2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Gear oil question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 08:18 AM
  #1  
derek1987's Avatar
Thread Starter
RX7 FOR LIFE! **D
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Clemson University
Gear oil question

What type of gear oil do you use in your trans and rearend. The owners manual says 90W for rearend(GXL) and 80w-90(or something like that) for the trans. Do I use what the manual says.

thank you
derek
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 08:24 AM
  #2  
nopistons's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 691
Likes: 0
From: new jersey
I'm using Red Line's 75-90 synthetic in the trans. Some guys like Red Line's MTL (Manual Trans Lube) instead. I don't know if there's much difference between the two. It made shifting on cold days much easier, and 2nd gear doesn't crunch anymore. Expensive, at $9/quart, but worth it, IMO. I still have regular gear oil in the rear.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 08:25 AM
  #3  
Rxmfn7's Avatar
Do a barrel roll!
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 7,529
Likes: 2
From: Lower Burrell, PA
Yes, use what the manual says. You might want to go to a synthetic, such as redline, NEO, etc.... Synthetic oils are considerably more expensive than regular oil though, but can be worth it if you are experiencing any minor wear issues.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 09:31 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Racing Bear's Tepee
Royal Purple Max-Gear in the tranny and diff for my '87/GXL. It's 75W90, but works for our cars.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 09:53 AM
  #5  
Sir Rupert Hobo's Avatar
seven-less
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 0
From: city of houston.... y0!
i was gonna use that purple stuff, but it's hella expensive and i decided to just abuse the **** outa my tranny and rebuild it early next year...
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 09:58 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Racing Bear's Tepee
Originally posted by Sir Rupert Hobo
i was gonna use that purple stuff, but it's hella expensive and i decided to just abuse the **** outa my tranny and rebuild it early next year...
Well, "Go-For-It" if you have that kind of money to waste Preventative maintenance is my preference, plus being a woman, I don't know jack about rebuilding, LOL.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 10:33 AM
  #7  
wozzoom's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 903
Likes: 1
From: Conyngham, PA
80W90/85W90 is a little thick for the tranny. You need 75W90 for the tranny. If you go with Redline, the product you want is MT-90. Anybody elses product, use there 75W90 weight.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 10:43 AM
  #8  
Icemark's Avatar
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 25,896
Likes: 24
From: Rohnert Park CA
I have been using Redlines Super Lightweight Shock proof in all my cars and trucks rear ends and have been very very happy with it.

The super light SP is the equivelent of 75W90.

As far as the tranny, I normally use Redline MT-90, but if I find a tranny that is in bad shape, I'd recommend the super lightweight SP for that as well.

Last edited by Icemark; Nov 4, 2003 at 10:46 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 10:47 AM
  #9  
Icemark's Avatar
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 25,896
Likes: 24
From: Rohnert Park CA
Originally posted by wozzoom
80W90/85W90 is a little thick for the tranny. You need 75W90 for the tranny. If you go with Redline, the product you want is MT-90. Anybody elses product, use there 75W90 weight.
Actually Mazda does suggest straight 90W in all temps above 0F, and 85W90 if temps are below 0F
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 11:24 AM
  #10  
KNONFS's Avatar
B O R I C U A
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,482
Likes: 36
From: VA
Originally posted by Icemark
I have been using Redlines Super Lightweight Shock proof in all my cars and trucks rear ends and have been very very happy with it.

The super light SP is the equivelent of 75W90.

As far as the tranny, I normally use Redline MT-90, but if I find a tranny that is in bad shape, I'd recommend the super lightweight SP for that as well.
Redlines Super Lightweight Shock proof believer +/-, using it on the tranny as we speak
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 01:41 PM
  #11  
Rxmfn7's Avatar
Do a barrel roll!
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 7,529
Likes: 2
From: Lower Burrell, PA
Originally posted by RunningDeer
Royal Purple Max-Gear in the tranny and diff for my '87/GXL. It's 75W90, but works for our cars.
I would advise against royal purple.. I remember reading an artice about where it was tested, and proven to deteriorate brass.. Guess what your synchros are made out of?
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 06:40 PM
  #12  
Icemark's Avatar
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 25,896
Likes: 24
From: Rohnert Park CA
yeah, but almost all gear oil will start to eat brass at temps above 200F (although redline claims theirs does not).
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2003 | 07:49 AM
  #13  
wozzoom's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 903
Likes: 1
From: Conyngham, PA
Originally posted by Icemark
Actually Mazda does suggest straight 90W in all temps above 0F, and 85W90 if temps are below 0F
I know Mazda recommends strait 90W for summer temps, but that recommendation makes for a very slow shifting tranny. Agree?
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2003 | 10:18 AM
  #14  
Icemark's Avatar
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 25,896
Likes: 24
From: Rohnert Park CA
Originally posted by wozzoom
I know Mazda recommends strait 90W for summer temps, but that recommendation makes for a very slow shifting tranny. Agree?
I couldn't say. I only use synthetic Redline (like the MT-90 or SLSP both of which are really a 90W or 85W90 depending on your point of veiw) in the gear boxes and find shifting much better than average.

But I can say that, I would not ever be using a 75W90 or 75W140 in a RX-7 gear box, be it synthetic or conventional. There would not be enough shear strength to prevent gear wear. While shifting might be improved, power handling and longevity would be radically decreased IMO.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2003 | 11:13 AM
  #15  
RXTASY1's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 898
Likes: 0
From: Right Here!
My question is....why does it stink so bad?
Man! That stuff is rank! You can actually taste it! Yuk!
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2003 | 12:17 PM
  #16  
wozzoom's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 903
Likes: 1
From: Conyngham, PA
Originally posted by Icemark
I couldn't say. I only use synthetic Redline (like the MT-90 or SLSP both of which are really a 90W or 85W90 depending on your point of veiw) in the gear boxes and find shifting much better than average.

But I can say that, I would not ever be using a 75W90 or 75W140 in a RX-7 gear box, be it synthetic or conventional. There would not be enough shear strength to prevent gear wear. While shifting might be improved, power handling and longevity would be radically decreased IMO.
Interesting opinion. But isn't the Redline Super-Lightweight Shock Proof rated as a 70W90 equivalent? I would think the Lightweight product (75W140) or MT-90 (75W90) would be a better match for our requirements.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FD7KiD
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
15
Feb 26, 2021 10:12 PM
CaptainKRM
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
14
Aug 26, 2015 09:52 PM
Cameron38
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
3
Aug 19, 2015 06:08 PM
FD7KiD
Single Turbo RX-7's
1
Aug 17, 2015 11:50 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:02 PM.