Redline MT-90

I'm mainly just hoping it will "loosen up" some when shifting it right after a cold start.
I realize that it will always be tighter when "cold" before it's up to operating temp. Maybe with some more miles it will loosen up more. Only just now getting somewhat broken in with 2,000 miles.

On a previous vehicle I saw improvements in shifting smoothness after changing the fluid type so I figured why not try it since multiple guys here said to try Redline MT90.

 

Do not cheap out on the pump. I did and by the time I was done I had MT 90 in my arm pit and a broken cheap pump. I had to hose clamp the hose on to a normal 90wt jug cap and squeeze it in, not fun. I also drained it into my oil catch tub. It splattered everywhere draining it. I would recommend pulling the plug and running it into something deep like a coffee can or some sort of tub you can hold up there.

 

Gonna try the sneaky Pete pump I linked above. I have a deep, round drain pan that should work well.

 

Little OT but have noticed Gear Oil is starting to come in bags instead of bottles, seems like a great idea for getting into tight areas.

 

The MT's smooth out quite a bit as you get more miles on it. Mine is very smooth now at about 8500 miles. I also changed my trans oil about 1000 miles ago to Amsoil. Amsoil made the shifts even smoother/less clunky.

 

I did notice my very first 1 to 2 shift of the morning (when everything is dead cold) has gotten less crunchy/notchy. It was a little cringy for a while. Now it's just notchy feeling, not really cringy. Lol.

 

The first 1->2 shift is still crunchy for me two years later. I've gotten used to it so it can be avoided...
Going to synthetic wasn't a significant improvement for the morning 1-2 crunchiness, but I did notice improvement in general.

 

Did you switch to Redline MT90?

Sounds like your trans has the same cold operation characteristics as mine. I suppose it's normal and nothing to worry about. I ain't mad about it getting a little smoother so far, though! Hopefully the new trans oil will help some. If not, no big deal.

 

Yes, tried MT-90 for about 1000mi and then Motorcraft

$33 XTM5QS Ford Genuine Ford Fluid XT-M5-QS Full Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid - 1 Quart , black

XTM5QS. I think the Motorcraft is a bit smoother overall, but there's not a huge difference. The Motorcraft comes in standard quart bottles from rockauto for about $15ea...

 

I got the slippery pete pump, two actually. One for the Redline MT-90 in a gallon bottle, the other for the

$29 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w-90 quarts for diffs. The pump comes with a couple different threaded bits for different bottle mouth sizes.

I also noticed a slight improvement with shifting, changed my fluids at 30k.

 

I went with an Ace Hardware 2 gallon garden sprayer for under 20 bucks. Replace the plastic wand with a Chapin brass wand with a curved end for easier access to fill plugs. Give it around 40-50 pumps pull the trigger and it will transfer around 2 qts in less than 5 minutes.