Actually, either the 80W-90, or the straight SAE 90 should be fine for street/track driving. The SAE ratings are done at two temperatures ... the 'W' (for winter) rating is tested at 0 degrees F, and the non-suffixed ratings are done at 212 degrees F, so if we are interested what they do in a transaxle at 240 degrees F, the 80W-90 and straight 90 should be the same viscosity at 212 F, and presumably the same at 240 F, as well.

Whether a strictly track car should use the SAE 80W-90, 90, 140, or the SWEPCO 210 multi-weight 80W-140, would probably depend on what temperatures the oil in your transaxle is actually running at. And, I suspect one of the consultants at SWEPCO would probably want to know that, and how long the races are.

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Okay guys:

Do yourselves all a favor and visit the WebSite, and then call SWEPCO (they have an 800 number listed) and talk with Louis Fox. He is a dvelopment engineer, and he has told me that SWEPCO 201 is the gear oil of choice for both the transmission and the differential, OF ANY CAR. Mr. Fox says that SWEPCO 203 is the same thing as 201, except that it has a little bit more molybdium disulphide in it, but Porsches don't need this additional moly. And why wold you think that an oil for indistrial applications is appropriate for a Porsche?

Does anyone really think that any one brand oil is better than another? I DON'T THINK SO. I have never heard of any car which has had a catastrophic or even long-term distaster because of the BRAND of oil. The type of oil yes (too thin is not very good). So again, do yourselves all a favor and change the oil, while hot, and change it often. Oil gets dirty, gets carbonized, gets superheated during the summer and while on the track, but if you change it at 3,000 miles, you'll NEVER have any problems. Cahnge your tranny oilk every 30,000, and you will never have any trouble.

And besides, when you change your oils, you can also inspect your own car for all the other things that MIGHT go wrong or that need periodic maintenance. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS NO MAINTENANCE IN ANYTHING, BE IT A MECHANICAL OBJECT OR YOUR OWN BODY.

There - that's off my chest now......Andras

Thanks Warren. I understand SAE ratings, just wondered if this oil was as good at 0'F as is is at 240'F. Living in Texas you would most certainly use different oils in the winter than I do. I've never noticed a sluggish tranny before in the winter using "regular" oils, just wanted some input there.

Having owned a quick lube center and been educated by different mfrs of oil let me say there is major differences in oils.

The refining process to extract motor oils are pantented and trade secrets to each oil company and in addition each puts in their own propreitary additives and detergents in various ratios.
What part of the world the oil came from makes major diffrences also ,look at a motor that has used exclusively a parrafin base oil such as Pennzoil or Quaker State you will see sludge and other deposits, at my lube center we used Pennzoil exclusively because of there heavy promotion and advertising efforts people thought it was the best and requested it
Pennzoil is the no.1 brand of oil sold by far in the US but that doesn't mean its the best
From what I have learned the 915 1st and 2nd gear syncros are good for about 30k max before they wear out
After about 100k the 915 starts shifting quirky and typically will fail by 150k no matter how diligent you are at changing your fluid or careful at shifting


[This message has been edited by jryerson (edited 06-10-2000).]

well that's bad news but it's what I believe. Mine has 147k miles, and it still shifts quirky in spite of recent clutch, etc. I do believe Swepco is not to blame. Instead I believe our cars' shifting wear parts (synchro hubs, sleves, etc) simply wear out somewhat quickly. I think I can expect some new tranny rebuilding experience soon. Or I'll talk to Paul Weir when I'm in Seattle next. I'd like to see what their shop looks like. And I'll describe it to you when I do.

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'83 SC