8.1 w/ allison tranny question

capsparky111 · February 1, 2005

I am thinking about changing the fluid in the tranny and would like to know if anyone was running it. And if so which flavor to use ??????????? I just switched over to amsoil in my harley and it does excellent so far. Any comments greatly appreciated

MIKE

woodpecker · February 2, 2005

i would't use it. amsoil is junk. the problem with synthetic oil is that it doesnt dissapate heat very well. it might take a while for it to get extremly hot but once it does look out. i was racing at pensacola fl one year' and a guy sponsered by amsoil. obviously running amsoil. melted a $5000 winters quick change rear end. within 50 laps. i have seen amsoil cause too much trouble. not worth it. get something you know works

whitesnake01 · February 2, 2005

My experience with AMSoil in the tranny and the rear end has been good. I do not race. I just tow my camper, sometimes in adverse conditions. I've redlined by tranny [4L80E] more than once (265F+) and have not seen any signficant shavings in the pan. I plan on switching over to AMSoil in my 05 Allison, when its time for the first full flush.

496 CUBIC INCHES · February 2, 2005

Does it meet the Dexron III requirements? If it does,you're ok to use it.

Personally I think Amsoil is overrated and overpriced. Amsoil is good stuff,but no better than Mobil 1. I use Mobil 1 synthetic ATF in my Allison. I like Mobil 1 because I can find it almost anywhere and its cheaper than Amsoil,while being just as good.

capsparky111 · February 2, 2005

Thanks for the replies ya'll have given it brings up some good points. 496 has probably hit a good point about availability I am having a dickens of a time trying to find amsoil locally.

Maybe I'll just run it in the harley and see how well it holds up. Well thanks for the info and I'll be hanging around for more.

mike

496 CUBIC INCHES · February 2, 2005

i would't use it. amsoil is junk. the problem with synthetic oil is that it doesnt dissapate heat very well. it might take a while for it to get extremly hot but once it does look out. i was racing at pensacola fl one year' and a guy sponsered by amsoil. obviously running amsoil. melted a $5000 winters quick change rear end. within 50 laps. i have seen amsoil cause too much trouble. not worth it. get something you know works

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you get ANY ATF extremely hot you'd better watch out. Heat is what kills automatic trannies.

woodpecker · February 2, 2005

that rearend also had a forced air cooler with a fan.

caremd99 · February 2, 2005

Make sure you use the correct AMSOIL in the Allison tranny. You want code ATD "Torque-Drive" not code ATF "Universal"

woodpecker · February 3, 2005

use amsoil if you want. but i am telling ya. it will and can cause alot of trouble fo ya. ever notice in the displays with the 2 gears, with 3 gears on top that the amsoil foams alot?

whitesnake01 · February 3, 2005

but i am telling ya. it will and can cause alot of trouble fo ya.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There is a big difference between "can" and "will". There is also a big difference between can cause problems under normal use and can cause problems in racing applications.

mamachala · February 4, 2005

Allison recommends using Trans-synd ? fluid which I think is synthetic. It is expensive , so it must be synthetic. You can get it at an Allison dealer, they also have cheaper trans filters than the Chevy dealer.

I had it in mine for about 6 months , then the tranny crapped out. No fault of the tranny, but a long story!

Jack