wondering what weight can i use i live in northern cali and is synthetic ok? i use amsoil on my cars and need to know what cert. it needs gl-4 gl-5 ?

 

It looks like you're a fairly new noobie so I'll respectfully tell you that it's okay to use the search button to find what you are looking for. CLICK HERE Here's the answer staright from the manual on what spec fluid you need.

3.25 qts of Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid
(MTF) HQ Multi 75W-85 or API GL-4, Viscosity
SAE 75W-85 or 75W-90

Synthetic is okay as long as the fluid meets the specs pointed out above. I myself use Redline MT-90 which is 75W-90.

 

I also use Redline MT90, i've noticed smoother shifting when the oil is warmed up, but significantly worse performance when the oil is cold (we've had a harsh michigan winter this year)

In cold weather, cold oil startup:
Basically it wont let me put it into any gear, whether its first, second, or reverse. I have to release the clutch then try a second time and then finally it allows me to put it into gear. Minor draw-back? This happens with temps below 20 F usually during night time.

Random Fifth gear grinding:
With Nissan oil i kept on getting the fifth gear grind, where it would grind big time and not allow me to put it into 5th gear.
But with Redline MT90, i only get a small grind sensation but I am able to easily put into 5th gear (but still get a small grind feeling and sound).

 

Yup, with jsut MT90 I have a hard time getting into first and only first at cold startup and when the temperature is cold outside, < 50 deg F. I can get it into first but there is more resistance so I have to give it more muscle. But the fluid warms up pretty quickly after a minute or two so its no big deal. If the temp is nice and warm outside there are no problems at all.

Has anyone tried a mixture of MT-90 and MTL? I know this won't satisfy the oil weight specifications set forth by Nissan but I'm thinking the thinner MTL may make those cold weather, cold startup low gear shifts easier and smoother.

 

I currently have the MT-90 and MTL mix in mine right now. I still think getting into first gear when its cold is tough - although, I don't recall it being tougher than with the stock fluid. (Then again, with a short shifter, it makes that problem a slight bit tougher).

I don't mind though, its usually gone by about a half a mile of driving.

 

I was running a 50/50 mixture of Redline MTL/MT-90 and it seemed to work well. I never had any tranny problems with stock fluid or the synthetic. Temperature here is hardly ever below 50 though so I can't comment on cold weather performance.

 

Personally, I do find the oem tranny fluid to work the best. However, they can't quite stand up to the elevated temps of track events (becomes notchier). Typically, I'd replace the fluid after a few events.

I'm curious to try the Shell Spirax Synth (that is alledgely a perfect match for our tranny) ... but have yet have any luck finding them locally. For details ... Read Here

 

Yeah, I didn't notice any huge differences when I switched from the stock Nissan fluid to the Redline. Guess it's just that the Redline is able to stand up to elevated temperatures on track days.

 

Darin,
Did you notice any degradation after the last track outting w. us?

 

Check your local Shell commercial lube outlet centres. If it's not listed in the yellow pages, call the Shell centre help desk and they will tell you where to find it, in your local area. The phone number should be listed on the web site.

I use the Shell Spirax Synthetic and just love it! Smoothed out the trany shifting and it actuallys feels nicer to drive. I also use the lube oil in the rear differential as well. Haven't really noticed any difference in driving charateristics with changing out the rear diff oil. It would be interesting to see how it may or may not help civilize a aftermarket LSD.

Basically I was amazed how much of a difference it really made.

 

Clint, I did not notice any type of degradation after the last track event. But if I were to notice any degradation what would I be looking for in your experience?

G35_6MT, now you've really peaked my interest for this Shell Spirax. Just might have to research around to find me some. If anyone finds a place to order this stuff please post up as will I.

 

Did some research on the Shell Spirax and found this.

Shell Spirax S

http://www.shell-lubricants.com/prod...php?code=59226

Specification Sheet

http://www.shell-lubricants.com/prod...df/SpiraxS.pdf


Not sure if this is the exact one you are using G35_6MT but I'm confident it is.
If so then it can be ordered by contacting Shell online or calling thier 800 number.
Also you can lookup the nearest distributor to you and ask if they carry this stuff.
Here's the link.

http://www.shell-lubricants.com/distributors.php

 

It's largely a subjective deal. The gears still engage but not with the same silky smooth action right after a flush. They'll remain smooth for sometime until I track the car; a sure sign of the dino based oem fluid having sheared down to a lesser weight from the elevated operating temperature during a track day. You may not have been working the tranny that hard on that day ... or the Redlines were actually doing something for ya.

I'm hoping for good results w. the synth based Shell Spirax S 75W90. I managed to locate some local distributors that sells them in bulk ... but I'm not sure if they'll deal w. the general public.

Try this link HERE

 

Anyobdy tried Royal Purple Max-Gear 75W-90 in the tranny?

http://www.royalpurple.com/prodsa/mgeara.html

 

I think Vinh (drsifu1) has that in his car. Might want to PM him or have him post here for his impressions. My friend put that in his 6MT coupe as well and he said he didn't notice anything over the stock fluid.