Swepco Trans Oil

jacko241 · 02-12-2005, 05:30 AM

Does anyone know if Swepco trans oil is synthetic?

IROC · IROC's Garage

Swepco 201 is not.

Mike

jacko241 · 02-12-2005, 05:48 AM

Is that the lube that everyone raves about using in 915 trans?

Nine9six · Nine9six's Garage

Yes, it is...

jacko241 · 02-12-2005, 08:47 AM

Ok, thanks guys!

Jim Sims · 02-12-2005, 09:02 AM

Do not use a synthetic gear oil in a 915; the synchros work less well with a synthetic.

KobaltBlau · 02-12-2005, 09:23 AM

None of the SWEPCO products are synthetic. I believe that a synthetic without a friction modifier (not common, for instance over the counter Mobil 1 has friction modifier) can also be suitable, but if you want to be safe just get SWEPCO.

jacko241 · 02-12-2005, 09:25 AM

I wonder what Porsche recommends

Wil Ferch · 02-12-2005, 09:29 AM

Porsche recommends ( during the 915 years) anything rated GL-5....

Wil

jacko241 · 02-12-2005, 09:49 AM

Ok, thanks Wil. Anything else I have changed to synthetic, including my old Ferrari, has improved shifting. Hard to understand why 915 does not respond in a similar manner.

Wil Ferch · 02-12-2005, 10:06 AM

The balk-ring syncros ( "Porsche" style syncros) are like expanding rings to work properly and require a higher degree of friction to work.

The Borg-Warner style or cone style syncros can still work with the slippery-er synthetics...

Wil

KobaltBlau · 02-12-2005, 11:43 AM

ah, but many older ferraris also have balk ring syncros. I can't comment specifically on a '77 308. What fluid did you use in the 308?

jacko241 · 02-12-2005, 11:58 AM

Royal Purple 75w90. It shifts sooo much better now at all temps

donstevens · donstevens's Garage

Jacko241 reports the RP works good in his car. I am an Amsoil fan but to be perfectly honest I have seen mixed results in 915 boxes. I had poor results with Redline MTL in a 915 box.

My point is that there are several good synthetic gear lubes out there and some work better than others in the 915.

Don

M.D. Holloway · 02-12-2005, 06:14 PM

Swepco has 4 different gearbox oils - 201, 203, 210 and 213. None are synthetic and all use an additive package that is purchased from a few different speciality companies. They use a Group 1 base stock which has the highest level of sulfur and lowest VI. The 201 is used for auto applications., the 210 & 213 are for heavy equipment applications. The synthetics that ExxonMobil and Red line offer are more oxidatively stable but they do not provide as good a wear resistance pack as the Swepco or even Royal Purple and the other thing that Swepco, Royal Purple and a bunch of other indeys like certified Labs, Chemsearch, mantek, and Lubra Systems do is put in adhesive cohesive polymenrs that are shear stable. These actuall are sticky and will reduce start-up wear dramatically. The oil climbs and clings. This helps becuase when the oil drains down, therewill always be a thin coating that adds protection. Tis maybe one of several reasons why many of you guys have had good luck with the indys.

dmt-n-jax · 02-12-2005, 07:46 PM

What is the best for the G-50?
I am running Mobile 1 now and it's seems ok.

M.D. Holloway · 02-12-2005, 07:53 PM

I'm going weak here but I would stick to what works for ya. Not knowing anything and wanting to get the best, several indys are great, Swepco comes close but they are inconsistant in their manufacturing. Modil 1 is a good oil and if it is working for you stick with it. If you want some great oils, Certifid Lab's CERTOP line, Chemsearch's GEARCO oils, Manteks / Kernit's MANCO MP's and Royal Purples oils along with Hydrotex and Lubrication Enegneers are very good.

KobaltBlau · 02-12-2005, 08:34 PM

Mobil 1 is great for a G50.

jack0241, if your 915-equipped car has a limited slip differential, SWEPCO is the safest choice. But you might try the royal purple.

If your 915-equipped car does not have a limited slip, I would recommend Red Line 75w-90ns. It's important to get the ns version, which may work well with a limited slip, but may make it too "grabby"

Noel · 02-13-2005, 04:11 AM

I've used Swepco for years, but at my next change I plan to just use regular off the shelf 90 weight GL-5 non-synthetic. $10 a quart (~$40 a Gallon) for conventional (non-syntheti) oil is a bit much, IMO.

jacko241 · 02-13-2005, 05:02 AM

That was kinda my point for asking the question in the first place. The price seems a bit steep for a conventional oil, and I was wondering what made it so special. Since it is an independant oil company, and based in the west, it's popularity on this board seems to be based at least in part in the fact that it is a well known brand on the west coast. The majority of the posts I read on this board are from people from there, and while I am sure it is a good product, I think there are comparable products that are not as well known in the west. As a number of people have pointed out in this thread, Royal Purple is a good product, is a synthetic, and isn't much more pricey that the Swepco!