Gearbox oil
It's time to change the gearbox oil in my 91 turbo again. It's been a while, so searched to see what people are using now. And found a post from someone that's a member on here recommending Castrol 75w/140 for road use. So any one have any thoughts for or against?
I don’t know anything about the castrol oil, but a lot of people recommend redline MT90. I did a fluid change in my car with it recently and I’ve been happy with how it performs
‘83 Platinum N/A 944
A couple of gearbox guys were very anti about the redline on another forum. It's more the 140 part of the viscosity than the brand I'm curious about.Poorsche44 wrote: Fri Nov 07, 2025 5:49 pm I don’t know anything about the castrol oil, but a lot of people recommend redline MT90. I did a fluid change in my car with it recently and I’ve been happy with how it performs
Redline MT-90 has been great for me for the past 60 000 miles (with a change in between obviously). I'm in a colder climate, things might be different in racing conditions in warmer climates.
BTW if the car has the stock limited slip differential a mix of two different oils is mandated.
BTW if the car has the stock limited slip differential a mix of two different oils is mandated.
944 NA ROW -86
A post from Kevin Gross on r.e.n.n.l.i.s.t.... He rebuilds transaxles for racers and has done a bunch of teardowns, so pay attention.....
To address the original question, the fluids I recommend to my customers are:
Mobil 1 Syn Gear Lube 75W-90
Motul Gear 300 75W-90
Porsche part number 000-043-305-05 (or supersession)
Lubrication Engineers 9919 Monolec Syn
These are all fine choices. There are other GL5 fluids out there which I'm sure are fine, but I do not have enough customer experience with them to say yea or nay. I recommend the Lubrication Engineers fluid for race use.
I will not warranty any transmission that runs Red Line or Swepco fluid.
__________________
Kevin
Catellus Engineering
To address the original question, the fluids I recommend to my customers are:
Mobil 1 Syn Gear Lube 75W-90
Motul Gear 300 75W-90
Porsche part number 000-043-305-05 (or supersession)
Lubrication Engineers 9919 Monolec Syn
These are all fine choices. There are other GL5 fluids out there which I'm sure are fine, but I do not have enough customer experience with them to say yea or nay. I recommend the Lubrication Engineers fluid for race use.
I will not warranty any transmission that runs Red Line or Swepco fluid.
__________________
Kevin
Catellus Engineering
- Tom
- Site Admin
- Posts: 8933
- Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2021 2:04 pm
- Location: Silicon Valley, CA
- Has thanked: 932 times
- Been thanked: 3995 times
- Contact:
Hmmm... I just put Swepco 202 into my Kevin Gross-Built transaxle.... I guess I just voided the warranty.gb951 wrote: Sat Nov 08, 2025 7:12 am A post from Kevin Gross on r.e.n.n.l.i.s.t.... He rebuilds transaxles for racers and has done a bunch of teardowns, so pay attention.....
To address the original question, the fluids I recommend to my customers are:
Mobil 1 Syn Gear Lube 75W-90
Motul Gear 300 75W-90
Porsche part number 000-043-305-05 (or supersession)
Lubrication Engineers 9919 Monolec Syn
These are all fine choices. There are other GL5 fluids out there which I'm sure are fine, but I do not have enough customer experience with them to say yea or nay. I recommend the Lubrication Engineers fluid for race use.
I will not warranty any transmission that runs Red Line or Swepco fluid.
__________________
Kevin
Catellus Engineering
Very curious statement from @Catellus Engineering about Swepco, given its reputation in the Porsche world... ??
Kevin did 1 of mine as well about a year ago. I trust his expertise and knowledge. I am using Mobil 1.Tom wrote: Sat Nov 08, 2025 9:10 amHmmm... I just put Swepco 202 into my Kevin Gross-Built transaxle.... I guess I just voided the warranty.gb951 wrote: Sat Nov 08, 2025 7:12 am A post from Kevin Gross on r.e.n.n.l.i.s.t.... He rebuilds transaxles for racers and has done a bunch of teardowns, so pay attention.....
To address the original question, the fluids I recommend to my customers are:
Mobil 1 Syn Gear Lube 75W-90
Motul Gear 300 75W-90
Porsche part number 000-043-305-05 (or supersession)
Lubrication Engineers 9919 Monolec Syn
These are all fine choices. There are other GL5 fluids out there which I'm sure are fine, but I do not have enough customer experience with them to say yea or nay. I recommend the Lubrication Engineers fluid for race use.
I will not warranty any transmission that runs Red Line or Swepco fluid.
__________________
Kevin
Catellus Engineering![]()
Very curious statement from @Catellus Engineering about Swepco, given its reputation in the Porsche world... ??
- Latitude48
- Posts: 352
- Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2021 7:08 pm
- Location: Seattle Area
- Has thanked: 102 times
- Been thanked: 109 times
- Contact:
Swepco may be fine for use in warm California but in the Seattle area it was awful in the winter as it made shifting very hard until everything warmed up. I don't remember exactly what oil I have in the S2 but I think it's Redline 75W90.Tom wrote: Sat Nov 08, 2025 9:10 amHmmm... I just put Swepco 202 into my Kevin Gross-Built transaxle.... I guess I just voided the warranty.gb951 wrote: Sat Nov 08, 2025 7:12 am A post from Kevin Gross on r.e.n.n.l.i.s.t.... He rebuilds transaxles for racers and has done a bunch of teardowns, so pay attention.....
To address the original question, the fluids I recommend to my customers are:
Mobil 1 Syn Gear Lube 75W-90
Motul Gear 300 75W-90
Porsche part number 000-043-305-05 (or supersession)
Lubrication Engineers 9919 Monolec Syn
These are all fine choices. There are other GL5 fluids out there which I'm sure are fine, but I do not have enough customer experience with them to say yea or nay. I recommend the Lubrication Engineers fluid for race use.
I will not warranty any transmission that runs Red Line or Swepco fluid.
__________________
Kevin
Catellus Engineering![]()
Very curious statement from @Catellus Engineering about Swepco, given its reputation in the Porsche world... ??
Tom Pultz
- 1989 944 Turbo - Guards Red/Linen
- 1990 944 S2 - Guards Red/Black
- 2003 Audi 1.8TQ - Denim Blue/Black
- 2003 Honda Civic Si - Vivid Blue/Black
- 2023 VW Golf R Base - Lapiz Blue/Titan Black
- 1989 944 Turbo - Guards Red/Linen
- 1990 944 S2 - Guards Red/Black
- 2003 Audi 1.8TQ - Denim Blue/Black
- 2003 Honda Civic Si - Vivid Blue/Black
- 2023 VW Golf R Base - Lapiz Blue/Titan Black
