trans fluid for A-518
#1158659
01/16/12 05:07 PM
01/16/12 05:07 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 653 montana
pjc360
OP
mopar
|
OP
mopar
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 653
montana
|
Got a non lock up A-518 and am trying to decide wich atf to run, i wanted to run atf+4 originally but the guy who re-built my transmission told me that atf+4 has alot of friction modifyers that my transmission does not need because i have no converter clutch. I have always been told that type f is the best atf to run in a torque flight, my old man ran type f in the 727 in his 70 plymouth cuda 440-6 pak car and in his 77 dodge truck and had great results, he always told me that you want a firm shift not a sloppy shift. I realize the A-518 has an overdrive unit so it is not exactly the same as a 727 but they are very simliar, is there any reason type f would perform any different in a non lock up A-518 as it does in the 727? I was considering the valvoline max life atf, but the owner of the transmission shop who re-built my transmission told me to stay away from synthetics and type f, in fact he said anyone who runs type f in a torque flight is an idiot... wich i had to strongly disagree, my old man ran type f in them and he was the smartest mopar guy i knew, unfortunetly he has passed away so i can not ask him bout running type f in the non lock up A-518. The owner of the transmission shop told me to run ether dexronIII or atf+3 or a non synthetic universal fluid, wich is what i think they put in my transmission. So what fluid do i use? i have a good sized transmission fluid cooler mounted on outside of my raditor and i plan on getting a transgo shift kit installed, with that being said should i run dexronIII, type f. or valvoline max life even tho max life is a synthetic and my builder told me not to use a synthetic atf? i dont know why he said no to synthetics he didnt explain himself on that he just said no synthetics no type f no +4 and said if you can still find +3 you can use that, if not put a non synthetic universal fluid in it or dexronIII and call it good. He told me to flush all the fluid out and change the filter and fill up with new fluid after 1000 miles, i am currently at 600 sum miles, so its coming up and i need to pick a fluid to run, thanks
|
|
|
Re: trans fluid for A-518
[Re: pjc360]
#1158661
01/16/12 06:03 PM
01/16/12 06:03 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 26,530 Rio Linda, CA
John_Kunkel
Too Many Posts
|
Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 26,530
Rio Linda, CA
|
Type F lacks the lubricating properties needed for the overdrive. Dexron/Mercon would be appropriate for a non-lockup 518.
The INTERNET, the MISinformation superhighway
|
|
|
Re: trans fluid for A-518
[Re: John_Kunkel]
#1158662
01/16/12 07:49 PM
01/16/12 07:49 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,478 Kalispell Mt.
HotRodDave
I Live Here
|
I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,478
Kalispell Mt.
|
I have always ran type-f in my re-built trannys for my self and customers and have not had one come back. I do always drill holes for extra lube to the OD mabey that is why or mabey I am lucky I probably just do one t-flite a month, Mr, Kunkle on the other hand I think does a lot more I am always willing to learn a little something...
I am not causing global warming, I am just trying to hold off a impending Ice Age!
|
|
|
Re: trans fluid for A-518
[Re: pjc360]
#1158665
01/17/12 12:56 PM
01/17/12 12:56 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,282 A gulag near you.
JohnRR
I Win
|
I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,282
A gulag near you.
|
Quote:
or should i just run regular dexronIII because thats what he says to run?
This is your answer .
|
|
|
Re: trans fluid for A-518
[Re: JohnRR]
#1158666
01/17/12 01:28 PM
01/17/12 01:28 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,478 Kalispell Mt.
HotRodDave
I Live Here
|
I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,478
Kalispell Mt.
|
the problem with the synthetics and +4 is they are all desighned with lots of friction modifiers, those modifiers make the clutches slip when they engage. Slipping clutches makes for softer shifts so the manufactures are useing it to make softer shifts because softer shifts sell cars. On the other hand slipping clutches also mean burning clutches especially at elevated power levals. Type-F has the highest friction and helps the clutches grab faster and slip less. It is somewhat of a trade off because the pistons, gears, bearings and valves will see less wear from higher friction. In my experiance the best trade off is to make the clutches last longer and increase lube to mechanical stuff through minor mods in the fluid flow circuits.
I am not causing global warming, I am just trying to hold off a impending Ice Age!
|
|
|
Re: trans fluid for A-518
[Re: pjc360]
#1158672
01/17/12 11:30 PM
01/17/12 11:30 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,478 Kalispell Mt.
HotRodDave
I Live Here
|
I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,478
Kalispell Mt.
|
Most of the bad overdrives I have seen it was bad clutches not hard parts although I have seen one of the big roller bearings in the back go bad and one set of planataries go bad in one. I run type-f in my personal stuff and tow with the OD all the time Dexron III is close but not quite as slippery as mopar +4. Either way you choose I don't think it is a huge differance, I just like giving mine the extra little edge and yes, you can feel the differance in going from +4 to type-F while dexron III will be in the middle.
I am not causing global warming, I am just trying to hold off a impending Ice Age!
|
|
|
Re: trans fluid for A-518
[Re: pjc360]
#1158673
01/18/12 12:02 AM
01/18/12 12:02 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,315 MOPAR HEADQUARTERS IN ALDEN NY
hemigod426
top fuel
|
top fuel
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,315
MOPAR HEADQUARTERS IN ALDEN NY
|
do not run royal purple or redline there synthetics are too slipery for puter trans, if you can find +3 from a dodge dealer that would be the best, if not cheapest +4. if you run dextron III you must use with +4 additive also found at dodge dealer.
MOPAR OR NO CAR
|
|
|
Re: trans fluid for A-518
[Re: pjc360]
#1158675
01/18/12 01:36 AM
01/18/12 01:36 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,478 Kalispell Mt.
HotRodDave
I Live Here
|
I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,478
Kalispell Mt.
|
I have ran it in one non-lock-up 518 (non a lot of them out there)and it was behind a very serious SB stroker and that was like 6 years ago and it is still working fine. I run it in my 97 46RE (electronic 518) and it is fine.
I am not causing global warming, I am just trying to hold off a impending Ice Age!
|
|
|
Re: trans fluid for A-518
[Re: pjc360]
#1158677
01/18/12 07:55 PM
01/18/12 07:55 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 26,530 Rio Linda, CA
John_Kunkel
Too Many Posts
|
Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 26,530
Rio Linda, CA
|
Here's the difference, the planetaries in the 727 are only running in the first two gears and can survive without much lube. The 518 planetaries are running almost constantly and need better lubrication.
Those who are sucessfully running type F in OD transmissions illustrate the old adage..."There's a difference between doing it right and doing it wrong and getting away with it".
As stated earlier ATF+4 is formulated for lockup converter clutches, not needed in a non-lockup 518 but it won't do any harm if you're not making tons of power.
The INTERNET, the MISinformation superhighway
|
|
|
|
|