Thumbs up for Spirax.

[bcal]

I put it my alfetta transaxle a couple of weeks back and what a difference
Shift is real smooth now....almost like a proper gearbox

I was running Castrol Multitrax but this is way better.

[danny]

What weight of the Shell Spirax trans oil are you using?

[bcal]

I used 80W90

[andrewg]

Spirax was the factory fill since Alfa went to Moly synchros till the Milano. I use it on any non-track/HP customer car. Usually go through 2 or 3 30 lb jugs every 6 months. A great fluid, especially when you do not have cold temps.

[AR4me]

Andrew,
Which tranny oil do you use on the race car or HP cars?
Jes

[andrewg]

After years of trying all sorts of the "special" gear oils, I am back to using Redline. In our endurance racing, before we added rear brake ducts, we used to regularly boil the gear oil in the transaxle for at least 3 or so hours. Many of the special gear oils were supposed to be better at heat dissipation, but after tear downs the transaxle internals all looked like we cooked them over oil. The gears were all burned; all metal surfaces were burnt in appearance. The plastic bits inside crumbled upon disassembly. It was bad enough that the bronze bushings inside the gears were black and would move around the gear itself. The transaxles running Redline went the same overheating and the old fluid looked and smelled bad (does gear oil ever smell good?). Upon tear down though, the internal parts were spotless. Everything was in perfect shape. After those seasons, I am a firm believer in Redline products.

[AR4me]

Did you ever try running a transmission oil cooler? I'm contemplating adding one using a Mocal or similar pump.
Jes

[andrewg]

I would if I could - SCCA IT rules forbid running transmission coolers. Once we added simple rear brake ducts ( or rear vented rotors if allowed ) the rear problem went away.

[AR4me]

Quote:

Once we added simple rear brake ducts ( or rear vented rotors if allowed ) the rear problem went away.

[danny]

Andrew,

If the Redline works so well for the race cars, what is the downside to using it in the street cars (esp the rear transaxle cars)?

Thanks,
-Danny

[Biscione]

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny What weight of the Shell Spirax trans oil are you using?

[bcal]

Apparently it's used in many industrial applications.
I bought mine here in Australia from an industrial distributor called Blackwoods.
At less than $30 Aus for 5 liters I thought it quite reasonably priced. Especially when compared to Redline which is more than double that over here.

[andrewg]

If the Redline works so well for the race cars, what is the downside to using it in the street cars (esp the rear transaxle cars)?

For most people the disadvantage for street cars is cost. Redline sells for $10 a quart, you need about three/four quarts (depending on how much you spill) so you are looking at a $40ish dollars just for fluid. The cost of Spriax is around $5 a quart. Double the cost is hard for a lot of customers to accept without a big advantage. Another advantage of synthetic gear oil is improved shifting when it is cold - not a real problem here in Houston.

Shell lubricates can be purchased for IAP or in most cases your local Shell lubricate dealer. I end up buying it from my local Shell distributor in 30 lb jugs, but we use 2 or 3 every six months.

[lowmileage]

I'm happy with it but I know syn (i.e. Redline MT90) made a world of difference in my daily drivers transaxle for cold weather driving - but since I don't do winter driving in the Alfa ....

[Slash]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biscione Anyone know where to buy Spirax in Orange County, CA?