My tranny fluid was old. I tried regular oil, and it was pretty sticky shifting. I then went looking for Synchromesh at the auto supply stores but no luck. (I didn't realize it was an ACDelco product - daaahh). I tried synthetic, which was better but still not quite right.
I finally got clued in by PBJ who told me it is a GM parts product. So, I put it in the crankcase and instantly I had a different transmission. So, thanks to everybody who have been recommending Synchromesh, and a special thanks to PBJ who is as always a really good guy to have around.
Right on Pyrthian, but, funnily enough we used to use automatic tranny fluid in Datsun standard trannies in the 70's. It didn't harm them and sho' nuff made them shift real good.
Interesting about Partsource, Dave. They didn't have it in London.
Arn
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12:24 PM
Mister Member
Posts: 1975 From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Registered: Aug 2004
Originally posted by Arns85GT: I put it in the crankcase and instantly I had a different transmission. So, thanks to everybody who have been recommending Synchromesh.
That's great Arn, I had synthetic oil in my 332 and it was shifting fine then I put in Synchromesh and did not feel a significant difference...
[This message has been edited by Mister (edited 06-06-2006).]
syncromesh is the difference between night and day as compared to using 5 w 30 ..My car has less rolling resistance + it shifts much easier using the mesh
oooooooooohh.... What is the best stuff for an auto though?
Josh
Autos are a different ballgame altogether, shift quality is engineered into the clutch and band systems as well as the fluid control manifold. Use straight Dexron as recommended by GM, anything else is likely to produce unpredictable results up to and including catastrophic transmission failure.
JazzMan
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06:07 PM
ly41181 Member
Posts: 1013 From: The Vill of Hodgens, ky Registered: Sep 2002
Autos are a different ballgame altogether, shift quality is engineered into the clutch and band systems as well as the fluid control manifold. Use straight Dexron as recommended by GM, anything else is likely to produce unpredictable results up to and including catastrophic transmission failure.
JazzMan
I was just wondering if there was anything better than the Dexron. All I hear is how Synchromesh is the bomb, but didn't know it was just for the manual trans. Thanks for helping me not destroy my trans
Josh
------------------ "I reject your reality, and substitute my own." Adam Savage
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10:05 PM
GTFiero1 Member
Posts: 6508 From: Camden County NJ Registered: Sep 2001
" So, I put it in the crankcase and instantly I had a different transmission. . . "
No wonder it felt sluggish and sticky. You have a Crankshaft in your Manual Trans? That's tough to do....
Just kidding. I'm doing a manual swap now and was looking for what eveyone's experience was with syncromesh vs other. Did you flush everything or di dyou just drain and fill??
[This message has been edited by 3084me (edited 06-06-2006).]
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10:34 PM
Jun 7th, 2006
Intel Member
Posts: 752 From: Helsingborg, Sweden Registered: May 2002
I went to my local GM/Saab dealer to get a new oil pressure sender when I noticed some black bottles on a shelf. Synchromesh #12345349 1 quart $10. Sychromesh is hard to find over here but this time I got lucky. Bought 6 bottles just in case. The last time I bought synchromesh it was $28. Got home and let the gearbox drain over night and refilled. Smoooooth!
Edit: Spelling
[This message has been edited by Intel (edited 06-07-2006).]
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04:29 AM
PBJ Member
Posts: 4167 From: London, On., Canada Registered: Jan 2001
i didnt notice one bit of difference when switching to syncomesh in either of my fieros. I think its all in your guys heads
Well before I switched to it, when I was cruising at a steady rate in gear and let off the gas the car would slow down pretty fast. My car was really hard to push in the driveway when I needed to move it+ it was really notchy shifting. I was really embarrassed when a fellow Fiero enthusiast came all the way down from Canada to buy some parts and I gave him a ride and it wouldnt shift fast when from first to second when I really got on it. Once I switched it started shifting really smooth and when I let off the gas while cruising in gear it would very gradually slow down and the car was alot easier to push as well
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01:19 PM
NeverEverSatisfied Member
Posts: 48 From: Northern Indiana Registered: May 2006
This is where you separate the good drivers from the bad. No matter what fluid you use, as long as there is some in it, it will not stop your shifting abilities while shifting through gears it will only make them slower. Now if you had a 93-02 Z28 with out having the skip shift eliminator then I think everyone would agree sometimes that thing is a PITA when shifting hard... thank God I don't have that **** in any of my 3 Z's or both my Vettes.
------------------ Everything Fades With Time. 86' Fiero Base Model = Soon V8 Drag Car 87' Fiero SE 2.8 Auto 87' Fiero SE 2.8 w/ .477 cam+ goodies 88' Fiero 4cyl 5-speed
This is where you separate the good drivers from the bad. No matter what fluid you use, as long as there is some in it, it will not stop your shifting abilities while shifting through gears it will only make them slower. Now if you had a 93-02 Z28 with out having the skip shift eliminator then I think everyone would agree sometimes that thing is a PITA when shifting hard... thank God I don't have that **** in any of my 3 Z's or both my Vettes.
Sorry, I disagree on this one. My 2nd gear just plain refused to engage until the the revs dropped while I had regular oil in it. 3rd and 4th were ok, but not 2nd. BTW I learned to shift in 1964 and was road racing by 1966.
Arn
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05:35 PM
Jun 8th, 2006
SCCAFiero Member
Posts: 1144 From: Boca Raton, Fl USA Registered: Apr 2006
Royal Purple makes synchromax not a synchromesh. What the differance is I have no idea but it is not what GM wanted in it.
Yes, I used it for 2 races before clutch problems cooked my synchros (we wanted to finish a race so we ran most of it with no clutch (lost the pedal after about 5 laps) which is very hard on a tranny when racing). The only thing I noticed was that the case leaked more with the synchromax. I switched to the Pennzoil synchromesh.
What is the best stuff for an auto though?
