Differential Lubricant | FerrariChat

Differential Lubricant

Discussion in '348/355' started by Aris64, Mar 14, 2024.

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  1. Aris64

    Aris64 Karting

    Feb 26, 2024
    79
    Greece
    Full Name:
    Aris Arvanitakis
    I have searched everywhere but still not satisfied on the proper lubricant for the differential. It is understood that Ferrari spec demands GL5, that's fine. However differential is limited slip type with disks if understood correctly. Such differential, as far as I know, need special oil with friction modifier to improve the disks' performance. To my view this is some sort of compromise since both, gear box and differential use the same oil. Any how what is the best established practice? GL 5, its ok but what about this controversial need of differential?
     
  2. redwedge

    redwedge Formula Junior

    Sep 30, 2012
    479
    London
    Full Name:
    Steve C
    There are many threads where people have shared their experience of different gear oils. The oil manufacturers recommend prioritising synchros over diff, i.e. don't use products with slip agent added. I use Motul Gear 300 FWIW, but you'll get 5 or 6 different recommendations on here.
     
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  3. jjtjr

    jjtjr Formula Junior

    Aug 29, 2016
    763
    Vermont
    Full Name:
    john truskowski
    Redline 75W90NS
     
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  4. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    7,083
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Dominick
    Like stated above - lots of recommendations - I like Mobil 1 Syn Gear Oil for this model
     
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  5. Timmo

    Timmo Formula Junior

    Aug 26, 2017
    694
    Continental Europe
    Another vote for Motul Gear 300 LS 75W90, where LS stands for "limited slip" differential. This is what I put in the transaxles of all of my Porsches/Ferraris.
     
  6. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jun 11, 2004
    11,278
    CT
    Full Name:
    John Kreskovsky
    Mobile 1 75W90 LS.
     
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  7. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,789
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    This is what I use, and I found a significant improvement over whatever the previous owner used.
     
  8. JoeCab

    JoeCab Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    May 27, 2014
    470
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Joe C
    This works great for me as well, and is what Redline themselves recommend. Better cold performance is especially noticeable.

    The "NS" means it DOESN'T have any limited slip additive, which is important for the syncros.

    IF you get limited slip chatter and it's bothersome, you can add a few ounces of limited slip additive (or mix 4 qts 75W90NS with 1 qt regular 75W90), but I have not found this to be necessary.
     
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  9. redwedge

    redwedge Formula Junior

    Sep 30, 2012
    479
    London
    Full Name:
    Steve C
    Just to be clear, I wasn't recommending the 300 LS, quite the opposite in fact. The LS version contains slip additive which is not good for your synchros.
     
  10. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    7,083
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Dominick
    With the 355 iron synchro..not an issue

    With 360 430 problem

    Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk
     
  11. redwedge

    redwedge Formula Junior

    Sep 30, 2012
    479
    London
    Full Name:
    Steve C
    Making the gear oil more slippery degrades the operation of the synchros no matter what they are made of.
     
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  12. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    7,083
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Dominick
    That would show as hard shifting ..then yes try NS .. agreed

    Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk
     
  13. Timmo

    Timmo Formula Junior

    Aug 26, 2017
    694
    Continental Europe
    Well, I stand corrected. It is a shame that Ferrari recommends a GL-5 oil when it has been reported on here over the years that a GL-4 oil should be used instead.
     
  14. Niklasbraun

    Niklasbraun Karting

    Nov 30, 2023
    54
    Nuremberg
    Full Name:
    Niklas Braun
    I've had great experiences with Red Line's 75W90 GL-5 Gear Oil.
     
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  15. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran
    Sponsor Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 28, 2018
    5,728
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Eric
    You could always use what Ferrari recommends. Works great for me, the AMSOIL I had prior made the car almost undrivable, it was an awful experience. I can even shift second when cold. It's not butter but it shifts. No tooth chipping going in and out of gear either.


    https://avepetroleum.com/uploads/prod_images/shell_spirax_s5_ate_75w-90_synthetic_transaxle_oil_pail.jpg


    As I understand GL4's also work some say better since GL4 lubricant is designed for medium to low offset hypoid gears. In the 308, 328, 348, 355 transaxles there are NO hypoid gears of any type, hi, low, or medium, offset. Some say it works better lots of folks use it in the 308 world. Quite a few tech with decades experience recommend it. MTL and MT90 seem to be the one most people report positive effects from.

    I'll probably try MTL when I use the 5 gallon pale of Spirax I have.
     
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  16. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jun 11, 2004
    11,278
    CT
    Full Name:
    John Kreskovsky
    I was just going to post about S5 ATE.
     

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  17. Targatime

    Targatime Formula 3

    Feb 22, 2014
    1,461
    Los Angeles
    I took @Rifledriver's advice (in a past thread) and used GL4 and my gearbox shifts great.
     
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  18. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,288
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    Since positraction is so common now most GL5 oils have it . You have to go out of your way to find a GL5 without. Chattering positraction is in most cases just an annoyance. I run both a 328 and a TR with no positraction additive and they chatter just a little so I just ignore it. I would much rather have the better shifting and better positraction lock up that goes with not using any additive.
     
  19. ShineKen

    ShineKen Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 3, 2007
    20,036
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Nostradamus
    MT-90?
     
  20. ShineKen

    ShineKen Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 3, 2007
    20,036
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Nostradamus
    My car with Redline 75w-90 shifts like butter. Makes me wonder what the fuss is all about :).
     
  21. Timmo

    Timmo Formula Junior

    Aug 26, 2017
    694
    Continental Europe
    MT-90 is what I put in mine quickly after finding out that the Motul Gear 300 LS did not work at all. It shifts much better now.
     
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  22. Targatime

    Targatime Formula 3

    Feb 22, 2014
    1,461
    Los Angeles
    I use: Redline MT90 75w90 GL4
     
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  23. ShineKen

    ShineKen Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 3, 2007
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    Nostradamus
    50/50 mix?
     
  24. Targatime

    Targatime Formula 3

    Feb 22, 2014
    1,461
    Los Angeles
    What do you mean? Mix with what?
     
  25. ShineKen

    ShineKen Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 3, 2007
    20,036
    Southern California
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    Nostradamus
    Nevermind. I assumed you mixed Redline MT-90 with Redline 7w-90, but I see now you were simply referring to MT90. Could have just answered me with a “yes.” :)
     
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