2000 T56 fill
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Westminster, MD
2000 T56 fill I know this subject has been beat to death and debated over and over, but I need clarification. I've found many many threads debating fill levels and fluid types, and am trying to chase down a solution to a noise in my transmission. I just changed my transmission fluid and the only non-synthetic fluid I found locally was Castrol Transmax Dex/Merc. I used the fill hole method. I'm not sure if the sound is actually louder after my fluid change or if the sound seems louder because I'm increasingly paranoid about it. My trans is shifting fine and the sound is not loud, but present particularly in lower gears around ~2500 rpm. The questions I want to ask without too much debate:
1) Will adding 1/2+ quart more like suggested in the reverse lamp method simply quiet down a noisy trans? Wasn't this the solution for a noisy trans?
2) Is synchromesh known to quiet down noise? Like I previously stated, my trans shifts fine so I do not want to debate the issue of synchromesh shifting smoother vs other fluids.
I'm addressing these issues before investigating issues with something within the trans or the throw out/pilot bearings.
1) Will adding 1/2+ quart more like suggested in the reverse lamp method simply quiet down a noisy trans? Wasn't this the solution for a noisy trans?
2) Is synchromesh known to quiet down noise? Like I previously stated, my trans shifts fine so I do not want to debate the issue of synchromesh shifting smoother vs other fluids.
I'm addressing these issues before investigating issues with something within the trans or the throw out/pilot bearings.
Just did mine, used the gm manual trans fluid and it is much happier. Was skeptical about it but it quieted it down and took 90% of the notchy feeling out of it. Filled it to the bottom of the fill hole.
TECH Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,985
Likes: 112
Without debating syn vs dyno oil....you can try the over fill (remove shifter and pour in) using whatever fluid you put in.
I have found Redline D4 to "reduce" cold notchy shifting but no experience of it making a tranny quieter
with that said I don't think you will have any issues in trying either to see if it resolves your "noise" issue.
I believe Tremac stopped using paper blocker rings in the T56 98 or 99 which was the reason DEX3 (non synthetic) was spec for the fill on the earlier years of T56
I have found Redline D4 to "reduce" cold notchy shifting but no experience of it making a tranny quieter
with that said I don't think you will have any issues in trying either to see if it resolves your "noise" issue.
I believe Tremac stopped using paper blocker rings in the T56 98 or 99 which was the reason DEX3 (non synthetic) was spec for the fill on the earlier years of T56
Originally Posted by ******
Without debating syn vs dyno oil....you can try the over fill (remove shifter and pour in) using whatever fluid you put in.
I have found Redline D4 to "reduce" cold notchy shifting but no experience of it making a tranny quieter
with that said I don't think you will have any issues in trying either to see if it resolves your "noise" issue.
I believe Tremac stopped using paper blocker rings in the T56 98 or 99 which was the reason DEX3 (non synthetic) was spec for the fill on the earlier years of T56
I have found Redline D4 to "reduce" cold notchy shifting but no experience of it making a tranny quieter
with that said I don't think you will have any issues in trying either to see if it resolves your "noise" issue.
I believe Tremac stopped using paper blocker rings in the T56 98 or 99 which was the reason DEX3 (non synthetic) was spec for the fill on the earlier years of T56
TECH Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,985
Likes: 112
DEX 3 was/is a "mineral" based lubricant. So there is no true "synthetic" that is DEX 3...just that some synthetics are "compatible" from that particular manufacturer. Does compatible mean every seal, blocker ring, etc inside a transmission is not going to be negatively effected, IDK. Obviously GM or Tremac can't test every fluid type so they spec one fluid they feel is ideal for their specific transmissions
I called D&D who I bought my T56 from new and they said Mobil 1 or Redline D4 would be fine for post paper blocker ring T56
The move to synthetics and making tranny internals compatible with them is the direction car & transmission manufactures went to as synthetic fluids evolved. Longer fluid life and better lubrication longevity = less service intervals
The Dex III non- synthetic will do everything your trans. needs.
The biggest potential lubrication problem isn't solved by changing to a different fluid.
Synthetic will not help anything unless it is your DD in Duluth. Turbo customers here are fine with Dex III. Even then, carbon in a T56 doesn't have the cold shift problems bronze does in a TR6060, so don't sweat it. And some synthetics don't have the friction properties best for the blockers, which is why Dex VI is not approved by anyone for the TR6060.
Save your money, run the cheap Dex III, use a full 4qts, and when you surpass a certain power level or vehicle weight, you're adding a lube pump.
The biggest potential lubrication problem isn't solved by changing to a different fluid.
Synthetic will not help anything unless it is your DD in Duluth. Turbo customers here are fine with Dex III. Even then, carbon in a T56 doesn't have the cold shift problems bronze does in a TR6060, so don't sweat it. And some synthetics don't have the friction properties best for the blockers, which is why Dex VI is not approved by anyone for the TR6060.
Save your money, run the cheap Dex III, use a full 4qts, and when you surpass a certain power level or vehicle weight, you're adding a lube pump.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
I put car quest brand atf in my 95 camaro's t56 and it made a huge difference on how the car shifts. It's so much smoother now and doesn't have trouble going into 1st and reverse anymore.
Originally I bought synthetic for it but then did some reading on this forum and decided against it an i'm glad I did!
I filled it up to the overflow hole. My buddy changed the fluid on his 98 trans am by taking the shifter out but my center console is a lot harder to take out so i decided to do it laying on the ground
Originally I bought synthetic for it but then did some reading on this forum and decided against it an i'm glad I did!
I filled it up to the overflow hole. My buddy changed the fluid on his 98 trans am by taking the shifter out but my center console is a lot harder to take out so i decided to do it laying on the ground
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Westminster, MD
For what it's worth, I decided to call Tremec directly and get their opinions. Tremec said that adding fluid is not going to quiet anything, the fill plug method is the preferred level, Dex III is the recommended fluid, and synthetic is fine FOR MY YEAR.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 652
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburgh
Did they confirm paper rings stopped in '99?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Westminster, MD
I should maybe add a small disclaimer with my call to Tremec that I was not directly forwarded to any kind of "tech support" center or anything. The guy answering the phone answered my questions directly. They did not give any clarification on when the paper rings stopped or if I had them or even if the paper blocker ring problem was confirmed or not, they simply stated that my year was fine with synthetic (which was the question I asked, sorry for the lack of clarification).
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 652
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburgh
I should maybe add a small disclaimer with my call to Tremec that I was not directly forwarded to any kind of "tech support" center or anything. The guy answering the phone answered my questions directly. They did not give any clarification on when the paper rings stopped or if I had them or even if the paper blocker ring problem was confirmed or not, they simply stated that my year was fine with synthetic (which was the question I asked, sorry for the lack of clarification).
Tremec's site says:
http://tremec.com/menu.php?m=110#Q1
Q: What type of fluid does TREMEC recommended?
A: For all TKO 5-speed models, TREMEC recommends GM Synchromesh (GM Part # 12345349). For all other aftermarket models we recommend Dexron III ATF.
Q: Why use automatic transmission fluid in a manual gearbox?
A: Automatic transmission fluids provide the necessary protection and lubrication, while still allowing the synchronizer to function at its best.
Q: Why not use a synthetic fluid?
A: Some brands of synthetic fluid contain powerful detergents and additives that can prove harmful to your transmission's synchronizers. While many synthetic fluids perform very well, in most cases, we do not recommend their use. Furthermore, they may void your warranty. For peace of mind, remember that TREMEC conducts all of its OEM validation testing using conventional fluids without issue.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
I went from the factory fill on my 01 T/A to Mobil 1 synthetic and it started grinding on the first 1-2 shift on cold mornings. Changed it out for Dex III and it improved. Sounds counter-intuitive, I know, but that's what happened.
TECH Regular
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 431
Likes: 1
From: Washington
Here's another story for the mix. I have a cammed 2jz with my T56, idling at 800rpm it's kinda lopy and with warm tranny fluid the counter shaft bangs and rattles on all the gears in neutral and the harmonics are bad at a 4th gear pull below 2000rpk while cruising. Nothing wrong with the tranny, can't change the centerline of the main/counter shaft. My builders solution was to add a quart or Lucas oil stabilizer. You know, the thick molasis stuff. Well the problem is there, but it's half gone now! Without it, sounds like a rod bearing is going out
So in my triple carbon syncro setup, I'm running one quart synchromesh. Two quarts manual transmission fluid and one quart Lucas. Topped off with more manual transmission fluid tillnit comes out the full hole
Driving is just fine, slightly notchy on cold mornings but I'm not ripping on it anyways. At the track I'm able to click off .25 to .3 second shifts, and that clutch switch to clutch switch
So in my triple carbon syncro setup, I'm running one quart synchromesh. Two quarts manual transmission fluid and one quart Lucas. Topped off with more manual transmission fluid tillnit comes out the full hole
Driving is just fine, slightly notchy on cold mornings but I'm not ripping on it anyways. At the track I'm able to click off .25 to .3 second shifts, and that clutch switch to clutch switch