View Poll Results: Which fluid is best for a M12 T56?
Redline D4 ATF
53
8.85%
Royal Purple Syncromax
179
29.88%
GM Syncromesh
154
25.71%
OEM Dexron III ATF
213
35.56%
Voters: 599. You may not vote on this poll
Which T56 fluid?
Originally Posted by dailydriver
I wonder if the Amsoil Synchromesh shifts any better in the cold??
My '00 S10 is factory filled with Snychromesh and I changed it at 25k with GM Snychromesh.No differences.Just fresh fluid/maintenance.I then again changed it at 125k but didn't want to pay some ridiculous $20/quart so I switched to the Amsoil as it was new to the market and only $7/quart.After 15k miles nowI can honestly say it is more objectional to shift in the cold (mornings/NY weather here) than the GM Snychromesh was.Once warmed up it does shift easier and does feel a little better/smoother.I myself will leave it in as I go easy on it till it warms up fully,but if you tend to shift a lil rough in the first few minutes of cold driving you will get better/easier shifts with the GM stuff.
now that the lucas additive has been in my car for a while, I do like it in warm weather or after the car has been warmed up for about 20 minutes or so. But when I pull my car to the track on a cold day on a trailer and unload it , I take it for a spin to get gear oil and trans oil warmed up but the trans does not warm up enough and I miss the 3rd almost every pass . In warm weather, It is great though. I beat the hell out of my car at the track to get good times but there is nothing that will **** you off more tehn missing shifts pass after pass when others look at you as a good driver with a stick and you cant make a good pass to save your life on a night with -1500 da
Last edited by AINT SKEERED; Jan 11, 2006 at 01:26 PM.
Don't know if I've given my .02 yet.
Per my transmission rebuilder, who's rebuilt T56s for numerous hi-perf shops in my area, don't use Dex III. Only use Synchromesh or similar (either RP Synchromax or Amsoil Synchromesh). The Dex III is recommended by GM because it will lubricate the tranny internals better than the alternatives when cold, preventing unecessary wear from morons who don't warm it up before beating on it. But the Synchromesh will take care of everything MUCH better when warm, which is where 80%+ of your shifting is done (especially if you care about your car enough to join and post on a forum like this).
Per my transmission rebuilder, who's rebuilt T56s for numerous hi-perf shops in my area, don't use Dex III. Only use Synchromesh or similar (either RP Synchromax or Amsoil Synchromesh). The Dex III is recommended by GM because it will lubricate the tranny internals better than the alternatives when cold, preventing unecessary wear from morons who don't warm it up before beating on it. But the Synchromesh will take care of everything MUCH better when warm, which is where 80%+ of your shifting is done (especially if you care about your car enough to join and post on a forum like this).
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 749
Likes: 0
From: Chandler, Arizona
I'll add an experience from this weekend. I've been running the Honda Z1 ATF for years now both in my 94 and my 01. I had an LS7 clutch put in about a month ago and I didn't have time to go by and buy some Honda ATF, so I told the shop to put in Dexron III. The tranny felt really notchy and I wondered if they didn't bleed the clutch hydraulics enough. I decided to change the tranny fluid yesterday back to Honda ATF and VIOLA, the tranny is shifting much smoother.
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 0
From: Middleburg, FL
I sell Acuras, and just went back to parts and picked up 4 qts of the Honda Z1 ATF. I'm about to change out my clutch and hydraulis in the next week or two, so might as well change tranny fluid too!
I just switched to Redline ATF Dextron III D4 and the trans feels great. The regular Valvoline Dextron III I was using would breakdown on hot days. Trans always went back to normal after I changed the fluid but I was tired of changing the fluid all the time.
Originally Posted by boondiggys
mobil 1...its gaurenteed fully synthetic
I've also heard good things about GM Synchromesh, I definitely wouldn't put regular old ATF in it though, especially if you run the car hard. Its worth the extra few bucks for the best protection for your rather expensive T56
Welp, I went a slightly different route and am going to try Specialty Formulations Synchro Glide. We'll see what happens...should be here late this week/early next.
12 Second Club
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,273
Likes: 0
From: Bucks County, Pa.
Originally Posted by REDSS01
Pennzoil synchromesh...anyone? I just bought it by mistake. 
Should I take it back to Autozone?
Should I take it back to Autozone?
The shop who rebuilt my tranny told me to use regular dex 3 atf fluid and not full synthetic because synthetics is to slippery for the syncros. I went to other tranny shops, and they told me synthetics is fine to use in our vehicle, but since the shop did my rebuilt i listened to him and put regular dex 3
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland, IL USA
MeentSS02- Can you let us know how that lube works...MolaKule over at BITOG forums is highly respected, and that's his lube company he just started up.
Looking at the spec's, that seems to be a pretty kick 8ss lube...thicker when cold than ATF, but still, it should be pretty awesome just looking at the specs.
Even if the result is bad...can you still post back here? I'm just really curious to see how that stuff works...your the first I've seen post on using a SF lube in a F-body T-56.
Thanks!
Chuck
Looking at the spec's, that seems to be a pretty kick 8ss lube...thicker when cold than ATF, but still, it should be pretty awesome just looking at the specs.
Even if the result is bad...can you still post back here? I'm just really curious to see how that stuff works...your the first I've seen post on using a SF lube in a F-body T-56.
Thanks!
Chuck
Originally Posted by chucky2
MeentSS02- Can you let us know how that lube works...MolaKule over at BITOG forums is highly respected, and that's his lube company he just started up.
Looking at the spec's, that seems to be a pretty kick 8ss lube...thicker when cold than ATF, but still, it should be pretty awesome just looking at the specs.
Even if the result is bad...can you still post back here? I'm just really curious to see how that stuff works...your the first I've seen post on using a SF lube in a F-body T-56.
Thanks!
Chuck
Looking at the spec's, that seems to be a pretty kick 8ss lube...thicker when cold than ATF, but still, it should be pretty awesome just looking at the specs.
Even if the result is bad...can you still post back here? I'm just really curious to see how that stuff works...your the first I've seen post on using a SF lube in a F-body T-56.
Thanks!
Chuck
BITOG is where I heard about this, and for the price, it really can't hurt to try. I was looking for Pennzoil Synchromesh, but since I didn't find any local, I just figured what the hell. Might as well give this a shot.
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland, IL USA
MeentSS02- Thanks man! Got your PM...I'll bug you again in 3-4 weeks, just to see how it's going with the initial impression.
I almost can't wait for my FX4 Level II to get out of warranty...soon as it does, I'm ordering up some of MolaKule's stuff for my diffs and transfer case.
Chuck
I almost can't wait for my FX4 Level II to get out of warranty...soon as it does, I'm ordering up some of MolaKule's stuff for my diffs and transfer case.
Chuck