I've heard multiple opinions on the type of tranny fluid that goes in my 85 Trans Am T-5. I'm doing the T-5 swap and i dont know what kind of fluid to put in it.
I've heard ATF and then i've heard 75W-90 gear oil-- I dont know who to believe. Someone that knows for certain what type to put in, or that has an 85 TA w/a T-5 please advise. I greatly appreciate it, thanks

 

ATF is usually recomended, even in the repair manuals, as with most manual transmissions.

 

83-87 NON WORLD CLASS T5's get 75-90

88 and later World Class T5's get ATF ( GM ATF )







HTH

 

Use gear lube in that.

GM waffled back and forth several times on their fluid recommendations even when there were absolutely no parts changes. It seems that they were always trying to spec ATF in them, probably so they could squeeze out that last couple of molecules per light-year of gas mileage, as CAFE was a real problem for these cars. Personally, I ignore them (GM), they didn't make the trans anyway. The parts inside the trans dictate what lube they need, and GM's legalistic posturing on the subject is of no consequence.

I recommend gear lube for the 1st design, ATF for the 2nd design aka "World Class" (excuse me while I pule after typing that) although I have a 2nd design trans that came to me with Red Line MTL in it, and I've use Mobil 1 gear lube in it, and it's been fine for the time I've had it. I haven't put many miles on it myself though, probably not more than 45,000 or so, so it might be too early to tell. Also I've had it behind a really mild motor the whole time; a 400 with a 282S cam, then a XE274, then a XR282, that did 373 ft-lbs to the rear wheels at some point with one of those (I think the 274); and now a weenie little 305 that only does 214 HP and 282 ft-lbs at the wheels. So, all in all, I may not have put it to enough of a test to tell for sure.

 

RB83-- i really appreciate the time it took to write all that down for me, it definitely helped.. i'll be sure to use 75W-90 lube in it.. i did have one other question though--

I read somewhere that a guy had trouble with the tranny when it had 75w in it, when it was cold-- any suggestions? i dont need any more grief than i already will have doing the 700-r4 swap myself w/minimal experience

 

I forgot one other MAJOR question.. how much fluid does it take? i know you're supposed to fill it to the bottom of the hole or something, but how much should i buy beforehand to fill it with?

 

I've never really noticed any trouble like that, although it is slightly stiffer when it's below zero or something.

It takes most of 3 quarts.

 

sweet, thanks for your help
I found the article about the cold shifts


https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=163105