Hello ferrarichat, Today a gear oil change was performed on a 355 to the royal purple 75/90 GL-5 specification. Immediately the gear shifter was smoother with no more hesitation, even when stone cold. Runs strong and smooth. It seems owners/techs here recommend REDLINE MTL for problematic gearboxes, but its good to know we have options for gear oil. The idea to use royal purple came after hearing of other ferrari owners using it in older models. Its always good to see recommendations from other owners!
The gearbox had Valvoline 75/90 gl5 which I believe was a blend previously. In the past I have experienced valvoline, pennzoil, mobil 1, lucas, and shell in these gearboxs. Never had a chance to try the redline out yet.
Thanks for the info. I'm very pleased with the improvement Redline NS made in my car but I might try Amsoil next since the best shifting 348 I've ever driven had it in the gearbox. BTW, do you have an LM002? Never even driven one, but I still love them.
Your welcome. I will try the Redline NS next opportunity as I have only heard great things.. Royal purple seems to have mixed reviews on the internet; I did not expect magic, I think it was replacing tired fluid, hence the drastic improvement. I am a big ferrari fan and find the LM002 to be interesting/unique for Lamborghini as only around 328 were produced!
Agreed. The PO of my car was a stickler for running factory recommended fluids, so pretty much anything was going to be an upgrade. Seems like every gearbox has its own favorite fluid so I will probably continue to experiment, but so far I'm loving the improvement provided by the NS. Right with you on the Lambo-- those things are just insane. Sure wish I'd had the foresight to pick one up when they were cheap.
Redline in the gearbox is the best that I have used. I use 5W40 Royal Purple in the crankcase and the car seems to like it best. Incidentally, I put it in my 550s as well and they like it too.
I agree, seems that everybody has their own preference regarding fluids. Factory fluids are tried and tested when the cars were new,but if something could stand improvement, I like to keep an open mind and try a new brand. We have to remember that what was available in the mid 1990's as cutting edge might be improved upon by different manufacturers today! Sure, a large degree could be marketing with certain fluids but if it works for the owner, the proof is in the pudding. There are so many cars I would love to experience, but not enough space for all! Like the lm002, another unique Lambo is the Jalpa, perhaps odd looking but a great sounding v8 predecessor to the gallardo, they are through the roof now as well!
Love the looks of the Jalpa. They were cheap for so long and then suddenly values skyrocketed. I was always worried that parts would be difficult to find due to the limited production numbers, but it seems like Lamborghini might be doing a better job of servicing older cars than Ferrari is.
Here are the basic properties for the Redline 75/90: Can someone post the specifications for the Royal Purple 75/90?
I have Royal Purple gear and Motor oil in both my 355 and 328 for the past 2+ years. Had no issues with either car.
In the case of Ferrari factory fluids it is more a matter of what is on the shelf that will prevent destruction. Shell has been paying Ferrari very large sums of money for a very long time and to think the products are used because they are the best available for the job is just ludicrous. They are used because they are waving the biggest check. We have an LM002. I'd be happy to sell it but it has proven too good an investment. It has become something serious exotic collectors need to check off a box.
I believe the RP can help some troublesome boxes but it sure did nothing for my 6-speed Getrag. I gave it a chance for about 4000km but eventually decided to change it. In my case the only remidy against hard and somewhat grinding shifts was the Redline MTL. Good stuff
+1 It's why I asked for specs. Every time I do nothing materializes. m.stajonvic post showing the performance of the various gear oils speaks volumes about RP's ability to hold up under stress. I won't put Royal Purple in my lawnmower until I at least know what it is.
If you dig deep enough there is a lot of interesting information about the differences in GL4 and GL5 oils and what they are really designed for and the long term effect of GL5 in transmissions with brass syncros. There is also a lot of obfuscation about the chemistry and brass on the part of many oil companies. FWIW all of the trans repairs I have been doing in the last few years replacing syncros match the photos and descriptions of the negative effect of GL5 chemistry on brass. Ferrari did not use brass in transaxles until the 355/456/550 so our experiences prior were meaningless in this particular matter. Some manufacturers are very adamant about no GL5 in their transmissions while Ferrari specs it. Asking an oil company what oil to use they will always go with the spec assigned by the manufacturer to avoid any liabilities, completely understandable but understanding why these transmissions are having the problems they have might lead one in another direction.
You really think the GL5 is causing issues in the 355 gearbox? Is there a physical disadvantage in running a GL4 gear oil in the 355 instead of the GL5? I ask because I do not really understand the differences & effects between the GL4 & GL5 oils.