ZIPPY

My last point John was meant as a joke, i fully understand that what you use should be based on the conditions you intend to use them, but my original point was against people pooh pooing other peoples opinions and implying they always know best.

Zippy

oilman

iTrader: (9)

So the burning question has to be.

Is Castrol Syntrax Universal 75w-90 suitable for the Scoobie as it does say on the datasheet - Not suitable for Limited Slip Differentials?

I am not questioning the product, just the suitability based on the data here:

http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp...0_B1278983.pdf

Or, is there another Syntrax?

Cheers
Simon

stockcar

that's the whole point Simon.......................the people who are using it are mainly in Uk or WRX spec cars that have a VC differential and don't need to have LS oil.............................


alyn

oilman

iTrader: (9)

Thanks alyn, clarified at last.

Cheers
Simon

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

So basically, I still don't know what gear oil to use for my standard sti 4 with 70k on the clock!

Razor2001

Yea, I have no clue either....JDM STI7....also need answers for rear diff and fluid amounts to put in.

oilman

iTrader: (9)

The viscosity is 75w-90, either fully or semi-synthetic.

Cheers
Simon

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

I was going to use Castrol Syntrax, and, to be honest, I think I still will. I've used some of these so called 'super slippery oils' before and was not impressed. Always believed in companys such as shell, castrol, mobil etc, simply due their vast experience in motorsport. If these new oils are so good, don't you think that shell, castrol and mobil would want to do something about it and improve their own products?
There is no substitute for experience, especially in motorsport. That doesn't mean however that i'm going to use what subaru use in their rally car gearbox 's. A dog-box is designed to perform super fast changes at the expense of comfort and ease.

Oilman, we know that you are only trying to sell your product, but come on, just because you have that name, doesn't mean you are an expert now does it??
You have expressed your opinion, (which quite frankly, is so obviously biased towards motul and silkolene) and Bob has expressed his.
The difference is, your opinion is backed up with the need to sell a product, Bob's on the other hand isn't.

oilman

iTrader: (9)

There are a couple of things that I should clarify here regarding the above statement which are factual.

75w-90 is 75w-90
GL4 is GL4
GL5 is GL5
Semi-synthetic is semi-synthetic
Fully synthetic is fully synthetic

The main difference is that some gear oils are not suitable for LSD's and some are and different basestocks are used depending on brand. Other than that 75w-90 is a tested viscosity and GL4/GL5 are standards that are universally recognised and need to be passed to appear on a can!

What brand you choose is up to you.

Cheers
Simon

dj219957

Just used Castrol Syntrax in my 96 wrx wagon. Gear changes are better now than before. Although I would put this down the the fact that the old oil was well overdue a change. Seems OK to me.

Andy

big mike

Just to fill you all in on my latest developments.

As mentioned earlier in the thread my clutch needs changing and I was getting crunching on gear change.

In another car I had in years gone by I switched to a fully synthetic and the crunching went away.

Now I started this thread asking for suggestions for a fully synthetic to drop in my MY97 unmodified Turbo wagon.

Oilman suggested the Silkolene Silktran 5. Various people on this thread suggested that this was not the way to go and that Oilman was just looking to flog more SIlkolene, if you can be bothered to look at his website he sells FUCHS, SILKOLENE(now owned by fuchs), CASTROL, MOBIL and TOTAL products, of these the Silkoene seems to be at the cheaper end of the range and surely if his sole aim was early retirement he would be pushing the one with the biggest margin (presumably the most expensive?)?

Anyway my point is this, I now have a quiet and well behaved gearbox! Which is exactly what I asked for. OK maybe another oil would have done the same job, but I didn't try that.

So all in all I am a happy bunny who got what he wanted at a reasonable price, you can't ask for more can you?

Regards,

Mike

ZIPPY

Well done Mike for posting up your results, so Oilman wasnt talking out of his dipstick then, contray to some peoples opinions.

Zippy

oilman

iTrader: (9)

I am not in the business of recommending the wrong oil and although it makes me unpopular with some here - I Will Not Change.

I own this business and I have absolutely no interest in recommending the wrong stuff, that would be both stupid and shortsighted!

Cheers
Simon

johnfelstead

Zippy, as said before you have to use the oil that suits the aplication. People arent saying oilman is talking out of his dipstick, they are saying you need to be flexible in your advice based around the loads the equipment is likely to see, going off a manual spec isnt always going to give you the correct answer.

It's pretty obvious to me that oilman wouldnt be posting on this BBS unless he could make some sales, thats his job/business. It's surprising the moderators havnt stopped him posting because he isnt an authorised advertiser yet he is clearly advertising his products. i personally dont care as it has no impact on me, but having that status next to his name would highlight he is selling his services whilst giving advice.

Razor2001

So a JDM STI7 gear box and diff have to use something special as they have LSD diffs ?

Cheers,
Ray

oilman

iTrader: (9)

LSD's require an oil that's suitable for LSD's.

If it isn't then you should not use it.

Cheers
Simon

johnfelstead

That depends on the type of LSD you have in use. You can use a non LSD specific oil with a Viscous Coupling (VC) or helical gear/suretrack type LSD. You need to use an LSD specific oil for Ramp and Plate type LSD's installed in some STi's.

Incedentaly the DCCD is a type of Ramp and Plate LSD arangement, but subaru dont specify an LSD oil as esential with this diff. Should you be doing high load work i would use an LSD specific oil with DCCD though.

This is a good illustration of why you cant give a yes or no type answer to the question, you have to know a bit more about the types of systems in use in the transmition and the uses it will be put to. Subaru are not like most manufacturers, they mix and match diff types depending on the model, and although the specs may say use a GL5 oil, to get the best out of the systems you need to delve a bit deaper than that.

Bob Rawle

Just come back to this one, Zippy I take your comment, re-reading the post it could come over like that, I get personally frustrated when someone advocates and emphasises something without the practice to suppport the theory, both are needed to make sound judgements imho.

Anyway some comments on my use of the Castrol, I've only put it in the gearbox not the rear diff, its been in for a few thousand miles now, when cold the box is almost as slick as when hot, gearshifting only needs a light touch, any tendancy towards gear whine has virtually vanished, its doing a good job for me and if asked its what I would recommend to others in the same situation.

The STi5, which had the redline in it, is currently running with redline residue and Silkolene Syltran (spelling?), since reverting to this (its what was in to start with) the box has regained most of its slickness however it still crunches in the mid gears on occasion, I have put that down to the mixed oil. I went into Halfords (easiest) to get the Castrol as I will try that next and I wanted it "instantly" ... lol what a laugh, they had three bottle's on the shelf, I asked when they were getting some more, "when we are down to two bottles", then he said "but we would only order in two more", on that basis they would never have the 5 bottles I need ... lol

The box in the STi9 was new in the car of course, the box in the STi5 is a used one, that might be the difference and it could be that it waill always be a bit crunchy however I will invest to progress and try it, if its no better I will revert to the Silkolene since that allows for VERY fast shifting at the moment.

As a final comment Johns view that there is no hard and fast rule I agree with, it can be expensive finding the best oil for your particular box but when you do stick to it.

cheers

bob

john banks

Halfords branches are the same for Syntrax up here as well Bob. I went to two stores to get my lot

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

Nobody was suggesting Oilman was talking out of his dipstick, or any other part of his anatomy for that matter! I've enjoyed his input and theoretical knowledge of oils - both engine and transmission, but by his own admission he does not drive a Subaru and therefore must rely on the knowledge and experience of those who do to provide feedback on the performance of the various products in this area.
Lots of people are, and will be using, full synthetic fluids in their Subaru boxes with no problem at all. Some of us however, have experienced a problem and have stated as such. Take heed or ignore - no problem!
I bet Oilman doesn't get so much reaction on the other sites he posts on??
JohnD

JIM THEO

I use Syntrax for Gearbox in both my old MY00 and my WRX03 without problems and although I have tried other oils I believe this is very good to stay with.
Although in my rear diff after more than 4-5 different oils I tried, found the Motul Gear 300 best for the standard VC and moreover the Suretrac I currently have, it gives the required "slipperiness" and locks more the differential than the Syntrax!
I have found the Elf HTX732 much better oil than the above but is very difficult to find it localy!
JIM