I just overhauled my 94 ex Manual trans.

I have been doing some research on waht oil to put in and i have been coming up pretty dry.

Some say reg 10w30 motor oil

Some say gow ith synthetics/ synthetic blends

Some say Redline this and that. etc

I just want to know what would be the best gear oil to put in my car for moderate to hard driving.

Im on the road a lot and want a "heavier duty" oil.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

I would just go with what Honda recommends- Honda MTF . I think it's about 3-4 bucks a quart, I don't know forgot how much they were, but affordable.

 

a heavier-duty oil won't make it a heavier-duty transmission.

like scrambled_EG said, go with the MTF from Honda. this is the fluid the designers had in mind when they built this transmission.

10w30 works fine... if you don't have access to Honda MTF.

 

The owner's manual will say motor oil, but the owner's manual was written before motor oil chemistry changed. Today's motor oil lacks a zinc additive, because zinc was shortening the lives of catalytic converters. But trannies need the zinc additive. Given the choice between motor oil and Honda MTF, definitely use Honda MTF. Honda MTF also needs to be changed about half as often, so the long-term cost is about the same. Writeup on this: http://honda.lioness.googlepages.com/manualtrannyfluid

 

Red Line MT-90 is THE one!!!

I've put a half-million (street/strip/highway) miles on CiViC trannies running Red Line oil - never had a problem - and they always shift like a wet dream!

Ten years ago, I used to run MTL (70W80) in the winter and MT-90 (75W90) in the summer - same chemistry, different viscosity. These days, I just run Red Line MT-90 year-around. (Mobil 1 10W30 HM / Purolator PureONE filter for the motor)

It's kinda pricey ($13/qt). I get it at a local speed shop (Loper's in Phoenix). I could get MT-90 online for $10/qt but I l-o-v-e driving into Loper's parking lot with my lowered Vic' LoL! Been going there for years, but since I don't own a fuel funny car (or whatever) they always treat me like a punk.

Anyway...

D-series take somewhat less than 2 quarts. B-series take somewhat more than 2 quarts. (I've owned both)

Sooo... You're only talking $26(2 qts) - $39(3 qts) for the best synthetic tranny oil made. Why take a chance on that other stuff?!?!?

Whatever you buy... MAKE SURE TO USE API GRADE GL-4 TRANNY OIL!!! Why?

Vics share the same oil for the transmission and differential. Transmissions and differentials (in a perfect world) require two different kinds of oil - but you don't have that option - so any oil you use is going to be a compromise. GL-4 rated tranny oil is what CiViCs need. Use anything else, and it's 'slow death'...

If you want a slick shifting tranny that will last forever, use GL-4 tranny oil!

And, if you want the best GL-4 tranny oil money will buy, get Red Line MT-90 (Google Search)!

 

Well damn, thats pretty hard to argue. But i just bought the HONDA MTF. :[

 

How often do you need to change your tranny oil?

@OP: I've also heard that GM Synchromesh works great.

 

I used Castrol 20w-40 with the anti sludge formula.. My car was driven very hard and I have a Mugen 1.5 way LSD.. Worked fine, transmission didn't have any issues.

 

honda MTF and your Done.

 

Honda MTF It is