It's about that time again: Engine oil and filter, and transmission oil.

I've been using Amsoil TSO 0w-30 with an Amsoil EaO13 filter, and Amsoil MTG (75w-90 GL-4) in the tranny. I'm happy with the TSO and see no need to change, but I want to give Redline MT-90 a shot -- my previous trannies have LOVED the Amsoil stuff, but for some reason this one isn't quite as nice. It's been said that two transmissions can come off the same production line consecutively and still prefer different oils, so I think switching oils is worth a shot.

That got me thinking about trying Redline engine oil as well (probably 5w-30). So, that's what I need help deciding: Stick with Amsoil TSO (which I've been very happy with), or try Redline 5w-30? The cost is virtually the same either way -- I'm absolutely set on an Amsoil EaO filter, so I'll have to order from two different places whatever I do.

 

Trans, defintly, engine, it shouldnt matter, both are great

 

Redline MT-90 is great stuff. I've been running it for 2 years and shifts are great. Noticeable improvement over stock, not sure how it compares to Amsoil. Definitely stiffer in cold weather but totally driveable even with a short shifter. I'm impressed.

 

IIRC, people who have tried both MT-90 and Amsoil prefer, Amsoil over the MT-90...I personally only tried MT-90...and it works great as is...

 

Thanks, guys. But as I said, I've already decided to try MT-90 this time and was looking for an opinion on Redline engine oil vs. the Amsoil Series 2000 0w-30...


EDIT: Opening post edited for clarity...

 

Finally voted because I'm leaning toward Redline 5w-30 just out of sheer curiosity. That oil's HTHS of 3.8 (vs. TSO's 3.3) is just too hard to ignore, especially when its cold flow properties are not a lot worse...

Any other opinions?

 

Aw, come on. No other opinions?

 

As you know, viscosity (much like size) isn't everything. If it were, any 40 weight oil would offer better protection than any 30 weight oil...and we know that's simply not true.

I happened upon a test where Redline 20w-50 was compared to AMSOIL TRO 20w-50 in the Four-Ball Wear Test (ASTM D4172), 60 kg pressure @ 150°C, 1800 RPM, 1 hour. Oil Tested Wear Scar showed AMSOIL Series 2000 20W-50 (TRO) .44 mm, and Redline 20W-50 .73 mm . Thus, for the purposes of this test, AMSOIL demonstrated much better (about 65% better) wear protection than the Redline product...and that's significant.

I recognize you are considering going (have gone) from AMSOIL TSO (0w-30) to Redline 5w-30; but as you know, TSO and TRO are in the same family of AMSOIL lubricants and they both offer unsurpassed wear protection. The fact that Redline 5w-30 might have a slightly higher viscosity than TSO does not mean that it will provide better protection...the advantage of TSO over other products is that the lower viscosity provides maximum efficiency/fuel economy while still offering superior wear protection.

You probably know that Redline products are formulated with ester-based fluids. While esters excel in some specialty applications (such as in jet engines), they have been proven to be generally less friendly to automotive engine seals and they generally do not hold up as well as other synthetics for long-term use in automotive applications. However, with that said, Redline has been in business for a long time and just like anything else, they have a very loyal following of customers. Good luck with it :-)

 

MT-90 in my 03. No issues. Works fine.
I used Specialty Formulations before the shut down. That was the best. But no more.

 

Thanks for bumping this thread... I had forgotten to update it.

I did decide to go with Redline 5w-30 for the engine along with my MT-90 for the transmission. Long story short, the car seems to like it a lot, but not any more than it liked the Amsoil TSO and MTG. Maybe I'll do an oil analysis when this oil is done, but for now I can't say I got anything out of my experiment.