Amsoil vs. Redline for G50 trans

[Jonny042]

Hello all,

I am planning to change the oil in my G50 trans to either Amsoil SVG 75W90 or Redline 75W90 NS GL-5 gear oil.

Any experience with either one? My main criteria is cold shifting and (hopefully) quieten some of the growling and whining that seems to be coming from the drivetrain..... yeah I know good luck with that, huh?

[grizzfan]

If you haven't discovered the "Ultimate Oil Thread" yet, search for it. Seems that many opt for Swepco 201 (85/90 I think) but the high end ones you mention are probably OK too. The thread I mentioned doesn't talk much at all about tranny lube, but is a great resource.

[AlfonsoR]

Try this link:
Swepco Transmission Fluid Question

Or search for Swepco Transmission Fluid.

The two main camps are Swepco and Kendall, with Redline being a third camp, but with smaller following. I'm not saying that Redline is 3 best, I am saying it looks like it's 3 most popular. There is a agreement, however, that the G50 should use synthetic, so keep that in mind.

[Deadeye]

G-50's love Mobil Delvac

[Peter Zimmermann]

Jonny, the Swepco thread is largely dedicated to Dino gear oil, used in 915 and earlier model transmissions, but your G 50 requires (well, it'll work better with it) a synthetic gear oil. My personal preference is Kendall Super Three Star 75w/90 synthetic oil, but I'm sure that the two oils that you mentioned will work acceptably well.

About your noises, how many miles are on the car, what year model is the car, and how many miles are on the clutch? Lot's of drive train noise solutions available, but first we need to know if you have a spring hub (not original) or rubber hub (original or original replacement) clutch disc.

[cloud89]

Been wanting to know myself.
Wayne mentions in 101 at bottom-right of p. 105...
"for the G50 transmission, I recommend using a synthetic blend".

Just wonder which one.

[Por_sha911]

You really need synthetic in your G50. You also should know if you have an LSD or not as that will affect what lube you use. When I got my car I didn't know how old the gear lube was so I put Redline in my G50 with a factory LSD to baseline the maintenance. It showed no difference from whatever was in there. It is notchy when cold. I'm thinking about trying Delvac (hard to find) or Valvoline Synthetic.

[Peter Zimmermann]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

It showed no difference from whatever was in there. It is notchy when cold. I'm thinking about trying Delvac (hard to find) or Valvoline Synthetic.

I can offer that I know G 50 owners who have switched to Kendall Super Three Star 75w/90, and the cold problem either, (1) improved, or (2) disappeared entirely. In most cases this suggestion was met with skepticism, but the conversion to believer was fun to watch! I don't know if Kendall will help your issue, but it sure is worth considering.

[Por_sha911]

Does the Kendell have the proper additives for LSD?

[Jonny042]

Originally Posted by Peter Zimmermann

About your noises, how many miles are on the car, what year model is the car, and how many miles are on the clutch? Lot's of drive train noise solutions available, but first we need to know if you have a spring hub (not original) or rubber hub (original or original replacement) clutch disc.

Hi Peter, thanks for the reply.

The noise is just a bit of road-speed dependant gear whine from the final drive, I think. Changes a bit under load/decel. Doesn't sound expensive, I just thought I might see some improvement with a "better" oil. I am pretty sure the PO had Swepco put in based on receipts so that is probably the wrong oil.

The clutch has been replaced but not sure with what, I know it cost $550.00 for the disc and pressure plate 7 or 8 years ago? Would that be a clue?

I am in a remote location so finding Delvac or Kendal might be a little tough, and I need to order engine oil too and I am leaning towards getting Amsoil. But I certainly don't want to start a conversation about oil around here....

[andyt11]

I just put Amsoil Severe Gear in my G50. To be honest its kind of similar to before, a little notchy when cold but fine once warmed.

Definitely want a synthetic such as this or delvac in a G50.

[Mighty2.0]

I used Amsoil synthetic gear oil in the transmission of my 2001 Audi TT Quattro. Shifting was worse, especially when cold, than it was before I changed the oil. I'll never use Amsoil again.

I have since used Redline MTL in my Audi, and the car shifts great. For the G-50 application, I would use either the Redline, or Delvac.

[Mr9146]

Personally I can't stand the G-50 trans because of how it feels at the stick. I tried all kinds of different oils before I finally settled on Redline.

The Redline oil took a lot of the "clunkiness" out of the way the trans shifted and I've been EXTREMELY happy with the results.

From now on I won't be using anything else in G-50s.

[andyu911]

Redline works well in mine. Hot or cold. Haven't tried any other brand. Don't have to.

[Jonny042]

Originally Posted by Mr9146

Personally I can't stand the G-50 trans because of how it feels at the stick. I tried all kinds of different oils before I finally settled on Redline.

The Redline oil took a lot of the "clunkiness" out of the way the trans shifted and I've been EXTREMELY happy with the results.

From now on I won't be using anything else in G-50s.

Sounds like what I need - which redline product exactly?

[Mr9146]

Originally Posted by Jonny042

Sounds like what I need - which redline product exactly?

Redline 75W90NS.

Cut and pasted from another online retailer's website: 75W90NS GL-5 This GL-5-type geal oil doesn't contain the friction modifiers for limited-slip hypoid differentials. This makes the transmission synchronizers come to equal speeds more quickly, allowing faster shifting and much easier low-temperature shifting. Can also be used in racing limited-slip differentials where weak spring design causes too much wheel spin.

[Jonny042]

Originally Posted by andyu911

Redline works well in mine. Hot or cold. Haven't tried any other brand. Don't have to.

Same fluid as above? 75W90 NS??

[Peter Zimmermann]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Does the Kendell have the proper additives for LSD?

No, even with synthetic you will need to add the appropriate amount of LSD additive (friction modifier).

Originally Posted by Jonny042

Same fluid as above? 75W90 NS??

Porsche recommends 75w/90 GL-5 oil. BTW, what year is your car? How many miles on it?

[hcoles]

I had Delvac in and over time the cold shifting seemed to get worse.
Now back to 3 parts Redline and 1 part Redline Heavy Duty shock oil.
I don't have an LSD.
I think all G50's are not the same.. it also seems like after the oil change the cold shifting is better with the oils I've used.

[Jonny042]

Thanks everyone, for your replies and advice.

I ended up using the Redline (bought from our host!) and I am quite pleased. Shift action is much better when cold, and actually better when hot, too.

Not sure what was in there, but it was brown and smelled awful.