[Guest]

Having just changed the engine

Having just changed the engine oil to Mobil 1 Synthetic 15W-50, I am reading numerous posts on different gear lubes for 308's. There seems to be some energy around the use of Redline 75-90NS to improve 1st-2nd gear shifts. Any thoughts from the FerrariTalk community? How avout Mobil Synthetic 80-90? Does the LS differential need any additives?

 

[Guest]

Hi Mike,

Oh Boyyyyyy...this

Hi Mike,

Oh Boyyyyyy...this is like the question Jockeys or Boxers...{

}....

I've been reading about alot of guys that have switched to the Redline and report quality results with shifting issues.
Then there is the new report by Ali that AGIP has some new oils that also are supposed to improve shifting issues. The Mobil is reportedly corrosive to yellow metals so don't store your gold bullion in a vat of Mobil. As far as Mobil in Ferrari trannys, hmmm...I have never seen evidence it is harmful even though I have repeatedly asked for any type of evidence showing that "oil" was the issue and not something else.

In trannys with Lmtd. Slips I firmly believe they need the additives, especially as they get older. The diffs are working whenever the car is turning and the curve radius dictates one rear wheel will move faster/slower than the other...and under slow speed conditions this working strain can cause chattering of the diff plates without the extra sliperyness of those additives.

Others opinions may vary and are welcomed...nothing I like more than learning, to help improve techniques for long term performance and reliability.

 

[Guest]

Hi Mike,

To add a bit more

Hi Mike,

To add a bit more to JRVs most accuate assesment..

A very contoversial subject indeed....
Background: I have rebuilt three Ferrari gearboxes now...and most recently the one from my BB. They are all somewhat similar in design, specifically in the design of the shift rails. In my opinion, they all are a bit hard to get into second gear for the same reason....the shifter rail is subject to hydraulic locking in the case bore, just by the design. So...with a thinner flowing oil, when cold, it will be easier to engage second gear...

But, thinner oil is not always better and can cause other problems, that may have not been evident before the "new" oil change.

I rebuilt my 365BB gearbox last Summer...other than some brass in the bearing cages, the synchros are of steel or iron alloy. Your 308/328 gearbox is of similar construction and materials.

I used Mobil 1 in the gearbox, for a while, prior to the rebuild....Although it did shift smoother, I could "beat" the synchros, if I shifted even slightly quickly....

Currently, I'm running Royal Purple 75-90W, a GL-5 spec oil...Shifts smooth, with little to no 2nd gear nonsense. I contacted both Mobil and Royal Purple about the semi-unique charateristics of the Ferrari gearboxes. Based on their responses, I did not feel comfortable using Mobil 1 any longer. I feel that any GL-5 oil, such as Penzoil 4096...or Royal Purple is a good choice.

To clarify some popular mis-conceptions:
-If a syncro is bad...snake oil will not fix it.
-No matter what type of (correct) oil you use, frequent changes make for easier gear changes.
-Regardless of oil type, when the weather gets colder, these boxes are going to be a bit more difficult to engage gears in...
-IMO, this diff chattering issue is way overblown. I've owned four F-cars through the years...and never heard a peep from the diffs, no matter what "blend" of oil was installed.

HTH,

David

 

[Guest]

Let's hook up with the AGI

Let's hook up with the AGIP rep and order some in.

Mine hasn't been changed in a '****'s age. I'll volunteer to try some out!

Don't tell Royal Purple!

 

[Guest]

Well, thanks Dave! You're

Well, thanks Dave! You're ahead of me, because I hadn't talked with Royal Purple about the gear lube.

I like their other products, having used the 20-50W in all my cars. I've seen their products around the hospital where I work also.

 

[Guest]

Speedy,

FYI, I'm using

Speedy,

FYI, I'm using RP MaxLube 75-90W in the BB transaxle. At least it's currently "more available" than the Agip oil.

David

 

[Guest]

>>thanks Dave! You&#39

>>thanks Dave! You're ahead of me, because I hadn't talked with Royal Purple about the gear lube. <<

Hey Speedy " aka "Mr. President" ,

David is way ahead of all of us including me...{

}!

David brought up one of the most important points imo..."GL-5"...when shopping make sure you specify GL-5 or Higher Grade Oil...very important to adhere to this spec for long term gearbox life.

Also, David, another important point you bring up..the design of the shift shaft holders and the hydraulic lock formed by the close housing to shaft clearance that was first documented as far as I know by David Goldberg many years ago in his book on the V8-V12 Conversion. He has a diagram in his book on how to drill a relief hole to allow the oil to escape when cold that purportedly greatly improved 2nd cold shifting.


JRV
ps:
Speaking of talking to Royal Purple, (shameless plug coming) next time you have a chance to talk to them, mention that they're missing out on some great Marketing oppurtunities by not having their Banner add on Ferrari-Talk and by missing the boat on The Texas Running of the Bulls. {

}

 

[Guest]

Well you remember they are a p

Well you remember they are a product supporter of the Child Advocate racing for Children team, providing both lubricants and some nifty podium hats to our team last year!

I've always thought the products should be known in the F car world. We could help them out!

 

[Guest]

JRV,
I confess to not having

JRV,
I confess to not having known about the Goldberg observation...What I found very odd when inside my BB gearbox, was that the 2nd-3rd shift rail had a helically-cut groove in the end of the shaft, where it went into the case "blind-hole", hence relieving the possibility of hydraulic lock.

Same blind hole design as the RM-1st rail..yet excess pressure is relieved only on the 2nd-3rd shift rail...Sure sounds like an oversight on Ferraris part.

I speak to a fair amount of manufacturers when the "folk-lore" just get a bit much to believe, if you know what I mean. No problem to plug this Board!

Regards,
David

 

[Guest]

Installed Royal Purple MAXGEAR

Installed Royal Purple MAXGEAR 75-80 LS Gearbox fluid this weekend followed by a 100 mile drive. Shifts are a little easier when cold and a lot easier when hot but 5th gear doesn't like to be hurried now (synchros). In any event, this appears to be a good product even at $10 a quart. I guess if the ol' girl has a leak between the gearbox and motor where the shifter passes I'll now know. They don't call royal purple the tradename because it looks like regular oil!!

 

[Guest]

I recently changed the gearbox

I recently changed the gearbox oil in my 328, the wrench that did most of the major work on my 328 has used Mobil 1 for years and has seen no damage from it,he was one of Mobils first customers to use it and claims its one of the only oils that make the Ferrari trans shift well.

My car always had Mobil 1 in it until the last owner who had it just over a month took it to a shop in Fresno and they put in QUaker State gear oil with a SLick 50 additive, they claimed it helped the shifting when cold which it did only for a short while, since they went to a Dino oil from Mobil 1 I didn't want to risk potential seal leaks in the trans by going back to Mobil 1 and put in regular Vavoline gear oil


What happens to the Mobil 1 is since it is a GL5 it contains Sulpher Phosphates which get corrosive at 180' to yellow metals, I talked to Redline also about this and they also put in the same Phosphates so it can happen to their oil also or any other synthetic that has them so its not exclusive to Mobil 1.

 

[Guest]

Well, sorry to repeat myself &

Well, sorry to repeat myself (I was all over on the "gearbox oil" threads on F-chat) but I had Mobil 1 in my gear box and it worked fine for about 8 or 9 months and 8k of driving, then I started having synchro issues and grinding. Dumped out the Mobil 1, put in Redline synthetic 75w-90NS and no more cold 2nd gear issues, and no more synchros and grinding...diff works fine, no chatter.

Mike, if Royal Purple is giving you synchro issues in 5th gear, I predict it will get worse(might start doing this in other gears too)...it sounds like it is too slippery...I think you should consider using the Redline product.

 

[Guest]

400 miles later, the Royal Pur

400 miles later, the Royal Purple Maxgear 75-90 LS has(IMHO) done a great job. Synchros are all good unless 5th gear really hurried when cold. No chattering or leaks. This is the best product I have used in a 308 gearbox to date. My QV has 64K on it and has never shifted better.
Just thought the F community would like to know.

 

[Guest]

Mike,

I've agree with y

Mike,

I've agree with you 100%. I switched over from Mobil 1 to Royal Purple in my BB...Even though the gearbox is fresh (800 miles), with all new bearings and synchros, she shifts very sweet. All gears are equally difficult (relatively speaking) when the gearbox is cold. If I really, really try to "beat" the synchros...I can "feel" the fifth gear synchro balk, a bit. The diff is silent!

BTW, Jeg's has the oil for about $8.00/qt.

Appreciate your input!

Regards,
David