legacycentral bbs

Hi, I am a new 93 SS owner and am looking to change the fluids in my drivetrain. I have searched and read most if not all the threads on this topic but still haven't got a clear answer.

Basically my question is, is it safe to use Redline 75W-90NS all around?

Sorry if this is a n00b question but I am, infact, a n00b to the SS and Subarus in general.

Welcome to the board, I see you have the finest year of turbo legacy, as for your question, im sure someone will answer it in a min.

Thanks!! So far I love the SS. It has it's issues but what 12 year old car won't.

This board is one of the best I've been a member of so far. Not much flaming and bickering, just answers and knowledge. And damn, is vrg3 a god or what?

Hah.

Welcome.

Redline 75W90NS is the fluid Redline recommends for our 5-speed transmissions and for our rear differentials, so that should work fine assuming your car's a stickshift.

Some people have complained that it worsened shift quality, though, as I'm sure you saw yourself when you read through the other threads.

Yes it is a manual. I did see that in some of those threads. I live in New engaland so the climate is always changing.

You said 75W-90NS is good for the tranny and rear diff. Not the front? Or is the front part of the transmission? I am new to AWD.

The gearbox and front differential share the same lubricant. In fact, when you drain the oil, you're draining it out the front diff's drain plug. And when you check or fill it, you're going through the front diff's dipstick tube.

OK, I see now. Thanks!

In my experiance, the synthetic fluid in the Subaru box worsened shifting speed. It also made my tranny more noisy. Probably because the high mialage of my transmission(240K), and its already worn syncros. My VW gearboxes love the stuff, no matter their age.(although they never last half the milage anyway)

Personally, Id replace it with dino oil. See how it feels. Either way you go, new oil is better than old.

Well I tried Redline 75/90 in the new(100,000m) 5 speed box I've just dropped in the rally car.Everything shifted well until it got hot and then the shift was not so good.
So wth a rallysprint brewing last weekend I dropped the oil and replaced it with Redline 80/140 and did the rally without and shift problems.
Finished first in class.

Cheers

Chris

That's one thing I've come to believe about these older boxes. They like thicker oil. I'm going to be dumping out the NEO 75w90, and putting in Swepco 80w90 hopefully within the week.

Well I put the swepco in and first impression is pretty good. I will definitely need more time to give it a full run down.

The swepco fluid is blue, and is thicker and stickier then then the NEO.

I'll update after I've had some time to do some more driving.

We generally don't recommend using synthetic gear oil in Subaru transmissions with standard gears, baulk rings, etc.

I've seen too many people experience accelerated baulk ring wear with synthetics. Sometimes it will hide a grind temporarily, but in the long run it seems to do more harm than good.

-Mike