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Thread: Which Manual Transmission fluid ?

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    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! johnfett's Avatar
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    Question Which Manual Transmission fluid ?

    Looking at buying a Miata Shifter Kit from MiataRoadster.com and see they mention Ford Motorcraft XT-M5-QS Synthetic Manual Transmission fluid with their kits.


    But what are you guys using? help? feedback?

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    Ninja Messiah kung fu jesus's Avatar
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    That Ford fluid is quite good.

    I like Dino oil in older transmissions (Early NAs), Redline MTL in newer ones.

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    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! johnfett's Avatar
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    Is the synthetic more prone to leaking, is that why you like the dino oil?

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    Ninja Messiah kung fu jesus's Avatar
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    No.

    The older transmissions use different metals. It's just a preference, but I have used both in the older trannys. I just like the feel of the regular stuff in the older boxes.

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    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! johnfett's Avatar
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    also, how do you get the old oil out of that turret area without making a huge mess of oil spilling and oil drops all over the interior?

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    Ninja Messiah kung fu jesus's Avatar
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    If you have an NB like your avatar shows, you don't have to worry about it. It shares the oil in the box. On NAs, I used a turkey baster, larger syringe, or the fluid pump for the trans fluid itself to remove the old oil from the turret. There isn't much in there. Place an old towel around the open turret and have anther handy just in case.

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    Admin / Pit Boss / Miataholic Phatmiata's Avatar
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    ah man I forgot about this, I still have my MiataRoadster kit in the office and need to install it, maybe this weekend.

    So the NA guys are using Dino fluid now?

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    Ninja Messiah kung fu jesus's Avatar
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    No, I just prefer dino in an older box, it feels less notchy to me. Just an opinion offered as requested.

    I have mentioned this before, too, that the NC turret boot fits the 90-05 Miatas and is 1/3 to 1/2 the price of the NA/NB boot (thanks to Tsingson for sharing that!)

    http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread....ll=1#post89760

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    Admin / Pit Boss / Miataholic Phatmiata's Avatar
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    good to know, the kit I got from MiataRoadster is VERY complete, just needs oil.
    I am leaching this thread too for member info

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    Super Moderator RotorNutFD3S's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by kung fu jesus View Post
    I like Dino oil in older transmissions (Early NAs), Redline MTL in newer ones.
    I share this preference as well.

    Quote Originally Posted by kung fu jesus View Post
    If you have an NB like your avatar shows, you don't have to worry about it. It shares the oil in the box.
    I know what you meant considering he has an '01 SE, but just FYI for others who may not know: only the 6-speeds share the oil between the case and turret, 5-speeds are separate systems from 90-05. And in my experience, only the 6-speeds benefit from the more expensive Motorcraft fluid.
    I've got a lot less horsepower - luckily they are Japanese horses - usually in better shape and more motivated.

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  14. #11
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift Demon I Am's Avatar
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    I've used the Motorcraft in the last 2 transmissions, and will put it in the next one.

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    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone wannafbody's Avatar
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    Amsoil MTG, nectar of the gods

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    5,000 rpm - there be torque here! The Driver's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Phatmiata View Post
    ah man I forgot about this, I still have my MiataRoadster kit in the office and need to install it, maybe this weekend.

    So the NA guys are using Dino fluid now?
    Not me. Motorcraft Synth, that's what's for dinner!
    96 Montego, replacing a 95M... I miss: My running peeps in Tampa, running barefoot @ Clearwater Beach and First Choice BBQ, in Brandon. In So Cal I miss: The Malibu Canyons, CA 33 and In & Out Burgers ! I'm from Tampa, if I was from Tampa Bay, I'd be a fish!

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    Idling - Listen to it purr... Quigs's Avatar
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    The Motorcraft fluid works really nice in my Speed3...can't imagine it not making a bit of a difference in my NB as well. It'll be my fluid of choice for my cars for the foreseeable future I think.
    2009 Mazdaspeed3 - Daily/track
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  19. #15
    Idling - Listen to it purr... The Thaw's Avatar
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    I just put the ford motorc in my 6 speed....its great...use it!!!

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