Old 02-27-2008, 03:26 PM
  #11  
TECH Apprentice
 
Qwiknotch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Granada Hills, Ca
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I have always used ATF with Ford Friction Modifier in every manual transmission I have had. T5, Tremec3550, 3650 and TKO600, T56.
Old 02-27-2008, 03:58 PM
  #12  
Banned
iTrader: (2)
 
Ls1Gummi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Sugarland,Tx
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

What ever u do DONT put Royal Purple in there. That fucked my **** up. Now i use mobil 1 ATF!
Old 02-27-2008, 04:54 PM
  #13  
Registered User
 
alihamza's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I run RP and it shifts a little hard when the fluids cold, but other than that 15K miles and no problems.

Last edited by alihamza; 03-06-2008 at 04:56 PM.
Old 02-27-2008, 06:35 PM
  #14  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
 
bigsticksupra's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 720
Received 5 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

Havoline has a few automatic transmission fluids available.. i am guessing we should use the MD3 in our T56's??

http://www.havoline.com/products/na/transfluids.html
Old 02-27-2008, 06:42 PM
  #15  
Banned
iTrader: (60)
 
thesource's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Adkins - Tx
Posts: 2,693
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Please do tell me how RP destroyed your transmission ....... I would love to hear all about it .
Old 02-27-2008, 06:48 PM
  #16  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (37)
 
Gun5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Tomball (H-Town), TX
Posts: 2,714
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

well 6-speeds inc recommends Mobile 1 ATF in the tranny's and i dont think mobile makes a non syn and dont think they would be running crap
Old 02-27-2008, 07:28 PM
  #17  
TECH Apprentice
 
bichin95redta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Buffalo, N.Y.
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Probably off-topic, as this has to do with breaking in a freshly rebuilt T-56...

BREAK IN PROCEDURE FOR T56REBUILDS.COM CUSTOM BUILT T56 TRANSMISSIONS

1. 4QTS of Royal Purple Synchromax or mobil 1 ATF will be fine. You can purchase both at your local parts store.

2. Normal driving for 500 miles is required for breakin. Please make this as much stop and go as possible. Dynoing the vehicle is fine during break in.

The instruction sheet was in the crate after I got my tranny back from a T56rebuilds.com (billet keys, carbon fiber synchros, steel 1-2, 3-4, & 5-6 forks, & bronze slipper pads) rebuild; they did an outstanding job on my tranny.
Old 02-27-2008, 08:59 PM
  #18  
Banned
iTrader: (2)
 
Ls1Gummi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Sugarland,Tx
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by bichin95redta
Probably off-topic, as this has to do with breaking in a freshly rebuilt T-56...

BREAK IN PROCEDURE FOR T56REBUILDS.COM CUSTOM BUILT T56 TRANSMISSIONS

1. 4QTS of Royal Purple Synchromax or mobil 1 ATF will be fine. You can purchase both at your local parts store.

2. Normal driving for 500 miles is required for breakin. Please make this as much stop and go as possible. Dynoing the vehicle is fine during break in.

The instruction sheet was in the crate after I got my tranny back from a T56rebuilds.com (billet keys, carbon fiber synchros, steel 1-2, 3-4, & 5-6 forks, & bronze slipper pads) rebuild; they did an outstanding job on my tranny.

Oh yea u forgot the part out about no downshifting for the first 500 miles. And "t56rebuilds" now called six speeds inc built my tranny. They told me NOT run rp in my tranny. The additives in it eats the fibers off the blocker rings.Simple as that. So all the people that run rp in their tranny i hope you got about 1000 bucks laying around.
Old 02-27-2008, 09:46 PM
  #19  
TECH Apprentice
 
bichin95redta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Buffalo, N.Y.
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

"Oh yea u forgot the part out about no downshifting for the first 500 miles. And "t56rebuilds" now called six speeds inc built my tranny. They told me NOT run rp in my tranny. The additives in it eats the fibers off the blocker rings.Simple as that. So all the people that run rp in their tranny i hope you got about 1000 bucks laying around."

Ummmmmmmmm............none of that was on the break in instruction sheet that came back with my tranny. What I have read, is that Royal Purple Synchromax, Mobil 1, or any other synthetic ATF DOES degrade OEM T56 internals. When OEM internals are replaced by upgraded, aftermarket internals, synthetics are actually recommended. I'm looking at product literature from AMSOIL right now. The product lookup header reads "2002 PONTIAC FIREBIRD 5.7L 8-cyl VIN Code G. Under "LUBRICANTS & FLUIDS, MANUAL TRANSMISSION", AMSOIL specifies 2 of their synthetics; Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid, and Torque-Drive Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid.

I stoked mine with Royal Purple after it was rebuilt, and had no problems. BTW, I was not aware that t56rebuilds.com had changed their name to six speeds inc. I'd be happy to zap off a copy of the t56rebuilds.com break in instructions, and send it to you.
Old 02-27-2008, 10:31 PM
  #20  
FormerVendor
iTrader: (37)
 
ls1 joe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Houston,Tx
Posts: 3,533
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Royal Purple was previously recomended by us,(more than 2 years ago) but in light of some new info from Libertys Gears, we no longer recomend Royal Purple. Royal Purple has and additive in it that attacks the blocker ring material, and it thins out/ breaks down toward the end of it life cycle. This is not a test that we have done in house, but Liberty Gears, placed a blocker ring in a container filled with Royal Purple , and one in Mobil 1, and after several weeks they noticed that the carbon material from the blocker ringn in Royal Purple started to deteriate. This test was performed several years ago. As a side note I use Royal Purple in my race engine

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: What fluid should I use in my T-56 as per Tremec techincal support



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:31 PM.