Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Best Fluid for my buck????

[Six_Man_Diesel]

Well, gotta put new fluid in the NV 4500. I really don't want to spend 54 bucks for Syntorque from Standard, is there anything that will work good for less?? And how much does it hold anyway??

 

[jheath]

I changed mine to H. P. gear lube from Mercruiser. I fix boats for a living so I thought if it can stand 500 to 600 horses from a big block then it could handle a Cummins. Outdrives have cone clutches that require a synthetic with less viscocity(or at least the higher perf. O/D's). The transmission immediatly shifted smoother than before. Best I can tell It takes about 3 to 4 qts. High Perf. gear lube is about 9 bucks a quart. I am trying it but I would get a second opinion.

 

[illflem]

There has been a lot of debate on this if you do a search. Cost should be irrelevant, it's not like it needs changing every 5k. I use Syntorque because the transmission was designed for it and it says right on the side of trans to use it. Makes my decision quite easy. You don't have to buy it from the dealer.

 

[Six_Man_Diesel]

Well, I'm poor, so I do watch my spending a little. Illflem, do you know where I can order 4 quarts of Syntorque for less than 54 bucks???

 

[illflem]

No. The best price I've found has been $14/qt = $56 per change. Look at this way, at least you aren't paying the $22+/qt the dealer wants.

 

[Six_Man_Diesel]

Found Castrol Syntec oil at Wal- Mart for 6 bucks a quart, gonna go with that.

 

[Roger rodbolt]

SLewis,

I know all about being poor so I have to mention the cost of new synchro's in your NV4500. SynTorque and SynTec are only similar in name. The Syntec is motor oil that might work in a NV5600 but your 5 speed has synchro's that are lined with a clutch material similar to what an automatic transmission uses for clutch material. If you are not going to use the recommended gear lube there is serveral better choices then Syntec. Joe Donnelly did a heat and friction test with several lubes, a few issues ago in the TDR magazine. I believe that most replacement lubes are in the 75W-90 range for the NV4500 and the NV5600 uses oil in the 5W-30 range. Nice thing about Walmart is their return policy