ATF in berlina gear box

Christian · #1 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 07:12 AM

Has anybody ever run automatic trans fluid in a 5speed gearbox.

I was talking to my local mechanic and he recomended it to me.

He said that he runs it in his race car (yes it is an Alfa) which he runs 12 and 24 hour races in about 1800 to 2000 shifts per race and hasn't had the rebuild as often. When he ran gear oil he was rebuilding after every race.

I know alot here tend to run Shell spirax or Redline, but I have been unable to locate it locally.

Just wondering what your thoughts were on this and if anyone has run the ATF?

thanks

Chrsitian

NOBLE 309 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 02:12 PM

Have been running it for 5 years since my rebuild-perfect no grind shifts.
10 years ago an alfa GTV won the 24 enduro at nelsons ledges in ITB.
the team used ATF in gearbox. thats were I got the idea.

**sprint63** · #3 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 06:45 PM

Hi; which fluid do you use.ford ,gm or chrysler. Dick

Christian · #4 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 07:06 AM

Thank you fot the reply, Noble.

Where in Pittsburgh are you?

Thanks

Christain

NOBLE 309 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 07:52 AM

Dick,
Use GM Dextron III .The first time I found out about it's use in a gearbox was in my SHO years ago. The ford ATF was the factory fill.

Christian,
When I posted I did not notice you were from Pittsburgh.
We must both know Don Wannagut.
I live in Mt Lebanon. you?

**Andrew** · #6 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 01:26 PM

Is the mechanic who recommended ATF a knowledgeable Alfa guy? Never heard this before on a stock Alfa trans. Seems like it might be too thin, and not have the right friction coefficient for the synchros to work. Proof is in the pudding though, if it's worked for five years.

Andrew

NOBLE 309 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 02:05 PM

He is an old school alfa guy.
If anyone has a great memory he was written up in Alfa Owner in 1993 and 1994 for pulling off a win in ITB at "The Longest Day@Nelson Ledges" 24 hour enduro in a 1974 GTV. in the 1994 Race after 23 hours the two lead cars (alfa GTV and BMW 2002) were on the same lap. then the Bimmer Broke!
the ATF is very thin but the box likes it-zero 2nd gear grind.

bianchi1 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 04:52 PM

ever seen red-line tranny oil for our cars? looks just as thin as atf..

crashmctavish · #9 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 10:22 PM

I use Dexron III ATF in my gas gas trial bike, its recommended, I had not thought of using it in the alfa. However it will have EP additives which any Tx fluid requires. Anyone used it in an LSD?

bianchi1 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 12:06 PM

i saw this in a T-5 transmission site, they changed the oil in the tranny from reg. gearbox oil ( T-5 tranny,nion world class) to atf on the world class tranny, the diff?the T-5 wc box used tapered rollor brearings on the countershaft, and the non wc t-5 boxes used flat( cylindricl) bearings.

Dovali · #11 (**permalink**) 10-22-2009, 05:44 AM

For 105 racing trannys this will work

ATF works oke when you mix it.
1.0 liter transmission oil 0,6 liter ATF .

In the diff it wont work.
After 3 hours hard labour the teeth are sharp as an razerblade.
Same problems with transaxel car.