Transaxle fluid? New Tires?

[walt89]

I am going to do so work to my trans and i want to put the best fluid in it I can, What fluid should i put in it. I am also going to buy new tires and i was wondering if anyone has had any good luck with any brands?
Thanks

[944 Ecology]

I like Mobil 1 oil and Michelin tires.

[running_cold924]

got a set of yokohama avid v4s on mine, i love them to death, a 60K tire with AA traction and A temp grading. its a steal at $92 a tire, size 225/50/16. i used redlike 75w-90NS in mine, but thinkin of going to a bradd-penn oil

[many944s]

Big question is: Is it an open diff or LSD?
If it is an open diff, go with Ecology's Mobil 1 suggestion.
If, on the other hand it is an LSD differential, I would use Swepco 201.

Just my .02 worth.
-Nick

[krystar]

what are thoughts on using GM synchromesh? my acura loves that instead of the oem tranny fluid

[choinga]

I have a pretty noisy transaxle and have had the best luck with Amsoil's Severe Gear. I've tried them all...Redline, Purple, Lucas, Swepco...You have to order it - none of the parts stores carry it...but it works great and has all the neccesary stuff for your LSD. IMHO, the Amsoil stuff whether it be engine oil or gear lube is some of the best stuff you can put in your car. I'm currently using Brad Penn for the engine oil in my 951 by recommendation. I was going to try that and switch to Amsoil if I didn't like it - but their 20w-50 stuff is killer and includes all the ZDDP additives these old engines require.

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/svg.aspx

They even have a nice hand pump that connects up nice to their bottle so that you don't have to make some contraption to get the oil into the tranny:
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/g2039.aspx

Tires - completely subjective. Personally, I use Toyo RA1's. Great high performance tire that won't break the bank.

[jcommin]

I use Mobil 1 and run a set of Bridgestones. My 2 cents.

[ernie9944]

I,ve use Castrol SYNTEC sae 75w-90 in my 83-944 for the last four years now, after driving three or four hundred miles I started feeling a difference in the shifting specialy in cold weather , as far as tires the car came with perelli 700 zr and a sport suspension,nice tire huge the road like glue but forget the comfort, after lowering the car I've switch to kumho712 good traction but forget the tread wear, I'm shod now with falken fk 452 hopfuly those will have a combination of good handling , tread wear and comfort , walt 89 good luck with your choices *******

[83Zel944]

Anyone use Red Line MTL?

[mikepellegrini]

I've got Redline MTL in my 83 NA and it really helped with shifting - it was really hard from 1st to 2nd before I changed to Redline.

I switched to that based on the recommendations at Clark's. http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/trans-06.htm

[John_AZ]

It might help if you read his first post:
No 3rd gear?

He may have bigger issues...

John_AZ

[Dantilla]

My tranny gets Swepco 201, and the best tires I've had on the 944 (outside of Hoosiers) are Michelin Pilot Sports- The PS2s. Unfortunately for most 944s, they do not make them in anything less than 17" sizes.

[walt89]

Yes I know i have bigger issues but i am talking when i take the trans apart and figure out what is wrong with it replace needed parts what fluid should i use. So that is why i am asking. Also does anyone know of anywhere to get gears for cheaper than Porsche they want $193 for third gear.
Thanks

[John_AZ]

walt89,

You have confused me even more. By saying you will be taking the transaxle apart, is suggesting you have the technical experience and expensive tools required to do the job that normally is one of the tasks that no one without your skill even begins.
The usual answer is to get a solid used.

The correct trans fluid could depend on your location and condition of your transaxle.

IMO- Ansoil is one of the best and Royal Purple-Pep Boys $15 qt.
www.Clarks-Garage.com recommends Redline MTL, Swepco or Mobile 1.
http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/trans-06.htm

If you live in a cold northern state you would be better to use a Redline-MTL because it is thinner-70/80 and your shifts will be smoother in cold weather.
If you live in a consistantly hot area year round-AZ, Mobile 1 is thin and noisy.

Redline MT-90 75/90 is another usually suggested for an all weather oil and for a car with a few miles. Post 17 comes direct from the Redline Company:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-924-944-968-technical-forum/403701-tranaxle-oil.html#post3905981
Here is the tech sheet on Redline trans fluids:
http://www.redlineoil.com/pdf/6.pdf

Many opinions.

GL & welcome
John_AZ
1988 924S 59K + 1987 924S 112.9K DD
1979 924 + 1977.5 924 + 1970 914 1.7 + MG Midget +++===gone, past tutors

[walt89]

Thanks for the info John_AZ and sorry if i have confused you i am just worried about getting a used trans beacuse the local junk yard they will sell me a transaxle for $250 and you never know what you are getting from a junkyard. and the parts to rebuild the trans would only be a little bit more so i dont know what i am going to do but if you say that they have very little problems then maybe i will go the used route.
also i live in north illinois so i am hot in the summer and very cold in the winter so what would you suggest for the fluid.
i have only had my car for about 6 months so i am not too filimar to the 944s so thanks for all the help.
Walt89

[John_AZ]

Hi Walt89,

Check a few of our members like www.944ecology.com for price or post a part wanted in parts wanted and ask for a near-by transaxle. Shipping is $100 or so:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/miscellaneous-used-parts-sale-wanted/.

I am lucky to have a couple yards in the county as well as 20th Street:
http://www.20thstreetauto.com/

You are correct about a local yard and the quality of quarantee. It does save on shipping and if you have a good floor jack with a transmission accessory it is simple and you get to grease the CV at the same time-triple square or cheesehead hex required for CV bolts.

Be very careful when you remove the torque tube coupler-have an expensive hex-10mm I think and the bolts have to be removed to slide back. The other tip is to be careful of the bolt with the security wire on the linkage. Do not over torque or you have to drill it out and 8 hours later ......well you have the idea.

GL
John_AZ

[rickharrison]

Don't buy syncros from Porsche directly...they will bankrupt you...check Pelican or 944online...each gear syncro is @ $35.

[John_AZ]

Originally Posted by walt89

i dont know what i am going to do but if you say that they have very little problems then maybe i will go the used route.
also i live in north illinois so i am hot in the summer and very cold in the winter so what would you suggest for the fluid.
i have only had my car for about 6 months so i am not too filimar to the 944s so thanks for all the help.
Walt89

Walt89,
Your 1983 944 with 87K and living in the upper midwest--I would try the Redline-MTL or Mobil 1-both mentioned often. Mobil 1 is easy to get almost everywhere. I get Redline MT-90 from the off road Jeep shops locally for $13/QT. About 3 QT.

You have to be aware of the seller---always buyer beware. Yards may give a short warranty. Private sellers doubtful. Pelican/Rennlist members, especially with a few years member history will be more upfront. Many cars are parted for engine-head, cly wall or rod issues or the clutch. Look for a $750 or less parts car for future use.

I thought the ____89 meant 1989 until I read your post.

John_AZ

[walt89]

Thanks John_AZ again for the info on taking out the trans luckilly i have a lift to put the car on and all the automotive tools one would ever need but i have yet another qustion about the fluid. i know a guy who races in COOR off road racing and he uses mystic brand gear lube he has tried all of the other synthics and they all break down but this one dosent have you ever heard of it. it is red in color too.
thanks again
walt89

[John_AZ]

OK,
Citgo produces the Mystic gear lube. Your friend may be sponsored by Citgo-does he have a badge on his race car? That aside,

Porsche built our transaxles in the '80s with the technology of API/GL4 gear lube. The metals, syncros and internal gears function best with GL4.
Citco Mystic does not have a specific GL4. They have a GL5 and a few others:
http://www.citgo.com/ConsumerProducts.jsp

http://www.citgo.com/Products/LubesOils/Mystik/MystikGearOils.jsp

While I am certain Mystic is a very good product, GL5 gear lube properties are not the same as GL4.
GL5 did not replace GL4.

I will continue to use a product designed for GL4 transaxels. Redline MT-90

I really need to go back to school and review chemistry. OH, and you have a shop full of tools and a lift! I need your help

GL
John_AZ