01GTDropTop

After many searches of which tranny fluid to use in my tranny, I decided to use the "secret sauce" (2.5 qts Mobil 1 ATF + .75 qt of Lucas Tranny Fix) and the end result is extremely notchy shifts and a 2nd gear grind from hell! (which was not present until the change)
I have to snail pace the 1-2 shift for it to engage normally.
I was first chalkin this up to Kansas 20-30 degree weather but this happens even when the trans is at full operating temp.

Should I flush and use just 3.2 qts of Mobil 1 ATF Instead?? I definitely need to get this fluid out of here because its driving me nuts.

EDIT: just hit 46K on the clock.

After doing more searches, people swear by GM/Pennzoil Syncromesh.

Thoughts?

TRUEBLUE3934

I have read extensive threads on this subject on a BULLITT forum and the end result of a lot of experimentation by a lot of guys is to use a lightweight fluid. The Lucas Tranny Fix is actually thickening the fluid which just makes the condition worse.

One guy that is extremely trustworthy has tested many of the different fluids and he now swears by the AMSOIL ATF. It is a very light viscosity which seems to be the desired characteristic. Blockers and syncros like to be lubricated and the tolerances are so tight that thicker fluids cannot easily get to where it needs to be.

I have been running Mobile 1 in my trans for a couple of years now and found it better than the factory fluid. Quite possibly the bigger factor, or at least equally important, is the revised fill level for the TR3650 trans. Initially, the specification called for 3.2 quarts but has been changed to 102oz ONLY!!! This lower fill level has made a big difference for many guys who were having shifting issues.

I plan to put AMSOIL ATF in my car in the next couple of weeks.

Try the AMSOIL ATF and 102oz fill level and post up how that works for you.
Note: it is FAR easier to add exactly 102oz of fluid by pulling the shifter off the top of the trans and simply pouring it straight into the top of the trans.
GOOD LUCK!!!

cliffyk

See the footnote below, from the Tremec 3650 service manual:



Also note the recommended fluid, I had run RP Synchromax for a couple changes over 70k miles or so--because I could get it at cost--when that source dried up I switched to M1 ATF and found it to be much smoother, almost eliminating the slight 1-2 glitch.

Whoever stated that Lucas Transmission Fix (LTF) should be used in the 3650 needs to have their mouth wired shut (and their fingers cut off so that they cannot type)--LTF is for automatic transmissions (and "light-duty manual transmissions" per their website)--the 3650 falls into neither of those categories...

01GTDropTop

I appreciate the responses and information.
Have you any experience with Pennzoil/GM Synchromax? Or as stated a simple M1 ATF should suffice in replacement?
Will it perform just as well in 0-30 degree temps?

cliffyk

GM Synchromesh (Synchromax is Royal Purple's trade name) is just GM's owner's manual recommended fluid got the Tremec transmissions used in the Corvette (and maybe in that odd looking pick-up thing as well), and it is one of Tremec's alternative recommendations for the 3650--if M1 ATF or Dexron III are not available.

M1 ATF is hardly a low or middle end product, and is Tremec's #1 recommendation, so I don't quite understand your asking if it would "suffice"? As I said above myself, and others as well, have found it to be superior to RP and other "premium" brands.

As to it's performance at 0-30° (I assume Fahrenheit), it is a premium full synthetic ATF so I would expect it the perform well in temperatures well below 0°F.

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You pique'd my curiousity, this is from Mobil's M1 ATF product description sheet:



-54°C = -65.2°F, so it should be OK at 0°F...

cliffyk

FWIW, I just did a bit of research on Pennzoil Synchromesh, it is dino oil ("high=quality paraffinic base stocks").

GM's Synchromesh is a "partially synthetic" blend (I could not find any GM literature)...

01GTDropTop

Well when you put it that way...lol

Thanks again, you saved me from driving an hour out to pick up some Synchromesh. (Kansas is scarce on certain auto supplies) :-/

I'll drain this mixture out and replace with straight 3.2 qts of M1 ATF.

jrp1588

That's the old fill level I think. As stated by another member above, it's been revised to 102oz

01GTDropTop

So now it's 3 qts and 6 oz? Jumped from 4 qts down to 3 qts/6 oz?

I have a 700 mile road trip ahead of me, I need to know the PROPER fill level. I don't want to be stranded between Kansas and Houston.

cliffyk

102/32 = 3.1875, or 3.2qt to round things off.

The spec is actually 3.0L which is 101.44oz, or 3.17006qt.

However as 3.2/3.17006 = 1.0094446, or 0.944% too much 3.2qt is fine...