I'm in the middle of my 3800 L67 swap and it's now time to put lube in the Tranny. Izy 5 speed so what do you guys recommend? I've seen GM syncromesh and 5w 30 motor oil???

Thanks,

Tom

Early trannies came with motor oil, but GM switched all later production to Synchromesh and issued a TSB to refill with Synchromesh whenever a tranny came in for service.

JazzMan

what were the years that recieved the syncromesh? my 87 was built in 86, sold as a 87. im not sure of the ecaxt month it was built

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1987 Fiero GT built by my brother, merlot566jka, 3500 LX9 from 06 Malibu, WOT-TECH.com 1280 grind stage 3 cam, LS6 valve springs, 1227730 ECM conversion, Darrel Morse solid aluminum cradle mounts, Truleo headers modified to fit the 3500, 36# inectors, 70mm 4.3 throttle body adapted to 3500 intake, ported heads, upper and lower intakes, lightly polished, tcemotorsports.com crank trigger wheel, CenterForce dual friction clutch, Flowtech Afterburner muffler, 2.5" piping, cat deleted, EGR deleted, SinisterPerformance tuning, C6 Corvette exhaust tips. projected to be 35 MPG with a guesstimate of 250 hp to the wheels

All years and types of Fiero manual trans should use Synchromesh fluid. available from any GM dealer.

Russ

I would have said Lucas oil....

What is the syncromesh product? Is that a certain brand that GM uses for some reason? Why don't they use it now in the newer cars? Is it a synthetic?

Penzoil makes an equivalent. Yellow bottle at Advance Auto

quote Originally posted by arte444: Penzoil makes an equivalent. Yellow bottle at Advance Auto

This is what I have always used and its cheaper than the dealership.

I used the Penzoil stuff also, it's at Napa also You will need almost two whole quarts.

I use the GM syncro and after a year an a half in it , it's still clear as when i put it in .

quote Originally posted by unboundmo: I would have said Lucas oil.... What is the syncromesh product? Is that a certain brand that GM uses for some reason? Why don't they use it now in the newer cars? Is it a synthetic?

I tried 5w30, then synthetic, and then synchromesh. The synchro product is definitely smoother and quieter. It is a formulated product for exactly manual transmissions and not an engine. The formula I don't know, but the effect I do know. Hope this helps

Arn

I use Mobil 1 5W30 synthetic (same as in crankcase). 11 years with no gearbox problems.

I'm not saying to use this in a Fiero, but I have just installed a new clutch in my 1990 GMC S15 pick up.2.8 5spd. It called for Dexron to refill after the install. I couldnt beleive it was correct. I thought what I had drained out of there was some kind of Royal Purple or something like that. It waa redish and smelled like Dexron. I guess cause it was.
Joe Crawford

synchromesh is what we always put in trannys when they came in the shop Well all gm and manual trans that is.

Auto Zone carrys synchromesh to about $9 a bottle

Royal Purple makes a mix called synchromax its just like the synchromesh stuff not a prob with any of this stuff.

Factory is a good idea on some things don't have to mess with everything.

One reason it calls for synchromesh and not motor oil is that when its cooled out the shifer doesn't get hard to move its (FREE) all the time. Now with motor oil and really cold temps is it does what my cavalier does and it has to be warmed up enought that the tranny oil is warm, or you have to drive it and get the gears turning. Before it will shift smoothly

Just my opinon.

If you only took two, then you didn't have it all out (which can happen in a drain and refill). If the transmission is EMPTY, as in new or just rebuilt, it will take all but a few ounces of 3 quarts in the Isuzu. Other transmissions will have different fill capacities. Oh, and I also use the Pennzoil Synchromesh. It really does make a difference in how the car shifts.

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by josef644: I used the Penzoil stuff also, it's at Napa also You will need almost two whole quarts.

Ok, do you know what weight the syncromesh gear oil is? Thanks for the inputs...

quote Originally posted by jstricker: If you only took two, then you didn't have it all out (which can happen in a drain and refill). If the transmission is EMPTY, as in new or just rebuilt, it will take all but a few ounces of 3 quarts in the Isuzu. Other transmissions will have different fill capacities. Oh, and I also use the Pennzoil Synchromesh. It really does make a difference in how the car shifts. John Stricker

Come to think about it, I think it was just short of three. Old age creeping up on me. Mine was empty as I had replaced engine,clutch and all axel shaft seals. It is an Izuzu 5 spd.
Joe

quote Originally posted by oldfiero: Ok, do you know what weight the syncromesh gear oil is? Thanks for the inputs...

I don't know the viscosity rating but it is not the same as engine oil. It is thinner at the start and stays thin when cold or warm. It doesn't seem to go thinner or thicker no matter what the temp.

Hope this helps.

Arn

Arn,

Yep it does, off to the AZ this afternoon for some Syncromesh.....

Thanks,

Good luck, I cannot find Synchromesh anywhere around here. Not Autozone, not Napa, not advance, not even the dealer. It seems the new tranny's use something else and they don't stock the old stuff anymore.

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1988 Fiero GT
Custom Corvette / MR2 electro-hydraulic power steering
17" rims covering up 11.25" rotors with Cadillac Calipers & drop spindles
Cleveland Fiero Club

quote Originally posted by TG oreiF 8891: It seems the new tranny's use something else and they don't stock the old stuff anymore.

I find that hard to believe... walk in any GM dealership and ask for 12345349

Or just buy it online

http://www.gmpartsdirect.co...&partnumber=12345349

[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 08-18-2008).]

quote Originally posted by oldfiero: Ok, do you know what weight the syncromesh gear oil is? Thanks for the inputs...

According to the penzoil one I've been using. It is a 5w30. Just has the extra additives to help with consistancy and has some extra detergents.

[This message has been edited by Fieroseverywhere (edited 08-18-2008).]

quote Originally posted by TG oreiF 8891: Good luck, I cannot find Synchromesh anywhere around here. Not Autozone........

That's odd, Autozone even lists it on their web page:

http://www.autozone.com/R,1...artProductDetail.htm

Pennzoil / 1 qt. Synchromesh Manual Transmission Fluid

About this product:
Part Number: 3501
Weight: 2.0 lbs.
Pricing: $6.49
Availability:
Store: Normally stocked at your local store.
Online: Not Available

If they don't have it in stock ask them to order it for you. When I need a part I usually print a copy of the web page and take it with me.

Mike

I have had good luck with Redline MTL. John

quote Originally posted by jscott1: I find that hard to believe... walk in any GM dealership and ask for 12345349 Or just buy it online http://www.gmpartsdirect.co...&partnumber=12345349

About a year ago, my local dealer had my other car in for warrantee work. They asked if I needed a loaner. I said, "no, if you'll help me get some tranny fluid, because I have a leak and I need some synchromesh." The boss was very happy to help (saves the price of a loaner). He went into the shop for a long time. A while later, he came out with a 1 qt. container about half full of GM 12345349 synchromesh tranny fluid. He said, "you can have this one, we don't use it anymore anyway." I went there again before driving to Detroit for the 25th show and they did not have any to sell me at my local Pontiac dealership (same place).

I admit, however, that one of the two dealerships we stopped at in Detroit (at the 25th Anniversary) did have it in stock, but at the price they wanted, and not being able to get it locally, I decided to just use a synthetic 5W30, or maybe even regular if my leak gets much worse.

The last Autozone I was in said I needed special GLS fluid and they don't have that and won't get it for me. <-That wasn't my normal autozone, so they don't know me and were not willing to be very helpful (I will not be back at that store) there are too many other options to treat potential customers that way. But I digress...

I see now, that I can get it if I needed to, but with my leak, and because I have to order it, I'll just use something else. If I get to my regular autozone this weekend, maybe I'll ask for it just to see. Is it okay to mix 5W30 and the synchromesh?

Pennzoil Synchromesh is good, I put it in my Eclipse after a flush and fill (originally had ATF in it...go figure)... First thing I noticed was how smooth the shifting was. And for a bit it also took car of my 2nd gear grind (typical with the early 90's cars).

I have also heard that Redline MTL is excellent, as well as BG Synchromax (?)... Royal Purple is supposedly decent, but requires more upkeep than any of the previous products mentioned.

If I had to choose over again on which one to use, I would probably go with BG or Redline...

I'm using the Redline.

I use Amsoil 5W30 Synthetic for Manual Transmissions. I was pleasantly surprised at how the shifting smoothness improved especially when cold.

I got 3 US quarts delivered to my home for $30 Canadian. you can order online:-

(If you read the specs on the following site you will see it is compatible with GM Part Number 12345349)


http://www.syntheticwarehou..._Synchromesh_MTF.htm

[This message has been edited by Tinkrr (edited 08-23-2008).]

i am using Royal Purple syncromax http://royalpurple.com/manu...nsmission-fluid.html i have been told its the same as GM syncromesh i have used ATF in it but that was for a short time. it sat for a few years without any fluid in it and i pressure washed it and thought i had a little watter in it. i just ran ATF for no more that 50 miles and i dont remember but i dont think i noticed a difference. i recommend Royal Purple Syncromax.

quote Originally posted by jscott1: I find that hard to believe... walk in any GM dealership and ask for 12345349 Or just buy it online http://www.gmpartsdirect.co...&partnumber=12345349

This is still the best stuff. I keep a couple cases around at any given time.

quote Originally posted by jstricker: Oh, and I also use the Pennzoil Synchromesh. It really does make a difference in how the car shifts. John Stricker

quote Originally posted by Xerces_Blackthorne: Pennzoil Synchromesh is good, ... I First thing I noticed was how smooth the shifting was.

quote Originally posted by Tinkrr: I use Amsoil 5W30 Synthetic for Manual Transmissions. I was pleasantly surprised at how the shifting smoothness improved especially when cold.

You guys mean this stuff is better than GM synchromesh or better than motor oil ?

[This message has been edited by PaulJK (edited 10-06-2008).]

quote Originally posted by josef644: I'm not saying to use this in a Fiero, but I have just installed a new clutch in my 1990 GMC S15 pick up.2.8 5spd. It called for Dexron to refill after the install. I couldnt beleive it was correct. I thought what I had drained out of there was some kind of Royal Purple or something like that. It waa redish and smelled like Dexron. I guess cause it was. Joe Crawford

dextron is what i was told to use (gm part #) put of my factory repair manual

It's old tech, I know, but I once read that Indy cars all used to add STP to the gearbox. I had a motorcycle with a rear drive notorious for failure. I ran a black graphite lube with a touch of STP in it. The bike is a1984 and it's still in one piece down there.

quote Originally posted by Tinkrr: I use Amsoil 5W30 Synthetic for Manual Transmissions. I was pleasantly surprised at how the shifting smoothness improved especially when cold. I got 3 US quarts delivered to my home for $30 Canadian. you can order online:- (If you read the specs on the following site you will see it is compatible with GM Part Number 12345349) http://www.syntheticwarehou..._Synchromesh_MTF.htm

I'm running this also. I got mine from amsoil.com. It shifts smoothly.

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