Ordered my Redline ATF-D4 from www.racerpartswholesale.com for $7.19/qt. plus shipping=$140.00(Ouch!) I spoke to a Redline 'tech' at their H/Q and he recommended the D4 for 1/4 mileing and daily driving.

I had a local independent 'quicky' lube change shop do the 'change' with their 'pump-in-pump-out' machine. Took about 35 mins and 14-15 qts. with one left over for topping off, if needed. The old(20,700 miles) was a little darker than the new and had a slight burned odor. The stock trans. has been perfect--I just wanted to upgrade to a synthetic.

Dan

 

Just imagine what it would have looked/smelled like if your truck was making some REAL horsepower?

Mine looks/smells like 90W gear oil! LOL Maybe I need to "thin it out" with some Xylene? Hehehehe

 

OK, golfboy ! Just wait until I get a 'cold-weather', chemically induced dyno--I'll show ya then. Btw, Zylene has been shown to cause erectile disfunction--just ask Mark Martin!

Dan

 

Yo L-Rod, I would do some research on the compatability of synthetic ATF in our Lightnings. From what I have heard, the clutch packs need a certain amount of friction to engage properly. The synthetic ATF is too slippery for the proper engagment and the results have been premature clutch-pack failure. Ask any of the three big tuners on the East coast and I'm sure they will agree. I hope you didn't make a boo-boo. John H.

 

This is not a joke there is a guy who runs motor oil in his transmision, and that is slipier than any trans fluid. So I am sure the synthetic will be fine.

 

Dan that stuff isnt going to help you tomorrow! AHHHHHH....i see...thats going to be YOUR excuse since I used MY transmission excuse last weekend! 140 bux for tranny fluid......yikes...i thought we were in a recession. Xylene does NOT cause erectile dysfunction....I use it and everything I own is stiff except my CLUTCH...but now that is too! Wait till you see my car...it hasnt been washed in a month! I'm gonna clean it up Sunday tho....if she runs right

 

Johnny AC is right,

SVT says no synthetic in the tranny. Yes on the engine. Yes on the rear differential. . . .but they're just the ones who made the truck . . .(what do they know).

 

Believe it or not, the friction materials used in the clutch plates are developed in concert with the OEM specified oils. Different oils have a pronounced effect on tendency to glaze, erosion, delamination, and charring of the friction lining material. They may all meet the Dex3 or Mercon spec, but there are differences in formulation within these boundaries that can have unwanted effects on performance.

The premium synthetic oils may actually perform better in terms of viscosity retention and additive package life, but when used with a different friction material may or may not actually perform worse. We've seen all sorts of behavior with regard to lining - ATF interaction. When you switch oils you are taking a gamble. It may pay off, or not.

IMO: Like crankcase oils, if you really want to be **** about preserving the tranny performance, spend the money on more flush-and-fills with the OEM spec'd ATF.

 

Then why are the tranny's running cooler with motor oil (not ATF) when run at WOT (145 to 175 mph) for 35 to 40 minutes straight? Nobody seems to know the answer.

Spike

 

Regardless of what Ford says synthetic has been awesome in my tranny for the past 13k HARD miles!!!

 

I have had Redline high temp atf in my truck for 10,000km(changed to it at 5000 km) with no problems. Just did the level ten shift kit / 4x4 pan and filter and the oil looked just like new.

 

Glad to hear it. I'd like to hear back from you in 30K. Seriously.

We're really talking about two different things here, which, in transmission are competing effects. The base stock is responsible for boundary layer lubrication of the metal-metal moving parts in the tranny. There are additives to improve lubricity here as well.

Somewhat competing with this are the friction modifiers. They help smooth out the engagement curve and help improve the 'static mu', or holding power of the clutch pack.

So on the one hand you have part of the oil working to make everything as slippery as possible, while another part is working to help things stick together in a controlled fashion. If you developed an oil which was only super slippery (such as perhaps Mobil-1 crank oil) it might eventually cause slipping in the clutch pack. If you develop an oil which is optimized for friction performance, it might not properly lubricate the metal parts. If you add too much of the friction modifiers to the oil you can get premature glazing of the plates.

I did not say that one oil was worse or better. I said we do LOTS of testing of various friction materials in one oil, the OEM spec. We don't have the time or resources to test every material in every possible oil. We do sometimes, but not usually. We know how they perform in the OEM oil. We know if you replace the oil with new identical oil you can return much of the original performance. If you switch oils you are taking a gamble. We don't necessarily know how it will perform. It might pay off. It might wreck your tranny. It's a pretty expensive experiment.

That said, I won't doubt that the Redline Synthetic might be a superior product. I just don't want to be the guinea pig.

YMMV.

 

Hey guys, I gotta ask a question here. If memory serves me correctly, our trucks come with a synthetic trans fluid stock, do they not? When changing my torque converter last year it was recommended that I avoid the synthetic and go to the non. (I either went from the Dex 3 to the Dex 5 or vice-versa). Was this a mistake and should I go back to OEM? The big tuners are the ones that recommended the change in the first place. It sure is great to come to this site and read some real "TECHNICAL" information! Thanks to those of you who do research and share your findings ............ Jack

 

Mercon is what is in Lightning trannys. It is NOT synthetic. There have been many guys who run synthetic with no problems. You are suppose to go by what 's on your trans dipstick handle as to what you put in.

 

Snoop-

I believe (along with the kind folks at the SVT hotline) that you and Johnny AC are right. . .Just in case nobody else on this board tells you.

Seems like everyone is quick to blaze someone who is wrong or mis-informed, but there's definately not enough kudos when someone posts a really helpful reply.

(Like TampaSVT did with the red-paint-touch-up post.)

You guys could have giggled and just moved on to another thread, but you tried to help, and I appreciate it. (being as I belong in that 'still learning about L's' group.) And I hope I'm not alone here.


Later,