AS you know, we have some troubles to put the second gear wen the oil is cold... I saw that a lot of owners use 'Red Line Superlight Shockproof' oil, is it the best solution ? Do we have similar oil from other suppliers like BP, Agip, etc..... ?
Redline makes numerous gear oils, some great, a few are awful (e.g. their MTL sux). Their blue lightweight shockproof rocks, though! Highly recommended.
I ran the car on original 74W90 (some top shelf brand), which was better than the old crap, Then I joined F-chat and went for RedLine 75W90NS 75% and 75W90 25% which made second shifting better. At my recent service I took the plunge and went for RedLine Superlight Shockproof, now my 2nd gear shifts like all other gears, hot or cold! Just do it! Marco
I´m confused: which one should I buy; LightWeight ShockProof Gear Oil OR SuperLight ShockProof Gear Oil ? How many containers should I order?
I made a mistake (was reading and typing at the same time). Get the Lightweight Shockproof. It comes in bottles with a light blue label and is a yellowish liquid (not a clear amber liquid like normal oils). You will need 5 bottles. They are in US Quarts and you need 4 Liters which is a little over 4 bottles. Keep some spare for top-ups and you are set. The best stuff, simply... I have run it in my Mondial t (same gearbox as the 348) for well over 6000 miles! Marco
Just thought you might like to read this. Too lazy to look up whether the 348 has a pump or cooler, but suspect you have both. The thought being it may be working fine for your synchros, but not for your pump or cooler. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=139085671&postcount=40 Taz Terry Phillips
I have seen what Ridline says about coolers and such, but if there was a problem, we would have heard about it by now.
I tried to tell this board a few years ago that Redline doesn't recommend the Shock Proof product for our gearboxes. Check out their website. 348's don't have a cooler for the gearbox but there is a pump. 355's have a heat exchanger and a pump. I had the best luck with the MTL in my 355CH and the 70-90w in my 348. Something I did find over the years is that individual cars react differently to the same Redline product, ie; one 348 may work well with the MTL and not 70-90w products and another does better with 70-90w.
MTL does not meet Ferrari 348 factory standards; it's a GL4, not GL5 gear oil. Please don't suggest that anyone use it. I have used it, and it's quite awful.
Thanks Terry, I was going to actually reference this also and couldn't find it, but thankfully you did.
Mike- Hate to see anyone damage their transmission/transaxle. Too bloody expensive to repair. My car's transaxle uses Valvoline Synpower 75W-90 and it works great with no worries about additives, etc. Easy to find and relatively inexpensive GL-5. I do not even want to know how much it would cost to replace a transmission oil pump. A lot more than putting the correct oil in it rather than use one the oil's manufacturer recommends you not use. Do have to admit the recommended Shell 75W-90 is inferior, though. Probably best to just use what Brian recommends and not worry about anything failing. Anybody need me to go to Redline's site and post their exact words here? Just trying to keep my Ferrari buddies out of trouble. Taz Terry Phillips
Keep in mind that Redline has lots of products with similar names. Lightweight Shockproof is different than Superlightweight Shockproof, and I see no warning on Redline's site against Lightweight Shockproof: http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=43&pcid=7
ND- As long as everybody checks what they are using to make sure it is what they need, you have performed a great service. Taz Terry Phillips
We have discussed this before, the 348 and the 355 are not Hypoid type gears that is the only reason you would need a GL-5 rated gear oil. I have used it in my 355 and 348 with great results. I have even gone as far as to check the filter screens in the cars and after 20000 miles of using in it those gearboxes the screens have been clean. You need to go to Redlines site (as I have suggested in the past) and do some research. You ought to take your own advice and stop recommending Shock Proof for our gearboxes. Go Here and see for yourselves: http://www.redlineoil.com/Products.aspx?pcid=8
Thanks Terry. I use Redline's 75W90NS and am very satisfied with it. I do not use any additives either, just the 75W90NS.
Mike- Here is the actual quote from the Redline site. ABOUT RED LINE SHOCKPROOF® GEAR OILS Acting like a liquid grease, these unique lubricants contain a suspension of solid microscopic particles as an extreme pressure agent, offering a "best of both worlds" balance of low drag and superior protection for gear teeth Unique lubricant with solid microscopic particles offers low drag/high protection Relatively low viscosity, yet cushions gear teeth under extreme pressure Helps to prevent tooth breakage, resists throw-off Avoid use with pumps, coolers, and filters as unique medium and affinity for metal can cause clogging Bold added for emphasis. Taz Terry Phillips
