Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 5-Speed (NV4500) transmission Fluid Change

[crawler]

Gentlemen,



What fluid (synthetic) would you run in your 5 speed. I know what I run in the 6 speeds just not the 5 speed, but I have decided to change my fluid from dino to synthetic. Also on the 5 speed how much should it take to fill and what is the best way to drain and re-fill a 5 speed.



Thanks,

Wes

 

[CSpurgeon]

The only fluid recomended for the NV 4500 is Castoral SynTorq. Anything else I hear will eat the lined syncros.



It should hold 4 qts of oil, dealer cost is somewhere around $22. but you can order form the internet(don't remember who, do a search) for around $12-$14.



The drain is the bottom center bolt on either PTO cover. and the fill hole is a big 1" plug on the passenger side.

 

[Sean Flanagan]

Standard transmission (www.standardtransmission.com) has that magic mystery oil for a relatively reasonable price. Don't use anything but the Syntorq in the NV4500, according to the guys there at std. trans.

 

[Chris N5CWM]

At 25,600 miles I installed a pair of FastCoolers and refilled with Amsoil 75W90 Series 2000. Shifts as well if not better than it did with the SynTorq. 52,000 miles as of today.

Sorry I can't help you with the quantity. I installed the FastCoolers to add fluid capacity and surface area for cooling.

 

[John Berger]

You can spend the 26 bucks a quart for the Castrol stuff and you will get plenty of concurring opinion from some very intelligent members. I added a fastcooler and the filter kit Geno's sells, and added almost 6 quarts of Amsoil Series 2000 75W90. Although I added the fastcooler much later than the filter, I've run the Amsoil lube for prolly 3/4's of the life of my transmission (108,004 miles). I had the transmission off at 92K for install of the fully-splined mainshaft and the synchronizers, bearings and gears were all fine. The mechanic asked me what I used for lube and when I told him Amsoil, he said he wasn't surprised the transmission looked so good with that many miles. I've had my transmission temps as high as 242 degrees peak, and run it for long distances in the 210-215 degree range, towing my 5'ver. IMO there needs to be more than 4 quarts of lube in the 5 speed. That and regular maintenance are just as important as the lube you choose. Change out the transmission and differential lube every 30K at a minimum, depending upon driving conditions.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

The Castrol Syntorq that comes in the 5 speed is synthetic if that's the only reason you're changing it. If you want to put the same thing in I would suggest going to a Chevy dealer. Cheapest Dodge dealer I found was $19 a quart but the Chevy dealer was $12-14. Next time around I'll probably find a red-line or royal purple oil to stick in there.

 

[MLee]

Trans-oil

As stated above is correct, Standard trans is selling that oil for $44. 00 a gal. not sure on shipping cost. Look on the inspection tag on the trans by the fill hole, there, the part numbers are listed for the oil DC--GM. Why is the same oil cheaper from the other guys???? who knows.

Marv.