Redline vs. Swepco
04-02-2010, 06:42 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Redline vs. Swepco
No better way to start the weekend off than an oil question!
I see that Swepco oil has earned its place in the hallowed halls of Porschedom. I suspect the reputation was earned during the air cooled era and has carried on through. So when it came time to change my transaxle oil, I followed rank and ordered a gallon of Swepco 201 80W-90 for my upcoming transaxle service.
But as they say, an idle mind is the devils workshop, and I am starting to have my doubts.
I have owned a long sucession of Alfa Romeo GTV 6's which use a similar type of transaxle which also use Porsche synchronizers. In those boxes, Alfa owners typically use Redline 75W90NS, which is a synthetic. The Alfa's cold shifting is amazingly improved with redline gear oil over the regular dino transaxle oil.
Redline is synthetic and Swepco is not. With a 90,000 mile recommended change interval, Porsche must spec a synthetic too, athough I can't find an oil spec.
Am I missing something here?
I see that Swepco oil has earned its place in the hallowed halls of Porschedom. I suspect the reputation was earned during the air cooled era and has carried on through. So when it came time to change my transaxle oil, I followed rank and ordered a gallon of Swepco 201 80W-90 for my upcoming transaxle service.
But as they say, an idle mind is the devils workshop, and I am starting to have my doubts.
I have owned a long sucession of Alfa Romeo GTV 6's which use a similar type of transaxle which also use Porsche synchronizers. In those boxes, Alfa owners typically use Redline 75W90NS, which is a synthetic. The Alfa's cold shifting is amazingly improved with redline gear oil over the regular dino transaxle oil.
Redline is synthetic and Swepco is not. With a 90,000 mile recommended change interval, Porsche must spec a synthetic too, athough I can't find an oil spec.
Am I missing something here?
Last edited by Cefalu; 04-02-2010 at 07:06 PM. Reason: typo
04-02-2010, 07:05 PM
#3
Racer
Thread Starter
Hey, you're an air cooled guy now!! As I suspected!!
Swepco 210 is an 80W-140 oil. The 996's are factory filled with 75w90 Shell Transaxle Oil. I know its Friday and all, but it sounds like a cocktail, not a transaxle oil.
Swepco 210 is an 80W-140 oil. The 996's are factory filled with 75w90 Shell Transaxle Oil. I know its Friday and all, but it sounds like a cocktail, not a transaxle oil.
Last edited by Cefalu; 04-02-2010 at 07:14 PM. Reason: typos
04-02-2010, 07:11 PM
#4
Parts Specialist
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I am not kidding you - I ran the 210 and the car changed from a hard to shift in the morning notchy till warmed up thing to a smooth smooth smooth all day long, every shift, morning noon and night and yes, its a cocktail - I will say, it has a proven track record by MANY people
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04-02-2010, 08:42 PM
#8
Parts Specialist
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I know Dell uses DELVAC and swears by it at the track and in race cars... but the swepco was such an improvement instantly when I changed it - I actually called and talked to the service guys to see if I was dreaming or it was real....I ran it for about a year - it amazed me
04-02-2010, 11:27 PM
#11
Racer
Thread Starter
If I was making a martini I could figure out a splash. What's a splash in a transaxle?
BTW Pelican Parts's is who recommends the 201. But then again they also recommended a 13/16" spark plug socket when 996's use 5/8". I'm waiting for my RMA on that one.
BTW Pelican Parts's is who recommends the 201. But then again they also recommended a 13/16" spark plug socket when 996's use 5/8". I'm waiting for my RMA on that one.
04-03-2010, 08:09 PM
#13
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04-03-2010, 08:18 PM
#14
Parts Specialist
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Sorry but that write up turned me OFF to it - reason - "works well in 901, 915, G50, G96
Come on, works well?
And the early cars (I have heard) are not to be filled with synthetic, so I don't like that broad claim - albeit a works well
Come on, works well?
And the early cars (I have heard) are not to be filled with synthetic, so I don't like that broad claim - albeit a works well
03-15-2011, 04:22 PM
#15
Racer
Thread Starter
So here is my conclusion to this old thread. I could not tell the difference between the factory fill and redline. My gearbox was balky when cold either way. But I just put a new clutch in over the weekend and wow! That made a difference. The trans shifts much easier now.