Trans & Diff fluid recomendations - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Hoosier1LE · 07-18-2016, 07:33 AM

I want to upgrade the fluids in both the trans and diff hoping for smoother shifting and hopefully all around better performance. Looking for info on recommendations for both. Also how difficult would it be to do on my own? I am no Mr. Goodwrench, but do know how to turn a wrench. Thanks for all help and suggestions that you guys have.

Freddy G · 07-18-2016, 07:57 AM

Pretty easy, takes longer to put her on the jack stand than changing them. About to do mine soon, I will be going with royal purple synchromax for trans, still debating on diff, might stay with factory.

Olddudesrule · 07-18-2016, 09:19 AM

Like Freddy said, easy peasy. I used RP for the tranny and the diff, and had both done in about an hour, taking my time. Both are easy to drain and refill, but be careful with the tranny. The fluid is very thin, and if you don't have the drain pan in the right place, and it's sides aren't high enough to contain the initial onslaught of fluid draining, you will have a freaking mess on your nice garage floor. You don't need to ask how I know....done it a dozen times, and still "f" it up from time to time...

Get a hand pump from your local auto parts store for the diff, as it's hard to gravity feed the diff fluid due to the angle the bottle will be at fill hole.

Hoosier1LE · 07-19-2016, 12:45 PM

That makes 2 votes for Royal Purple. Does any one else have any experience with other brands?

20152SS1Le · 07-19-2016, 01:12 PM

I use redline for both. Can't go wrong with either one.

CreeperRS · 07-19-2016, 01:41 PM

I just did mine 2 weeks ago. I used M1 for engine, OEM for tranny and diff. The car runs great. Haven't tried anything else for tranny and diff.

arkentect · 07-19-2016, 02:32 PM

Just did mine last night. My v6 transmission is different than yours and takes different fluid but my rear diff is the same. I threw royal purple gear oil 75w-90 w/ friction modifier in both and so far there hasn't been any noise and the transmission shifts 10x better. Your transmission will take a different fluid though

drago · 07-19-2016, 04:18 PM

red line for both

its a syn · 07-19-2016, 04:29 PM

I went with Amsoil, no problems.

locktyght · 07-19-2016, 04:43 PM

To those of you who have done it, what are the fluid capacities of the trans and the rear?

CreeperRS · 07-19-2016, 05:00 PM

Owners manual says 4.2 qt for transmission and 1.0 qt for differential.

its a syn · 07-19-2016, 05:25 PM

1 QT. rear if you have a good pump. I buy 2 because it is a bugger to refill. My little transfer pump won't get the whole qt in. It is not a hard process to do yourself though.

arkentect · 07-20-2016, 08:41 AM

just buy 6 quarts and you should be fine to do both the trans and the diff. The rear takes every bit of 1 quart before it starts to dribble out

07-18-2016, 07:33 AM	#1
Hoosier1LE Drives: 2013 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Portage,In Posts: 103 View My Garage	Trans & Diff fluid recomendations I want to upgrade the fluids in both the trans and diff hoping for smoother shifting and hopefully all around better performance. Looking for info on recommendations for both. Also how difficult would it be to do on my own? I am no Mr. Goodwrench, but do know how to turn a wrench. Thanks for all help and suggestions that you guys have.

07-18-2016, 09:19 AM	#3
Olddudesrule Resident nomad Drives: 2014 Summit White 1SS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,765	Like Freddy said, easy peasy. I used RP for the tranny and the diff, and had both done in about an hour, taking my time. Both are easy to drain and refill, but be careful with the tranny. The fluid is very thin, and if you don't have the drain pan in the right place, and it's sides aren't high enough to contain the initial onslaught of fluid draining, you will have a freaking mess on your nice garage floor. You don't need to ask how I know....done it a dozen times, and still "f" it up from time to time... Get a hand pump from your local auto parts store for the diff, as it's hard to gravity feed the diff fluid due to the angle the bottle will be at fill hole. __________________ Sold: 2007 Z06 2002 Viper GTS/ACR 2003 Z06 1965 FFR Cobra 2012 Nissan 370Z ADM LSA Stage II, Roto-Fab CAI, Kooks LTH/HFC's, Phastek CC, ported TB, Mishimoto radiator and oil cooler, BC Racing ER Series CO's, JPSS 32mm Black Magic rear bar, JPSS front inserts, R1 Concepts Premier slotted rotors/Goodrich SS lines, Schroth ASM harness, MGW flatstick, Brey-Krause HB, Tuned by NicD, at Cordes Performance Racing.

07-19-2016, 01:12 PM	#5
20152SS1Le Drives: 2015 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: NY Posts: 294	I use redline for both. Can't go wrong with either one. __________________ 2015 1LE Red Rock- Recaros, NAV, and NPP BMR 1" lowering springs and Bilstein B6 monotube shocks/struts Rotofab CAI Elite engineering catch can Texas Speed 1 7/8 long tube headers and Cats GPI Rod mod and ported intake Ported throttle body JRE tune

07-19-2016, 01:41 PM	#6
CreeperRS Drives: 20’ Chevrolet Camaro 2SS 1LE Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,577	I just did mine 2 weeks ago. I used M1 for engine, OEM for tranny and diff. The car runs great. Haven't tried anything else for tranny and diff. __________________

07-19-2016, 02:32 PM	#7
arkentect Drives: 2010 Camaro SGM 1LT M6 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 1,630	Just did mine last night. My v6 transmission is different than yours and takes different fluid but my rear diff is the same. I threw royal purple gear oil 75w-90 w/ friction modifier in both and so far there hasn't been any noise and the transmission shifts 10x better. Your transmission will take a different fluid though __________________ Arkentect's Build Thread!! - UPSTATE C5 MEMBER 2010 SGM M6 1LT - SOLD Current - 2009 C6 Corvette Z51

07-18-2016, 07:57 AM	#2
Freddy G Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS 1LE /2011 2LT Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Toronto Ontario Posts: 422	Pretty easy, takes longer to put her on the jack stand than changing them. About to do mine soon, I will be going with royal purple synchromax for trans, still debating on diff, might stay with factory.

07-19-2016, 12:45 PM	#4
Hoosier1LE Drives: 2013 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Portage,In Posts: 103 View My Garage	That makes 2 votes for Royal Purple. Does any one else have any experience with other brands?

07-19-2016, 04:18 PM	#8
drago Drives: 2015 1le Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: tennessee Posts: 94 View My Garage	red line for both

07-19-2016, 04:29 PM	#9
its a syn B.O.D. 02/16/10 Drives: 2010 SGM Sp. Edition 2017 RS Conver Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Albia,Iowa Posts: 3,959 View My Garage	I went with Amsoil, no problems. __________________

07-19-2016, 04:43 PM	#10
locktyght Drives: 2023 LT2 Redline Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Mont Belvieu Tx Posts: 713	To those of you who have done it, what are the fluid capacities of the trans and the rear? __________________ 2015 1LE sold 2016 2SS sold 2023 LT2 Redline

07-19-2016, 05:00 PM	#11
CreeperRS Drives: 20’ Chevrolet Camaro 2SS 1LE Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,577	Owners manual says 4.2 qt for transmission and 1.0 qt for differential. __________________

07-19-2016, 05:25 PM	#12
its a syn B.O.D. 02/16/10 Drives: 2010 SGM Sp. Edition 2017 RS Conver Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Albia,Iowa Posts: 3,959 View My Garage	1 QT. rear if you have a good pump. I buy 2 because it is a bugger to refill. My little transfer pump won't get the whole qt in. It is not a hard process to do yourself though. __________________

07-20-2016, 08:41 AM	#13
arkentect Drives: 2010 Camaro SGM 1LT M6 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 1,630	just buy 6 quarts and you should be fine to do both the trans and the diff. The rear takes every bit of 1 quart before it starts to dribble out __________________ Arkentect's Build Thread!! - UPSTATE C5 MEMBER 2010 SGM M6 1LT - SOLD Current - 2009 C6 Corvette Z51