RE: Redlinin'

[Todd Phenneger <phen9461@uidaho.edu>]

> At 02:16 AM 12/9/99 -0800, Todd Phenneger wrote:
> Kinda maybe. AFAIK, MTL is not marketed as a low temp version of
> MT-90. MTL is designed for synchromesh manual transmissions and
> does that job very well. And even though it is generally perfect for
> transmissions it's not really up to high pressure differential service,
> especially for tweaked cars. At GL-4,  MTL is also a tick shy of
> Audi's own GL requirement for the transaxle.

I'll buy that.  But the Redline Rep I talked to said the MTL was also GL-5
compliant.  I never checked the bottle though.  Guess I should
have.  Well, I guess he wasnt a Rep.  Just supposedly GPR's knowledgeable
Redline guy.  Moth the MTL and MT-90 are designed for synchromesh Manual
trannys hence the MT-designation.  The difference is the weight as you
also said.
  Anyhow, if you hit the track a lot then maybe MT-90 is a better bet. But
for some of us that drive in cold climates, I doubt in day to day driving
youd over Tax the MTL.  

> I used MTL in my first transaxle. It has very nice shifting characteristics,
> I'll agree, but the tranny eventually started making ugly bearing noises.
> The MT-90 in the current rebuilt unit makes the shifting a bit less
> silky because there is a little less friction available to operate the synchro
> cones. However, the box is holding up very well under fairly hard use.

Hmmm,  that surprises me.  Usually those bearing noises go Away after
adding Redline. :-)  No seriously, I spose thats possible that the MTL
caused that.  But I've never heard of anyone around this area having
problems with it.  ANd you live in a similar area.  In my ur-q I'll run
MT-90 as it will see the track often and not be driven in the winter
much.  But the 4ktq I run MTL in.  But I may switch when I start
Rallying.  For obvious reasons. :-)

> IF you had the discipline to change your gear oil seasonally, perhaps
> MTL in the coldest part of the winter would be a reasonable choice.
> That's an expensive proposition with Redline gear lube though.
> On the other hand, I have not experienced any increase in shifting
> effort with MT-90 during the winter months in Colorado. In fact it
> seems to me that MT-90 should shift even better cold. Any viscosity
> increase should start to operate the synchromesh more effectively.
> Waddaya think?

	Hmm.  I spose thats possible.  MT-90 will work just fine in the
cold (althought I still prefer MTL) but if it really does contribute to
more wear then maybe MT-90 is a better choice.  Anyone else care to
comment on this???
	Thanks for the input.
l8r
   Todd