For Twiget: 6 speed oil?

[sothpaw]

I read a thread a while back about changing the 6 speed transmission
oil. Twiget recommends "BMW M5 motor oil" with 60w.

I just ran by to the BMW dealer and asked him for this. It is10W-60 and doesn't seem
to be specific to BMW. It says "Castrol TWS motorsport, full synthetic motor oil...a fully synthetic HIGHTEC engine oil for racing engines...exceeds API SJ/CF, ACEA A3/B3,
Porshe Special oil approved, BMW Special oil approved".

It sounds like good stuff, but I don't know if it's the right stuff. I checked the Owner's manual, GM calls for 5W-30.

Finally: Should I even change this oil if I never have before? The car is a 1993 with 74 k miles.
The transmission has always shifted well...the owner's manual says changing this oil is not necessary, I don't believe it.

 

[Muddy]

I am currently tuning my 1992 6-speed vette and changing all oil and filters. One thread suggested the top three oils to use in the gearbox where first BMW motor oil, second Red Line and third Mobil 1. I have nothing against BMW (in fact I have owned 3 of them, one after the other) but can’t help think you may not be getting value for money. The other two oils may be a better buy.

Personally I am trying Synergyn oil; it is use in the racing circle. I have been in contact with their expert and he suggested using the 5W-30 synthetic motor oil and changing it every 30K miles, though it would be good for at least 50K.

Muddy

 

[twiget]

Originally posted on ZR51 Performance.com

TRANSMISSION OIL (status) - Vascular flow of oil through the porous Phosphorus-bronze (Pb) material of each synchronizer is essential for effective British Thermal Unit (BTU) heat exchange occurrence. Frequent transmission oil changes will ensure lower Pb particle levels suspended in the oil. The ZF S6-40 6-speed transmission is lubricated by engine type oil. Manufacturer recommendations specify the use of GM P/N 1052931 (5w-30) or BMW P/N 07510009420 (10w-60) oil.
Approximate oil capacity of the ZF S6-40 is 2.2 qts.
FYI - the BMW 10w-60 oil is fully-synthetic and is used in the BMW M5 engine.

So in a nutshell, you do need to change out your tranny oil. I dont remember the exact number, but I think it's about 10k. Bill Boudreau (the man behind ZR51) has rebuilt many a ZF-6 and highly reccomends the BMW 10w-60 oil. I did mine with the 10w-60 oil and the shifts where much smoother, and easier. If you would like the procedure let me know. It's really simple.

Something else I thought you guys might find interseting:

Originally posted on ZR51 Performance.com

DURABILITY:
The ZF S6-40 test program for design acceptance for release into production was defined by General Motors Uniform Test Standard (GMUTS) R15-6. This involved 15,000 miles of full-throttle up-shifts at engine redline and downshifts to redline. This was done mostly up and down a 7.2 percent grade on the GM Proving Ground In Milford, Mich., and included
wide-open-throttle runs uphill in reverse!
Another test involved 200,000 highway and proving ground test miles, while still another test involved about 80 hours of high-speed testing on various racetracks and at the GM Desert Proving Ground in Mesa, Ariz. This was followed up by a thousand miles of testing on the high banks at Talladega Super Speedway in Alabama.

Jason

 

[caddy]

As stupid as this may sound, Can you get the BMW oil any place other than a BMW dealer, I read one of the posts and the dude said when he went to buy the BMW stuff they sold him Castrol?
Go Figure?
thands

 

[Vettelt193]

When I switched my '93 from the factory fill to Mobil 1 10W-30, it was like night and day. the car shifted smoother, and the interior stayed cooler by the tranny tunnel. well worth the switch to any fully synthetic oil.

 

[caddy]

So your saying I can actually use Mobil 1 in the 6-speed tranny?
The same oil in the engine?
thanks

 

[Vettelt193]

I did... It worked great. I took advice from a ZR1 owner who did the same (who took advice from other ZR1 owners). It was one of the best things I did to the car.

 

[caddy]

I'm gonna ask a really crazy question because frankly I just don't know.......
I want to change my 6-Speed Tranny oil to Mobil 1 10w-30, now I don't have a shop lift , so I'll have to just jack up the Vette and do it like that.

QUESTION: Now is that possible? What do I need to do to drain the oil and do I need to do anything in particular to add the new oil?


thanks

 

[Vettelt193]

I'm gonna ask a really crazy question because frankly I just don't know.......
I want to change my 6-Speed Tranny oil to Mobil 1 10w-30, now I don't have a shop lift , so I'll have to just jack up the Vette and do it like that.

QUESTION: Now is that possible? What do I need to do to drain the oil and do I need to do anything in particular to add the new oil?


thanks

you can do it yourself. you need a special socket to get the drain and fill plugs off. it is basically an oversized allen socket. maybe someone else will chime in on the exact size, i can't remember off hand. You will also need a basic pump to pump the new oil in. you can get one for about $5 from a local parts store.

The whole procedure is pretty easy... unscrew the fill plug, unscrew the drain plug -- fluid drains -- put the drain plug back in, pump new fluid in, put fill plug back in. nothing else necessary