Fiat Dino Forum (FDF)

Dear Dino 2400 drivers,

some news about transmission oil for our ZF S5-18 box which is usually rather notchy and relatively hard to shift, especially in comparison with the Fiat 2000.

My box has been overhauled by ZF classic, they recommended to fill Castrol B75W: not very nice to shift, furthermore has Castrol termindated the production.

It has to be said that the ZF S5-18 needs rather thin oil (similar to some Getrag boxes), so a standard 75w90 GL4 is not suitable, viscosity is too high.
The Tutela ZC-90 as originally recommended by Fiat does definitely not fit, was only used because it was available in the Fiat service organisation.


My next try was Redline MTL 75W80, significantly better to shift, but slightly leaking (Ester based), I drove it for approx. 1000 km.

Now I changed to Amsoil "Manual Synchromesh 5W30" - so far the best oil I ever had in my coupe. Nice shift, similar to an Alfa 105 or Fiat 124 spider.
Really a joy to drive.

Hello all,
Thanks, Ribolla for the tip on Getrag tranny oil. I've got a couple of quarts of Amsoil 5/30 MTF and I'm going to give it a try! I'll try to let folks know how my seat-of-the-pants trial turns out. I'd be delighted to get rid of some of stiff shifting from my Getrag,
This feels to me like a pretty big change! I've been using Redline MT-90. If Ribolla or any one else out there has feedback, I'd be happy to hear about it. I'll watch carefully for leaks in the tranny or any other negative events.
Thanks once again, Ed

Hello Ed,
The Redline MT 90 does definitely not fit to our 2400 trannys, viscosity is far to high.
The correct redline would be MTL 75W80.
Looking forward to hearing from your experiences with Amsoil Synchromesh 5w30.
I would estimate you really will feel the difference after 200 or 300 km („memory-effect“)
All the best
Ribolla

Hi Ribolla,
That Amsoil really seems to smooth out my Getrag! I'll have to confess that I'm very suggestible at times, but...It really seems a change for the good! No downside that I've yet detected. I will keep using the Amsoil, and keep you posted. The 1-2 upshift is really nice, and 5th gear seems to have stopped buzzing!
I would enjoy hearing about anyone's experience!
Ed