Why Should You Not Use Synthetic Fluid In A 4L60E?
11-15-2006, 02:00 PM
#41
TECH Senior Member
Originally Posted by LS1-450
I thought that mixing caused foaming. Can anyone confirm this?
foaming can be caused by high level, low level, sucking air around the filter seal, or pump leak sucking air.
11-16-2006, 01:27 PM
#44
Honestly they are probably all ok from what I have seen , Personally I prefer dexron , only because its inexespensive and readily available ,And it apparently isnt bad stuff i see it every day in cars with 100000 plus miles never changed and still going strong
__________________
12-11-2006, 05:08 AM
#45
Originally Posted by Bill'sWS6
Still waiting for the trans to be opened. I have the new trans in and am still having the same problem. I hope to get some pics up this week. When the fluid was drained there was clucth material in the fluid.
Dammmmmm, I don't know what to do at this point.
I will still stand by the fact that the shifts changed after the synthetic was put in.
I'll try to rush the pics.
Thanks,
Bill
Dammmmmm, I don't know what to do at this point.
I will still stand by the fact that the shifts changed after the synthetic was put in.
I'll try to rush the pics.
Thanks,
Bill
Hi Bill,
Just wanted to check in to see if there were any pics taken. I'm struggling w/ whether or not to change my Amsoil for standard Dex III.
12-24-2006, 04:31 PM
#47
One of the biggest things I see missing from this arguement is static VS dynamic friction and the differential between these types of fricition vs what type of fluid.
With a traditional fluid the dynamic and static coefficients of friction are close together. Fine and dandy.
With synethic fluids you are going to see a bigger difference between the dynamic and static friction of the fluids.
If you have a modified trans with larges clutches synthetic might be something worth looking into. With a stock trans you are going to sometimes see very soft upshifts esp with the 2-3. This might cause excess slipping and premature wear on clutches. I don't see synthetic to be an advantage in either as I doubt the trans was designed from the ground up to work with a looser dynamic vs static friction. Too many variables and addition operational costs. It is easier to design for a fluid that maintains it characteristics.
!!!!NOTE!!!!!!
In a non modified fluid the friction increases as the band or clutch is locking up. Sounds good.
In a modified fluid the available friction decreases as the band or clutch locks up. Sounds backwards.
If you are working on a customers transmission you should always put in the fluid with the correct factory specs or the customers might come back with complaints about shifts feeling too hard or too soft.
Customers requesting modified trans with the additional surface area might not care but I know normal customers getting factory replacement work could get angy about things like that.
With a traditional fluid the dynamic and static coefficients of friction are close together. Fine and dandy.
With synethic fluids you are going to see a bigger difference between the dynamic and static friction of the fluids.
If you have a modified trans with larges clutches synthetic might be something worth looking into. With a stock trans you are going to sometimes see very soft upshifts esp with the 2-3. This might cause excess slipping and premature wear on clutches. I don't see synthetic to be an advantage in either as I doubt the trans was designed from the ground up to work with a looser dynamic vs static friction. Too many variables and addition operational costs. It is easier to design for a fluid that maintains it characteristics.
!!!!NOTE!!!!!!
In a non modified fluid the friction increases as the band or clutch is locking up. Sounds good.
In a modified fluid the available friction decreases as the band or clutch locks up. Sounds backwards.
If you are working on a customers transmission you should always put in the fluid with the correct factory specs or the customers might come back with complaints about shifts feeling too hard or too soft.
Customers requesting modified trans with the additional surface area might not care but I know normal customers getting factory replacement work could get angy about things like that.
12-24-2006, 05:30 PM
#48
Launching!
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Originally Posted by LS1-450
Hi Bill,
Just wanted to check in to see if there were any pics taken. I'm struggling w/ whether or not to change my Amsoil for standard Dex III.
Just wanted to check in to see if there were any pics taken. I'm struggling w/ whether or not to change my Amsoil for standard Dex III.
........................Paul
12-24-2006, 06:49 PM
#49
Originally Posted by DRIVER456
I've been using Amsoil in my trans and I was having a 2nd to 3rd shift problem,From reading these threads I changed to plain Pennzoil Dex 3,I did make some shift point adj. and I swear,Maybe its just me but it feels like its shifting a little firmer then before and shifting fine 2nd to 3rd and I do have a shift kit,So Amsoil in the motor,Plain ol Dex 3 in the trans and Redline in the rear ........................Paul
........................PaulThat's exactly it. Change your fluid back and the trans should operate normally.
12-26-2006, 11:19 AM
#50
Originally Posted by DRIVER456
I've been using Amsoil in my trans and I was having a 2nd to 3rd shift problem,From reading these threads I changed to plain Pennzoil Dex 3,I did make some shift point adj. and I swear,Maybe its just me but it feels like its shifting a little firmer then before and shifting fine 2nd to 3rd and I do have a shift kit,So Amsoil in the motor,Plain ol Dex 3 in the trans and Redline in the rear ........................Paul
........................PaulThanks for the comments. Also, thanks to 2002_Z28Six_Speed & the others whom have posted. Happy Holidays.
Am going back to non-synthetic Dex III. 
08-09-2022, 08:00 AM
#55
This thread is still hilarious ~14 years later!
FWIW - Swapped a 700R4 to Mobile 1 synthetic ATF with 165,000 miles on it. Dropped pan, new filter refilled. Fluid was off color and there was some material on the magnet.
Zero issues. Changed fluid every ~50,000 miles. When car hit ~300,000 miles got more aggressive with transmission fluid changes and did every 25,000 miles. The 700R4 had zero issues at 389,500 miles when car was LS/T56 swapped. We didn't see much material on the magnet after the swap to Mobile. In 25 years only issue was speedometer sensor had to have a new o-ring because it started to weep after 20 years.
As other said, as far as 700R4 or 4L60e go if the transmission has issues after changing to Mobile 1 synthetic ATF - it had them before in my opinion and experience.
02 Z28 w/4L60e had 239,000 miles on it - all with conventional transmission fluid. Swapped to Mobile 1 synthetic ATF with 239,000 miles on it. Dropped pan, new filter refilled. Zero issues at 262,000 miles. Car still gets ~27 mpg highway 😃 😊
I think the key take away is change the fluid before it gets discolored, smells scorched and contaminated. If the car has miles, drop the pan, change filter and clean off magnet. Refill with correct Dextron or Mobile 1 synthetic ATF.
The cost of Mobile 1 synthetic ATF is annoying as mentioned above. Frequent changes and fresh filters go along way and are probably 90% of protecting the durability of a 700R4 or 4L60E regards of Dex or M1.
FWIW - Swapped a 700R4 to Mobile 1 synthetic ATF with 165,000 miles on it. Dropped pan, new filter refilled. Fluid was off color and there was some material on the magnet.
Zero issues. Changed fluid every ~50,000 miles. When car hit ~300,000 miles got more aggressive with transmission fluid changes and did every 25,000 miles. The 700R4 had zero issues at 389,500 miles when car was LS/T56 swapped. We didn't see much material on the magnet after the swap to Mobile. In 25 years only issue was speedometer sensor had to have a new o-ring because it started to weep after 20 years.
As other said, as far as 700R4 or 4L60e go if the transmission has issues after changing to Mobile 1 synthetic ATF - it had them before in my opinion and experience.
02 Z28 w/4L60e had 239,000 miles on it - all with conventional transmission fluid. Swapped to Mobile 1 synthetic ATF with 239,000 miles on it. Dropped pan, new filter refilled. Zero issues at 262,000 miles. Car still gets ~27 mpg highway 😃 😊
I think the key take away is change the fluid before it gets discolored, smells scorched and contaminated. If the car has miles, drop the pan, change filter and clean off magnet. Refill with correct Dextron or Mobile 1 synthetic ATF.
The cost of Mobile 1 synthetic ATF is annoying as mentioned above. Frequent changes and fresh filters go along way and are probably 90% of protecting the durability of a 700R4 or 4L60E regards of Dex or M1.
08-10-2022, 12:01 AM
#56
In contrast to the ancient history in this old thread, today we have Dex VI which sort renders the conventional/synthetic debate irrelevant. Although back in the day some builders thought Dex VI might be a little too slippery for clutches - along with synthetics - I think it has stood the test of time.
08-10-2022, 07:12 PM
#57
TECH Junkie
Honestly straight Dexron III is still perfectly fine for Today...
Dexron VI is NOT a necessity for older Transmissions, but it works Great!
Dexron VI is NOT a necessity for older Transmissions, but it works Great!
08-11-2022, 06:53 AM
#58
I have bought 2 trans from Performabuilt. One is in my 94 Impala SS car that I currently have and doing a LS2 swap on and keeping the trans in it. It has over 70k hard miles on it, including nitrous launches and I bought that one in 2002. The other I bought in 2006 had was driven on hard and sold to a guy and it's behind a 700rwhp motor now. Both have had Amsoil in them since after initial break in using the fluid they put in them.
Only problem I ever had was a tuner broke the converter on the dyno once. Replaced it and all is fine.
Only problem I ever had was a tuner broke the converter on the dyno once. Replaced it and all is fine.
08-11-2022, 02:23 PM
#59
TECH Junkie
I pretty much exclusively use Amsoil products for all of my Engine Builds.
Great stuff!
Great stuff!
08-12-2022, 07:47 PM
#60
so with trannys and amsoil....dex3 for older....or just dex 6 spec for everything?
edit...just looked....seems all their tranny fliud is multi spec....universal oil
Last edited by sjsingle1; 08-12-2022 at 07:52 PM.