use of synthetic fluids brake and transaxle?

[toyvo75]

Hy again all, anybody out there use synthetic fluids in their brake system or transaxle? If so what brands and have you noticed any differences in the braking or shifting of the transaxle?

[scotty914]

quik and simple answers

the seals on our brakes dont like syn fluid, just use high quality dot3/4 brake fuild, i use ate blue

the tranny does not like syn either, but there is an on going fight on weither swepco is better than the cheap stuff. so use swepco if it makes you feel like 50 bucks a gallon is worth it.

[toyvo75]

Ok, so 1 forand 1 against. Huuuummmm????
I have a fresh O/H on this transaxle (new seals,gaskets,bearings,and syncros). I used syn. in the spider (fiat) and it realy helped the shift.
So with 1 for and 1 against I am still leaning toward the change.

[tat2dphreak]

I'll chime in with a split... I've used syn brake fluid, but have heard TERRIBLE things about long term use of synthetic gear oil in the 901... the syncros slowly stop working with the syn tranny oil...

syn brake fluid worked fine for me though...

[toyvo75]

Ok so the score is 2 for syn brake fluid and 1 against and 2 against syn. transaxle oil and 1 for. Huuummm???

[RandyLok]

Dang it... where is the link to BS filter v1.01???

[tat2dphreak]

Originally posted by 914GT
That's a new one. Got anything to substantiate this or just hearsay? I've been running over a year now with synthetic and shifts the same now as it did when I put it in. The VW guys here with sand rails have been running synthetic in their boxes for years now with no problems. I think I'll have to add this one to the many other urban myths that are out there.

do a search here and 914club, more than one of the 'opinions' came from mechanics that work on these cars for a living... don't take my word for it...

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

When you say synthetic brake fluid, do you mean silicone? If so, stay far far away.

I personally prefer Swepco for my 914 transaxle. It was specifically recommended to me by a pro mechanic. He built the gearbox in my car now, so I decided to go with his recommendation. I have also heard the stories that newer synthetic gear oils don't let the synchros work properly (they supposedly lubricate too well!) but I don't have direct experience. I do know that I got chewed up one side and down the other for using Redline in my old transmission, and that it was a real mess when we finally tore it down.

--DD

[tat2dphreak]

not silicone (for me anyway) valvoline makes a synthetic dot 3/4, not silicone though... I think that is for dot 5... right?

[toyvo75]

Wow 914GT great artical. Dave good input I was leaning toward Swepco.
tat2dphreak I already broke down and used the valvoline brake fluid. Thanks all.
Now if a popular porsche parts house (name to remain unspoken but has the initials PP)and ups will just deliver my vacuum and fuel hoses I am set.

[norustscott]

My driveway seems to llike the synthetic 90w...

[Joe Ricard]

I changed to synthetic oil in my 78 928. shifted good before but after I drove it about 50 miles the tranny would pop out of several gears. Yea probably going to go anyway but the slick stuff sure hurried the process.
2800 dollars later I stuck with the dyno oil never had another problem.

[mossback915]

so is there a consensus here?
I just bought 3 qts. of Amsoil 75-90W "Extreme Gear", but I can always save it for the truck if dino is better.

Please let me know, before I screw this thing up...

thanks,

Scott

[tat2dphreak]

asking for consensus? I've yet to see that happen.... try a search here and 914club, read 100 more opinions and decide for yourself...

I won't use synthetic tranny oil, Joe is one of the opinions I trust, and even swepco is cheaper...

[toyvo75]

Well parts are here. Thank you PP. It is time to make a choice I am realy leaning toward the swepco, I know someone that sells amsoil and he (of course ) is pretty high on his stuff. I have talked to some of the guys at the shop. I work for a Chrysler, Mitsubishi, Dodge, Chevrolet, Gmc, Jeep, Cadillac, Pontiac, Buick, Hyundia, dealer in East Texas. (3 stores) They all like the swepco in thier race cars and mud hogs. Almost everyone I talk to says yes with a fresh tranie, and no if not !!! Food for thought !!!!!

[tat2dphreak]

what part of east TX?

[toyvo75]

nacogdoches

[tat2dphreak]

cool! My wife and I took a mini-vacation out there last year, and scootched over to Shreveport for part of it!! lots of fun!

[toyvo75]

I go to shreveport all the time--- too much my wife says.

[tat2dphreak]

what else are you going to do?!