best oil for T5?

[hainzy]

I know this has been spoken about before and ive done my research, but i just wanted to check the final word from the gurus before i go and get my trans fluid...

It seems the best oil for the job is castrol EPX 75W/80 plus 150ml of penrite Lubrizol?

Ive also been told Transmax Z, Dextron 3 and VMX 80, and ive been told avoid ATF...

Sound about right?

Cheers for any input.

[Haydz]

ive used 75w/85 before in my t5 and its still going strong after many a thrashing. i havent tried auto fluids but id avoid them as i find when they get hot theyd thin out too much and not protect the gearbox properly

[Blown V6 Hatch]

Castrol VMX 80.

[Tom_1569]

ive used 75w/85 before in my t5 and its still going strong after many a thrashing. i havent tried auto fluids but id avoid them as i find when they get hot theyd thin out too much and not protect the gearbox properly

I use Dex 3 (which is an ATF correct?)m used it for shit, probs 45,000+kms, havent had a problem, until I read what you wrote. After 3-4 hours of driving, and I try and shift my gearbox makes a heap of funny noises, have to pump the clutch until it will shift, could be a couple of pumps to nearly 10 which is a prick in traffic. Will change to a different fluid when I do the clutch and flywheel AGAIN.

[dirt drifter]

i use dextron 3 in mine, purely because when it was reco'd just before i bought the car, the mob that did it recommended the dextron to old mate i bought it off so i stuck with it.

i havent experienced any of the above issues ^^^^^^ running dextron oil. and i've done 700k stints in mine only stopping to refuel.

however i wouldn't mind trying the VMX80 just to see what its like. i did some thread digging a while ago on here and there was an old one that reckoned with dex3 vs VMX80 one oil was easy to shift with but hard on bearings and the other was the opposite?

[strgas]

50/50 mix of gear oil 80w and atf , would use this mix in new gearboxes when customers complained of harsh shifting while working for holden

[VK SL 3800]

The holden workshop manual for VP's says to use Shell 75/90w gear oil. ATF is supposed to be used in later T5's or 'world class' versions. These versions have a use ATF only sticker next to the filler when new. Using ATF in older versions will not harm bearings or gears but causes the syncro rings to wear quicker then normal but gives an easier shift when cold.

[VK_3800]

All VN onwards T5s are World Class. They should run either ATF or a gear oil with suitable additive for the synchro friction linings - they will not wear quicker with ATF, they will be destroyed without suitable fluid.

[hainzy]

Yikes.

This is what happened last time I researched it. So many different opinions! Its great though. Appreciate the input.