355 If shifting into 2nd gear is problematic when cold...

1st to 3

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redline MTL was the solution 20 years ago.

 

You know, even when warm/hot, I often shift from red line in 1st to 2,000 RPM in 6th.

 

I have no doubt that the MTL would help with cold shifting - is there any degradation in syncro performance when the car is up to temperature compared to the Redline 75W90NS?

The Redline MTL is a GL4 oil but also a slightly thinner weight than spec - so if we could determine which of those properties is helping the cold shifting it would be helpful.

If the GL4 properties are really what is helping shifting there is also Redline MT-90 which is a GL4 in the proper weight.

 

RL 75W90NS is a GL4/GL5 specifically for transaxles. MTL is a 75W80 GL4, and MT-90 is the 75W90 version.

The ideal choice is 75W90NS, but MT-90 can also be used though it's not recommended for use in differentials

 

Exactly why I like to shift at 6k. At least I get to use 2nd gear.

 

i have, it puts some load on the clutch.

 

i honestly dont remember - @Rifledriver wld be the guy to opine. im pretty sure it has been discussed in here, testarossa, and 328 forums but i know ive used MTL for my 355 tranny since 2002.

 

355 was considered a very slick shifting car without any special oil from when they 1st came out. If you have a shifting issue there is something wrong.

 

I have never heard that applied to a 355. 308 or Testarossa yes but never a 355. They had totally different transmissions.

 

355 is notorious for cold second gear grind. At least up in the northeast.

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/355-2nd-gear-change-from-cold.22279/

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/355-gearbox-issues.274258/

 

Obviously, there is internal wear causing these shifting issues.

For most people, the time to address this would be when having a major done. So I think people are trying to determine if there are techniques or different gear oils that can help, until that time comes.

 

When the car is cold, I usually shift from 1st to 3rd. Once everything is warmed up, shifting is fine.

 

I would expect issues from wear to be more apparent when the oil is hot. Additionally, if it were wear related I would expect it to worsen with miles and from my experience of 14k miles driven, nothing has changed.

 

Maybe I’m lucky, but I have never had any problems shifting into any gear in my 355, hot or cold. It’s always been fine. Having said that I just looked at my records and I have changed the gearbox oil 14 times in the last 20 years. I had one episode of difficulty shifting which turned out to be an alignment issue of the shifter rod.

 

I refer to those as acts of human intervention. They are responsible for most shifting issues with that transmission.

 

Same here with my F355 Challenge, Bob. Like you, my gearbox oil is changed yearly at the beginning of every track season. Royal Purple Max Gear 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Oil is used.

Some might say my car is "over-serviced" as my engine oil and filter are changed prior to every track event. Mobil 1 15W-50 Full Synthetic is used. Brakes are bled and filled to correct fluid level with Brembo LCF600 Racing Brake Fluid. But my car is used at extreme levels and the gearbox and engine have remained problem-free over the 13 years I've owned and tracked my car.

Barry